The first Belgian Commandos, command by Captain G Danloy had their Commando training in August/September 1942 in the “Commando Basic Training Center” in Achnacarry in Scotland.

At the end of war 40-45, the Belgian Commandos went into their quarters in Germany in the area of Lübeck. Some Volunteers came to join the Commando unit in Germany and settled their Commando training at the edge of the Baltic-sea in Schleswig-Holstein. It is in the end of this training that the first post-war “A” Commando license were given.

On September 12, 1945, the Commando Unit leaves Germany to settle in Marche-les-Dames. The first incorporated voluntary conscripts who were conscripted in December 1945 joined at that time the Commandos in the citadel of Namur. The Lieutenants de Heusch and Liénard were charged to organise a Commando training camp (CTrg Cdo) at Marche-les-Dames in a natural wonderfully site. A surroundings area appropriate for the criteria of this particular training: rocks, stretches of smooth water, wooded and hilly area. Obstacle tracks are created and, in particular, the tracks “Stamina” and “Do or Die” of Achnacarry are reconstituted. They are helped by German prisoners provided by the Command of the Province of Namur and paid for that job.

The CTrg Cdo of Marche-les-Dames welcomes the first conscripts on February 16, 1946.

The Command of the camp is entrusted at that time to Lieutenant P. Beauprez.

On October 20, 1947, the CTrg Cdo is constituted as Independent Unit and Captain P. Roman takes the command of it. Consequently, the courses (license “A”, license “B”, etc…) will follow one another at the CTrg Cdo without a break.

Since the end of 1955, the whole personnel of the Para-Commando Regiment get its Commando license in Marche-les-Dames.

On March 1, 1979, the CTrg Cdo became the Instruction Center of all the officers, nom-commissioned officers and civils candidates Para-Commando. It is structured in four companies: three teaching Companies – Teaching Company and School Company in Wartet, the Camp Company and Staff and Services Company in Marche-les-Dames.

In April 1994, within the Para-Commando Brigade, it takes part in the mission “SILVER BACK” in Rwanda in order to evacuate foreign nationals.

Traditions.

The Standard of the 4th Battalion Command was entrusted to the CTrg Cdo on April 20, 1976.

On February 18, 2011, the Standard of the 4th Battalion Commando is awarded to the HQ of the Light Para-Commando Brigade at Marche-en-Famenne.

The CTrg Cdo receives a Flag (Royal School of Cadets) in its place.

On 3 July 2018, after the evolution of the Light Brigade in Special Operation Regiment in Heverlee, the Standard is awarded to the Special Operations Regiment (SO Regt).

On March 22, 2019, the Standard of the 4th Battalion Commando will be definitively awarded to the CTrg Cdo.

The Staff of the CTrg Cdo shall wear the beret of its unit of origin with the brigade registration.

Quarters.

Since its creation, the CTrg Cdo is based in MARCHE-LES-DAMES.

Until 1981, it is called quarters of ARENBERG.

 Since 23 October 1981, it has been renamed Quarters Lieutenant-General Pierre ROMAN.

The current assignments of the Commando Training Center.

Takes care of the specialized training of all Para-Commandos. The CTrg Cdo is also the Defence Competence Center for the overrun techniques of obstacles, close combat, sniping and survival. As the name clearly shows, the CTrg Cdo is a training center, for many units and schools of Defence, both Belgian and foreign, mainly focused on overstepping obstacles. The center supports the units of the SO Regt, in particular the 2nd Battalion of Commandos and the 3rd Battalion Parachutists, in the field of progress in the complex terrain (mountains, watercourses) during operations or training activities.

School Company.

Responsible for the statutory training.
She gives the Military Initiation Phase (MIF) for the volunteers Para-Commando provided for the combat units. It forms the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the units with Para-Commando capability in the techniques adapted to the missions for the Para-Commandos. She takes care of the physical, professional and technical training of the candidates Para-Commandos in the context of the special operations dedicated to the units of the SO Regt and to the units with Para-Commando capability.

Camp Company.

Responsible mainly for the complementary training.
She provides additional training for the benefit of the Ministry of Defence such as: close combat, front climber, teacher Commando, survival, camouflage and sniping. It is also tasked with forming the candidates Para-Commandos for crossing both rocks and watercourses. In addition, it supports the SO Regt and the units of the Land Component with auxiliary teams for the exceedances in the complex terrain (mountains, water obstacles…).

CTM (Cooperation Technique Military).

In the context of Military Assistance, the CTrg Cdo in MARCHE-LES-DAMES had in the recent years the task to train the instructors Commandos, mainly from the Great Lakes region, Ex ZAIRE, RUANDA and BURUNDI. The assistance with BURUNDI provided that at the end of the training in BELGIUM, to carry out an assistance in BURUNDI.

“You don’t get what you wish for … You get what you work for! “

Corps commanders

Corps warrant officers

Corps corporals