THE
TRAINING CENTRE
commando
marche-les-dames
WHERE TENACITY AND STRENGTH COME TOGETHER
CTC
WHERE THE PARACOMMANDOS GET TRAINED
Welcome to the Belgian Paracommandos. Step into the world of our elite unit and choose a life full of action, bravery, and adventure.
DURA LEX,
SED LEX
The Commando Training Centre in Marche-les-Dames is the heart of the physical and mental training of future paracommandos. This historic training centre, located in the rugged nature of the Meuse Valley, offers the ultimate terrain for extreme and challenging training.
From climbing and abseiling on steep rock faces to navigating through dense forests and overcoming tough obstacles – here, only the strongest are forged into true elite soldiers.
MARCHE-LES-DAMES: MORE THAN A TRAINING CENTRE
CTC
Commando Training Centre
The Commando Training Centre (often abbreviated as CTC) is the primary training facility for Belgian paracommandos and members of the Special Operations Regiment (SOR).
The centre has been continuously operational since 1947 and remains the historic and specialised training domain for commando units within the Belgian Armed Forces.
functions
EACH UNIT HAS ITS OWN SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS.
EACH UNIT FULFILS A DISTINCT ROLE WITHIN THE WHOLE. THROUGH SPECIALISATION AND CLOSE COOPERATION, THE DIFFERENT UNITS REINFORCE ONE ANOTHER, ENSURING EFFICIENCY, PRECISION AND OPERATIONAL STRENGTH. TOGETHER, THEY FORM A COHESIVE AND CAPABLE FORCE, READY TO RESPOND TO A WIDE RANGE OF MISSIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS.
Commando InstructOr
After an intensive 9-week training course, these instructors possess the knowledge and techniques to establish crossing methods themselves and safely guide personnel.
This qualification is open to anyone with a Commando A or B certificate.
LEAD CLIMBER
Building on the knowledge as a Commando Instructor, climbing here is done without top protection. The basic techniques and climbing quickly evolve into mountaineering and eventually into a qualification as a mountain leader during winter training.
TRAINING
INSTRUCTOR
The main focus of our Centre is the tactical and technical training of our future paracommandos. Our instructors give their best to shape the new recruits and meet the high physical, mental, and characterial demands of the SO Regt.
SURVIVAL
INSTRUCTOR
The basic course lasts 4 weeks, followed by various modules (jungle, desert, snow) that make this course very challenging physically, but especially mentally.
SNIPER
INSTRUCTOR
Eliminating the enemy without being seen and escaping safely; these lessons are taught to our snipers during the 10-week training course.
CLOSE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR
Physically, it is one of the toughest additional courses at the Centre and certainly not for everyone. Here, in 4 weeks, you learn to surpass yourself and eliminate the enemy without weapons.
DID YOU KNOW?
The “staff” of our unit is based in a castle!
DID YOU KNOW?
Our Commando Instructors walk around with a red cord, a figure-eight descender, and a carabiner around their waist, and they can use these to make a harness or a safety device themselves.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our easiest climbing massif is called “Tarzan”. This rock is named after one of the obstacle courses in Achnacarry.
UNITS
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OUR OTHER
LOCATIONS _ HIGHLIGHTED ROLES _ INSIDER STORIES
