Training
All the SSW members get their initial training from Special Operation School, Cherat. Soldiers wanting to join the SSW must have at least two years of service before they can join.
First they will be given basic training at Kallar Kahar for a 6–8 weeks. The initial course emphasizes tough physical conditioning and endurance. This includes a 40 mile march in 12 hours with 20 kg weight and a 5 mile run in 35 minutes with full gear (60-80 lbs) among the many physically demanding challenges. The concept of the initial training is designed to weed out the weak candidates. Drop out rate is very high and those who survive the initial training are then sent to Special Operation School for 9-12 Months for specialized training.
The advanced training includes Anti-terrorist & hostage rescue, Minor Ops, basic desert, mountain, water, snow survival training, unarmed combat, firing with all types of weapons, intelligence, static line equipment jumps, diving etc. Many in the SSW are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO/HAHO course is given at Risalpur with a "Skydiver" tab awarded after 30 free fall jumps. For HAHO minimum 150 Free fall jumps along with 10 Night equipment free fall jumps are required. A "Mountain Warfare" qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Mountain Warfare School in Ratto; and a "Combat Diver" badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN at Karachi or by MUSA company at Mangla .
SSW soldiers are occasionally sent to the United States for advanced training with the 1st Special Forces Group and the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Fort Bragg and Fort Benning.
Read more about this topic: Special Service Wing
Famous quotes containing the word training:
“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned; and however early a man’s training begins, its probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“The triumphs of peace have been in some proximity to war. Whilst the hand was still familiar with the sword-hilt, whilst the habits of the camp were still visible in the port and complexion of the gentleman, his intellectual power culminated; the compression and tension of these stern conditions is a training for the finest and softest arts, and can rarely be compensated in tranquil times, except by some analogous vigor drawn from occupations as hardy as war.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“In Washington, success is just a training course for failure.”
—Simon Hoggart (b. 1946)