OVERVIEW: A Commando is a light infantry or special operations soldier trained for high-risk missions such as raids, sabotage, reconnaissance, and direct action. Commando units are organized for rapid deployment and operate independently or as part of larger special operations forces.

DETAILS: The term “Commando” originated from Boer irregular units in South Africa and was adopted by British forces in World War II to describe elite raiding forces. Commandos are trained in small-unit tactics, amphibious or airborne insertion, demolitions, close-quarters combat, and survival under austere conditions. They are often part of national special forces or marine infantry and operate in hostile environments with limited support. Many countries maintain commando units under army, navy, or joint special operations structures.

FUNCTION: Commando units conduct short-duration, high-intensity missions behind enemy lines, such as assaulting key installations, eliminating high-value targets, or rescuing hostages. They rely on speed, surprise, and precision, often inserting via air, sea, or land with minimal logistical footprint.

NOTE:
IOC: 1940 (term formalized by British Army Commandos)
Operators: United Kingdom, France, India, Australia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, South Korea, Turkey, Brazil, Iran, Israel, Algeria
Conflict used in: World War II (Norway raids, Dieppe 1942), Falklands War (1982), Kargil War (1999), Operation Neptune Spear (2011), Mali (2013), ongoing CT operations globally

SOURCE:
UK Ministry of Defence: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines ; U.S. DoD Special Operations Publications ; Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/commando-military-unit ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commando