Special Forces Training Centre's (SFTC) role is to ensure the ongoing provision of high-calibre, trained individuals to Commandos and SAS to enable continuous elite military capabilities. The unit’s badge comprises both Commando Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife and Special Air Service Regiments sword overlaying the flame of Gideon, representing the intense heat of the selection process. In the background is the double diamond representing Australia’s World War II Special Forces origins.
SFTC was raised in 1999 as a Training Command unit to support, validate and develop Special Forces training however has grown significantly from these origins to now manage a broad range of training and training support tasks on behalf of Special Operations Headquarters. In 2004 SFTC became a fully fledged Special Forces unit transitioning from Training Command to Special Operations Command (SOCOMD).
Quality people form the bedrock of Australian Special Operations capability. As such, the task of attracting, selecting and training physically and mentally robust individuals to provide the next generation of Special Forces operators is an essential precursor to the delivery of this collective capability to the battlefield. Physical toughness is an important attribute however is only one of a myriad of components the Special Forces operator must possess. Judgement, decisiveness, mental dexterity, leadership, innovation and humility are all core elements required by Special Forces soldiers and officers alike. These attributes will be thoroughly exposed, observed, reviewed and assessed to ensure each individual that is selected for service within Special Forces can meet the high standards that are expected of them.
The SOCOMD catchcry of “service with operational focus” is a foundation emphasis throughout recruitment, selection and training, and only those with absolute dedication will last the process. The gravity and responsibility entailed in this commitment is evident in the fact that newly qualified members may find themselves on intense combat operations within a few months of completing reinforcement training. Upon completion of Special Forces selection and training, and subsequently operations, successful Special Forces soldiers will realise why their beret commands the respect it does.