Pakistan's Special Operations Forces: SSG | SSGN | SSW | SOW | SOG
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Panzerkiel
Professional
Sajjad Shah and Faiz Shah, Musa Company pioneers, BUDS/ SEAL/ UDT qual.....
Blain2
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
The SSG selection course is a tough, hard evaluation. The training cadre has zero sympathy for any weakness and also an extremely keen eye for any weakness in the candidates and dutifully weeds them out for the unceremonious RTU with injuries, compliments of the SSG selection process. However, there is always a lighter side in all of this.
I am roughly quoting from the official SSG history that It was during just one such situations where Capt Tariq Mahmood (TM) observed a candidate who was not moving quickly enough with the rest of the detachment. He asked "what is wrong with this chap?", he was informed "sir, he has developed a case of athlete's foot (tinea pedis)", instantaneously came a retort "well, then he should run even faster! (phir tau iss ko aur tez daurna chahiyay)".
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Reichmarshal
Trusted Member
That's the difference between a peace-time SF and a wartime SF.
Reichmarshal
Trusted Member
Paddy Mane has to be one of the greatest SF operator if not the greatest SF operator ever
Blain2
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
SSG walay have their own notions and eccentricities. TM had his own style. Army has traditionally given the SSG some leverage/freedom to operate in their own way. Not even specific to Pakistan. The unconventional nature of their operations makes the routine upkeep/turnout less meaningful.
Blain2
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
I am not sure if there is any "specific" look for any period of time. Whether muscular or wiry, for the SSG selection and remaining in the formation, you have to meet standards.
I think the diet science has improved, what was fed to the Jawans and officers perhaps has also changed which is why we see differences. Second, the uniforms have changed too. In the 70s, 80s, the SSG smock was worn routinely and not only ceremoniously and it had an exaggerated broad shoulder look. In the 2000s, the SSG uniform switched to the woodland CCDs and along with that, troops started operating in T-shirts (given the heat in KP/FATA etc.).
Also traditionally, East Pakistanis had better upper body strength/physique while West Pakistanis had better lower body endurance and fitness. This was something that was narrated to me by an old timer from the SSG. Our people in today's Pakistan tend to be wiry, slim but as long as as they are built tough and can meet standards, looks matter little.
Someone posted this on Quora which was apt for this topic:
"Why don't elite soldiers and Navy SEALs have physiques like Dwayne Johnson or Vin Diesel?
https://www.quora.com/profile/Saad-Hasan-13
See this chap here:
He is a Captain of average height, average weight, average athleticism, slightly above average intelligence yet he stood first in the most recent Special Operations School’s (SOS) graduating course for the Officers’ Advanced Commando Course (OACC) in our patch (i.e. Pakistan Army, Special Service Group). Meaning he has made the cut after 6 months (3 months of OBCC and 3 months of OACC) of a very tough induction process into the Special Service Group (SSG). I could go into attrition rates for the course involved but suffice it to say that the vast majority cannot make the grade as is the case with most special forces selection.
The point I am trying to make is that mental dexterity and toughness reigns supreme in the selection for and conduct of special operations. The people that make up the ranks of special operations have no specific use for hulking muscles and on average tend to have ectomorphic body types.
This may not align to the Hollywood stereotypes but is the reality. There have been plenty of muscular types attending our SOS only to be failed and returned to unit in favor of a diminutive, average build candidate who hung in there and showed mental resilience. By the way its these same slim, wiry, average physique types that are able to carry out impressive things like 60–80km hikes with full combat load and weapon over extremely difficult terrain, or putting up impressive times on the assault course because they are trained gradually and with the mental toughness pre-requisite, they see themselves through the very tough training regimen. Bulging muscles look good but are no assurance that one will get the job done which requires patience, endurance and mental dexterity.
I think a good parallel is boxers. While you need strength and power, having too much muscle can actually get in the way of speed and delivering the power. For the job that an average special operations trooper is involved in, it does not need Rock-like physique."
Oscar
Moderator
From a US perspective narrated to me by a beret- one of the toughest Tier 1 operators 80s to 2000s with experience (and nearly 100 kills) was a gentleman who looked like IT support or your parking lot dad.I am not sure if there is any "specific" look for any period of time. Whether muscular or wiry, for the SSG selection and remaining in the formation, you have to meet standards.
I think the diet science has improved, what was fed to the Jawans and officers perhaps has also changed which is why we see differences. Second, the uniforms have changed too. In the 70s, 80s, the SSG smock was worn routinely and not only ceremoniously and it had an exaggerated broad shoulder look. In the 2000s, the SSG uniform switched to the woodland CCDs and along with that, troops started operating in T-shirts (given the heat in KP/FATA etc.).
Also traditionally, East Pakistanis had better upper body strength/physique while West Pakistanis had better lower body endurance and fitness. This was something that was narrated to me by an old timer from the SSG. Our people in today's Pakistan tend to be wiry, slim but as long as as they are built tough and can meet standards, looks matter little.
Someone posted this on Quora which was apt for this topic:
"Why don't elite soldiers and Navy SEALs have physiques like Dwayne Johnson or Vin Diesel?
https://www.quora.com/profile/Saad-Hasan-13
See this chap here:
He is a Captain of average height, average weight, average athleticism, slightly above average intelligence yet he stood first in the most recent Special Operations School’s (SOS) graduating course for the Officers’ Advanced Commando Course (OACC) in our patch (i.e. Pakistan Army, Special Service Group). Meaning he has made the cut after 6 months (3 months of OBCC and 3 months of OACC) of a very tough induction process into the Special Service Group (SSG). I could go into attrition rates for the course involved but suffice it to say that the vast majority cannot make the grade as is the case with most special forces selection.
The point I am trying to make is that mental dexterity and toughness reigns supreme in the selection for and conduct of special operations. The people that make up the ranks of special operations have no specific use for hulking muscles and on average tend to have ectomorphic body types.
This may not align to the Hollywood stereotypes but is the reality. There have been plenty of muscular types attending our SOS only to be failed and returned to unit in favor of a diminutive, average build candidate who hung in there and showed mental resilience. By the way its these same slim, wiry, average physique types that are able to carry out impressive things like 60–80km hikes with full combat load and weapon over extremely difficult terrain, or putting up impressive times on the assault course because they are trained gradually and with the mental toughness pre-requisite, they see themselves through the very tough training regimen. Bulging muscles look good but are no assurance that one will get the job done which requires patience, endurance and mental dexterity.
I think a good parallel is boxers. While you need strength and power, having too much muscle can actually get in the way of speed and delivering the power. For the job that an average special operations trooper is involved in, it does not need Rock-like physique."
The quality that was most common among all SF was composure, performance under pressure and mental endurance to overcome the body’s limitations - they have explosions, bullets flying by them , and they can chat about planning their kids birthday party while still landing accurate hits on enemy from cover.
The whole gym bro perspective came in to enable these already toughened individuals to extend their body capabilities to meet where their minds are already at.
I would rather see someone who maintains composure and gets the job done instead of a proverbial greek god who freezes and pisses his pants at the first mortar strike at their position
RedRock
Registered Member
Why cant our guys be supplied with gloves? Atleast are special forces should be 100% well equipped. Even american delta force operators have said the only difference between special forces of different countries is mainly the equipment they have access too.
ThoroughPro
Registered Member
Practicality over aesthetics, try working with gloves in hot sweltering weather
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