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Basic Rapid Deployment Force Course (Malaysia)

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The Basic Rapid Deployment Force Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat, abbreviated as APAC) is a four-week course conducted by the Malaysian Army as part of the pipeline for officers and soldiers who wish to join the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force and the 10th Parachute Brigade.[1] This course represents the final phase of a three-part series, following the preparatory course and the basic parachutist course.[note 1] Typically held at Terendak Camp, Malacca, it concludes at Dataran Parawood ('Parawood parade ground'), with the exception of 2021, when it concludes at the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge.[2] Following the elevation of the 10th Parachute Brigade's status as a hybrid airborne-marine unit in 2022 during the 89th Army Day (Malay: Hari Tentera Darat),[3][4] the course now concludes at the beach of Besar Island in Malacca.[5]

This course is the Malaysian Army's version of the US Army's Ranger Assessment and Selection Program.

History

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In 1987, the Task Force 083 (today known as the 10th Parachute Brigade) experimentally tested this course on the unit under its command, the 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment. The 11th Strategic Division, the command of the Task Force 083 at the time, designed this course in collaboration with the Special Warfare Training Centre, which is responsible for training the Malaysian Army's Special Forces in airborne operations. The course drew inspiration from the four-week Ranger Indoctrination Program (Abbr.: RIP; today known as the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program) and the Pre-Parachute Selection of the P Company.[6]

This course originally lasted for 5 weeks before being shortened to 4 weeks starting in Series 1/2022.[7][1][5]

In the present day, passing this course is the only way for officers and soldiers to earn their maroon beret.[8]

Course aims

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This course is designed to assess and evaluate the mental and physical endurance of officers and soldiers aspiring to join an elite unit in the Malaysian Army. It serves the purpose of acquainting participants with the roles, challenges, and responsibilities they will encounter upon becoming members of the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force. Furthermore, the rigorous nature of the assessments in this course aims to cultivate a sense of camaraderie, or esprit de corps, among the members of the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force and instill a profound sense of achievement for entering the airborne brotherhood.[9]

Course

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This 4-week course closely resembles the curriculum of the US Army's Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, except it excludes marksmanship, breaching and explosive tactics.[note 2][10] Conducted twice a year and also referred to as Latihan Semangat Waja and Pegasus Course, the course is divided into two phases. The initial phase takes place in a camp setting, and the subsequent phase involves candidates undergoing intense physical training as an introduction to what they will face if selected to be part of any unit under the 10th Parachute Brigade.[9] This course is the final phase in the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force pipeline, following the jump school. Candidates at this stage are already drained and exhausted from the jump school held at the Special Warfare Training Centre.

Phase 1: Camp Phase

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Phase 1, also known as the 'camp phase', is typically held at Terendak Camp. During this phase, candidates are introduced theoretically and practically to the three core operations synonymous with the 10th Parachute Brigade:

  1. Airborne operations
  2. Air assault operations
  3. Amphibious operations

This phase is also designed to prepare candidates for what they will face in the second phase. Candidates must pass the following tests during this phase before proceeding to the second phase of the course:[11][12]

  • Obstacle and endurance course: A speed march for 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) in full battle gear before navigating 11 obstacles under 8 minutes and 30 seconds
  • 150 metres (160 yd) swimming test
  • 10 metres (33 ft) platform dive
  • Commando endurance course: The Malaysian Army version of the Royal Marines' Tarzan assault course
  • Tower test: Abseiling and repelling
  • 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) speed march under 1 hour 45 minutes in full battle gear
  • Team carrying a 250 kilograms (550 lb) combat raiding craft for 2.2 kilometres (1.4 mi)
  • 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) run under 14 minutes and 30 seconds without full battle gear
  • 22 kilometres (14 mi) speed march in full battle gear

Phase 2: Field Phase

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After successfully completing the 22 kilometres (14 mi) speed march, candidates proceed to the next phase, the 'field phase'. This phase, held outside the military camp, is designed as a practical test for candidates, emphasising skills as an amphibious unit and long-ranged patrol unit. Candidates begin this phase by paddling combat raiding craft, simulating infiltration by sea, before navigating through land in full battle gear with loaded bags and equipment. Upon reaching Mount Ledang, they hike up and descend the mountain before surviving in a swamp for four days. Afterwards, they proceed with the final test, a 40 kilometres (25 mi) loaded forced march back to Terendak Camp. The total distance they have to cover by foot during this phase is about 65 kilometres (40 mi).[11][12]

The tests they need to pass in this phase are:

  • Paddling a combat raiding craft for 25 kilometres (13 nmi)
  • 17 kilometres (11 mi) night and day map reading and land navigation test
  • River crossing exercise
  • Climb and descend Mount Ledang (Highest point: 1,276 metres (4,186 ft))
  • Four-day survival training in a swamp area
  • 40 kilometres (25 mi) of forced march in full battle gear

Graduation

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Before the modifications were made to the course in 2022, the ceremony for the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force pipeline occurred at the end of the 40 kilometres (25 mi) forced march. At the conclusion of the forced march on the 'Parawood parade grounds', candidates in full battle gear needed to swim across a 100 metres (110 yd) pool that symbolised the end of all tests. A simple graduation ceremony, attended by family and friends, included the bestowal of the maroon beret, a blood wings (Malay: Sayap berdarah) ceremony, and a war dance demonstration by the graduates.[13]

After Series 1/2022, the graduation ceremony includes a beach assault demonstration by the graduates, symbolising the 10th Parachute Brigade's dual role as both a marine and its original role as an airborne and air assault unit. Only after the beach assault demonstration will graduates be bestowed with the maroon beret and a blood wings ceremony.[5]

Blood wings ceremony

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Instructors hold the Parachutist Badge, also known as the airborne wing, which graduates should receive upon completing jump school before starting the Basic Rapid Deployment Force Course. They only receive it during this ceremony. The blood wings ceremony is a tradition in which VIP guests punch the airborne wing into the graduate's chest. The wings, without a pin-back clasp, pierce the graduate's skin, causing them to bleed with their airborne wing. This tradition has been carried on since the early '80s, inspired by the Gerak Khas airborne graduates who received a similar ceremony after completing jump school at the Special Warfare Training Centre. This practice is itself inspired by the US Army's and US Marine Corps' tradition of blood wings.[note 3][8][14]

Those who go through this ceremony have the right to wear a blood-red background trim (Malay: Pelapik) at the back of their parachutist badge when using any service uniform, excluding the combat uniform.[8]

Notes

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  1. ^ The preparatory course lasts for 2 weeks, and the basic parachutist course, also known as jump school or airborne school, lasts for 4 weeks.
  2. ^ RASP is an 8-week course, with the last four weeks focusing on special operations tactics, including marksmanship, explosives, and breaching.
  3. ^ see Blood wings

References

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  1. ^ a b "Kursus asas PAC uji ketahanan mental, fizikal anggota Tentera Darat". Air Times News Network (in Malay). 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  2. ^ Kori, Ghazali (2022-02-16). "Kursus APAC tamat". Harian Metro (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  3. ^ "10 Bde (Para) Trial Improvements to Combat Water Jump SOP". MY Military Times. 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  4. ^ PERBARISAN HARI TENTERA DARAT KE-89, retrieved 2023-11-13
  5. ^ a b c "Kursus APAC uji tahap ketahanan mental dan fizikal anggota PARA". Air Times News Network (in Malay). 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  6. ^ Fathi Kamil Khazali, Captain; Azman Humjak; Nicholas Vienlis Bato; Muhammad Razif Anzeli; Jarod Jonep (2018). Buku Profil Pasukan (in Malay). Batalion Kelapan Rejimen Renjer Diraja.
  7. ^ Muhamad Zainalarifin Mohamad Zainal Abidin (2018-04-06). "Kursus APAC Mantapkan Warga PAC". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  8. ^ a b c "14 pegawai, 147 anggota tentera dianugerah sayap berdarah PARA". Air Times News Network (in Malay). 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  9. ^ a b "17 RMR (Para) Rapid Deployment Force Basic Course Closing Ceremony". MY Military Times. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  10. ^ "Ranger Assessment and Selection Program". armyranger.com. n.d. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  11. ^ a b Mohd Noradri Mat Rashid (2018-03-19). "Kursus Asas PAC Menguji Kecekalan, Ketahanan Mental dan Fizikal". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  12. ^ a b Shahzada Manja, Khaleeq (2016-05-30). "Wira Beret Semerah Hati". Majalah 3. TV3 (Malaysia).
  13. ^ Yusof, Amirul Fahmi (2022-02-13). "MAJLIS PENUTUP KURSUS ASAS PASUKAN ATURGERAK CEPAT (APAC) 10-BRIGED (PARA) SIRI 2/2021". Laman Web MKN (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  14. ^ Madrid, Michael (2022-07-29). "How Blood Wings Shocked the Public Enough To Outlaw It". VeteranLife. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
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