- By Anshika Verma
- Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Who are the MARCOS?: The MARCOS were formed in the year 1987 and are considered as the elite special forces unit of the Indian Navy. Marcos are trained for a wide range of operations, they are one of the toughest soldiers of India Army who undergo rigorous training. They are trained for multiple operations such as amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and reconnaissance.
Who is Dadhiwala Fauj?:
The MARCOS are commonly referred to as the "Dadhiwala Fauj" (Bearded Army) due to their distinctive appearance as well as their ability to operate wisely in every situation. The MARCOs or Marine Commando Force are modeled on the United States Navy SEALS. MARCOS are well known soldiers that can operate across diverse environments and atmosphere, encompassing sea, air, and land. These soldiers also engage in collaborative efforts with the Indian Army to conduct special operations in tough areas such as Kashmir.
Motto of the MARCOS:
‘The Few The Fearless’ is the motto of the MARCOs'army. These soldiers have earned recognition for their remarkable and extraordinary performances in Cactus, Leech, Pawan, and Cyclone operations. Notably, courage and determination came to prominence during the time of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks where their contribution set a high standard and was rewarded.
The Marine Commando Force has also assisted in the initial stages of the Taj hotel attack that took place in 2008, a report by the MyGov mentioned that during the late 1980s, MARCOS executed the most significant operation popularly known as ‘Operation Pawan’ amidst the Sri Lankan Civil War, which was phenomenal. Their pivotal contribution in seizing crucial territories conducted by the LTTE played an important role in the restoration of peace.
MARCOS Specialisation & Training:
The MARCOs or Marine Commando Force are specialised in operating across various environments such as encompassing sea, air and land. The selection process for the MARCOS training and participation is extremely rigorous, with a high attrition rate, an individual must have dedication to crack it. Those individuals who pass the initial selection stage can undergo further training that will include several tasks such as 20-kilometer runs, night marches, live ammunition training, and the extremely tough and challenging "Hell Week".
MARCOS Equipments & Estimated Salary:
The MARCOs or Marine Commando Force are equipped with a wide range of weapons and equipments which includes the Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle, Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine guns, SIG Sauer P226 and Glock 17 pistols, and Dragunov sniper rifles. The MARCOS Commandos earned the basic pay around Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 27,000 per month.