Unit Profile
1 Commando Regiment or 1 Cdo Regt is part of the Australian Army Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). The unit is SOCOMD' s only Reserve unit. It serves on a part time basis. As such it fills a unique role in providing a surge capacity to the Commando capability. A core of fulltime professional staff manages the unit while members of 1 Commando Regiment come from numerous different professions and trades. This wide range of occupations provides for a close relationship between the unit, local community and industry.
After World War II, the Australian Army disbanded M and Z Force and the Independent Companies that made up Australia’s first Special Forces units. During the 1950’s it was found necessary to maintain the techniques and skills developed by these units. As a result two Reserve Commando companies were raised, 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy) in February 1955 and 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy) in June 1955. These companies operated independently, training reserve and regular commandos and maintaining the skill-set.
Several members of these companies went on to assist in and man the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) when it was raised. In February 1981 it was decided to raise a headquarters to coordinate, command and control these companies and to provide the ability to round-out and augment staff at Special Operations Headquarters (SOHQ). 1 Commando Regiment provided training teams to assist in raising and training 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) or 4 RAR (Cdo) in commando skills.
In 1961 an independent 301 Signal Squadron was raised to provide support for Commando type operations. This role was then adopted by 126 Signal Squadron (Special Forces) until the formation of 1st Commando Regiment in 1981 saw all 3 units come under one command. In June 2002 301 Signal Squadron was re-raised to support the 1st Commando regiment while 126 was re-tasked to provided support to the 2nd Commando Regiment (previously 4RAR (Cdo).
Mission
- Primary mission: Unconventional Warfare
- Secondary mission: Counter Revolutionary Warfare
Raised and Disbanded
- Raised: February 1955, 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy)
- Raised: June 1955, 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy)
- Raised: 1961, 301 Signal Squadron (later 126 Signal Squadron)
- Units brought under one command in February 1981 as 1st Commando Regiment
Units
- Headquarters
- 1 Commando Company
- 2 Commando Company
- 301 Signal Squadron
- 126 Signal Squadron
Headquarters
- Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Organization
1 Commando Regiment is organised similarly to 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) or 4 RAR (Cdo), which is a regular Commando unit also serving in SOCOMD. The commando companies are made up of a headquarters, two commando platoons, a reconnaissance platoon, a training platoon and integral combat service support elements.
February 1955
- 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy)
June 1955
- 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy)
- 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy)
1961
- 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy)
- 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy)
- 301 Signal Squadron (301 Sig Sqn), later 126 Signal Squadron (126 Sig Sqn)
February 1981
- Headquarters
- 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy)
- 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy)
- 126 Signal Squadron (126 Sig Sqn)
- Reconnaissance platoon
- Training platoon
- Integral combat service support
June 2002
- Headquarters, Randwick, NSW.
- 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy), Mosman, NSW.
- 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy), Williamstown, VIC.
- 301 Signal Squadron (301 Sig Sqn), Randwick. Units of the squadron are located in Sydney and Melbourne with each Cdo Coy.
- Reconnaissance platoon
- Training platoon
- Integral combat service support