| The French Special Forces, are also called the | | | | missions and also focus on fighting both domestic |
| Commandement des Opérations Spécialesor | | | | as well as global terrorism.. |
| the COS. This organization comprises all of the | | | | Weapons Of The COS |
| military branches in France including the Navy, | | | | The weapons of the COS depend upon which of |
| Army and Air Force as well as the Gendarmerie. | | | | the branch of service is involved. They use NATO |
| It is comprised of the first and second circle | | | | weapons, sniper rifles, M2 Browning Machine Guns, |
| where the first circle is under permanent COS | | | | MK 19 Grenade launchers, many versions of the |
| command and the second circle being called in for | | | | Colt M4, M16 and Heckler & Koch weapons. |
| reinforcement. The COS can commandeer any | | | | In addition, they use the Heckler & Koch USP |
| members of the armed forces in France for | | | | with a silencer, the Glock 17 and the AT4. |
| special military action if necessary. | | | | Known Missions |
| Their History | | | | Most of the missions of the COS are covert |
| The COS began in June, 1992 shortly after the | | | | operations. They have been involved in the |
| Gulf War. It is a directive of the special forces | | | | Operation Licorne as well as working extensively |
| units of the Army, Navy, Air Force and | | | | with UN troops in Afghanistan. |
| Gendarmerie, all of which are under the command | | | | Units |
| of the COS. | | | | The COS is comprised of units of the Army, Air |
| How To Become A Member Of The COS | | | | Force, Navy and Gendarmerie. The units of the |
| Those who are involved in any of the special | | | | army include the 1st Regiment de parachutistes |
| forces units of the French Military are considered | | | | d'infanterie de marine, which is a unit designed for |
| to be part of the first circle of the COS. There | | | | direct action and is closely related to the SAS. In |
| are various military regiments in France, including | | | | addition, ther eis also the 13e Regiment for long |
| the French Army Special Forces Brigade (CFST). | | | | term reconnaissance, and a special detachment |
| Those who train for the special forces in the | | | | unit. The Commandos Marine units are five |
| various fractions of the French Military are | | | | commandos teams and are considered a naval |
| considered part of the COS. | | | | counter terrorist team. There are also special |
| COS Training | | | | Parachute units such as the Commandos 10 and |
| Training for the COS consists of extensive | | | | the DOS in the Air Force. All of the special forces |
| military training. In addition, there are exercises | | | | units work with the COS in the first circle and are |
| annually that insure that all of the special military | | | | the first to be called into duty in times of war. |
| units operate within one another. The exercises | | | | Are They Professional Soldiers? |
| are called the Gorgones. The best trained ar the | | | | Members of the COS undergo rigorous training |
| GCP unit which are trained in accordance with | | | | and are professional soldiers. Those of the first |
| SAS standards. | | | | circle are all professional soldiers who have signed |
| What Are They Best At? | | | | up for duty in the various forces. The COS can |
| The French Special Forces are best at special | | | | also commandeer the use of the Gendarmerie |
| covert operations both domestically as well as | | | | Nationale and second circle Army as well as the |
| abroad. They have been active in a number of | | | | third circle, which is police intelligence, if needed. |