Grup Gerak Khas is a brigade sized formation that acts as the command element and coordinates and deploys the 3 special forces battalions of the Malaysian Army. It is the administrative and operational group to which the 3 regiments of the Rejimen Gerak Khas and its supporting units is subordinated.

21 Gerup Gerak Khas is commanded by a Brigadier General and is currently located at Kem Iskandar, in Mersing, Johor. 21 Gerup Gerak Khas comprised commandos highly trained in special warfare and able to conduct unconventional warfare in any of its forms - Guerilla/Anti-Guerilla Warfare, Escape and Evasion, Subversion, Sabotage, Counter Terrorism and their most highly regarded expertise - Jungle Warfare.

HistoryBritish Special Forces including the Special Air Service and the Royal Marines 40 Commando made a significant impact when assisting the Malaysian Armed Forces during the Indonesian Confrontation. British, Australian and New Zealand Special Air Service troops made daring cross border deterrent “Claret” missions. Royal Marine Commandos help put down the rebellion in Brunei. The experience of such units convinced the Malaysian Minister of Defence of the usefulness of such special forces and he directed the formation of such units within the Malaysian Army.

The Special Forces Directorate was established in the Ministry of Defense, Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein on 1960s to coordinate the operations of the special forces regiments. This unit is partly based on by the 40th Royal Marines Commandos and was then called Malaysian Special Service Unit. In January 1981, Markas Grup Gerak Khas was established in Imphal Camp, Kuala Lumpur to act as the Brigade Headquarters for the 3 special forces regiments . The headquarters group would also include combat support units and service support units.

Gerup Gerak Khas was renamed 21 Gerup Gerak Khas which formalises the formation as the 21st brigade group in the Malaysian Army.

Formation of Malaysian Special Service GroupIn 1965, the Ministry of Defence called on volunteers from the Army and Navy for Commando training. On 25 February 1965, an introductory training was conducted at Kem Majidee, Johor Bharu by the British 40 Commando, Royal Marines. The selection was harsh, and from the initial 300 men who volunteered, only 15 were selected to undergo the 6 weeks Basic Commando course. Of these, only 4 Officers and 9 Other Ranks passed the Basic Commando course.

Such was the beginning of the Malaysian Gerup Gerak Khas (Special Service Group). With assistance from instructors from the 40 Commando Royal Marines, the Special Service Group expanded and in 1965 alone conducted 6 of Basic Commando courses. On August 1, 1970 the 1st Special Service Regiment was formed at Kem Sungai Udang in Melaka.

Kem Sungai Udang was the acknowledged "Home of the Commandos" and its spiritual home. Members of the regiment trained with special forces units from Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America, further enriching the knowledge base. Under the Third Malaysia Plan and the expansion of the Armed Forces, the Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas (Special Warfare Training Centre) was established. In 1983, 22nd Commando Regiment moved to Kuala Kubu Baru due to congestion at Kem Sungai Udang.

21 Gerup Gerak Khas and its regiments and support units have moved to Kem Iskandar, the new Special Operations Force base in Mersing. Situated 15 km south of Mersing, Kem Iskandar covers an area of 2,000 acres. Facilities include 200 buildings, 20 km of roads, 3 bridges, a harbour, landing pads, parade squares and other facilities. The project cost is RM422 million. The new base was named Kem Iskandar, after the Sultan of Johor, a staunch supporter of Rejimen Gerak Khas and its current colonel in chief.

UniformThe Gerup Gerak Khas wears the same BDU uniforms as other combat elements of the Malaysian Army, but are distinguished by their Green beret with GERAKHAS insignia, blue lanyard rope on their right shoulder (originated from 40th Royal Marine Commando), commando dagger engraved with "GERAKHAS",highly folded sleeves, and their “Gerakhas” shoulder tab. Parachute wings are worn over the left pocket, but only by those specialised in air training.

Units21 Gerup Gerak Khas (GGK) Headquarters21 Gerup Gerak Khas is the operational command structure that coordinate and integrate the activities of the 3 regiments of the Malaysian Army's Rejimen Gerak Khas. Attached to this command structure are Signals, engineers and other support arms units.

Counter Terrorism Regiment or 11th Regiment Gerak KhasThe 11th Regiment Gerak Khas is called the Special Service Regiment as it specialises the more refined special forces art of sabotage, HRT, SBS, CRW etc. This regiment is smaller compared to 21st and 22nd Commando, and is organised into 4 Sabre Squadrons. Only those who have served no less than 8 years in the Commando Regiments are eligible for selection.

Commando Regiment21st and 22nd Commando are the two commando regiments of 21st Grup Gerak Khas, configured for commando operations and forced entry assaults. There are approximately 1,800 men in the 2 commando regiments. The 2 regiments specialises in Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, Sabotage, Covert Operations, Airborne assault, Amphibious Assault and other commando operations. They closely resemble the Royal Marines Commando, and each regiment has specialised squadrons such as the special boat squadron and mobility squadron.

Special Forces DirectorateThe Special Forces Directorate is a small group of around 20 personnel, tasked with planning and coordination of resources and equipment of Gerup Gerak Khas. The directorate also provides assistance during oeprational deployment of Gerup Gerak Khas units and formulate policy guidelines. The Cell also undertakes Planning and Intelligence tasks as well as Operational Research.

TrainingGGK train a lot with the Indonesian Kopassus as their base is less than one hour by helicopter across the Straits of Malacca from Sungai Udang. The GGK and Kopassus enjoy a close relationship. GGK also trains with SAS (United Kingdom / New Zealand / Australia) as well as US Army's 1st Special Forces Group (1st Bn, Okinawa) and USMC's Force Recon units. 1 Bn / 1 SFG usually drops by a few times a year.

Basic commando course are divided into several phase : Camp Training, Jungle Training, Swamp Training & Long Range March, Sea Training, E & E (Escape & Evasion) and HALO/HAHO.

Camp TrainingOrganized in 5 weeks, this phase is actually the most important level to test and develop individual physical & mental resistant. Physical, weapons, explosive, tactical & stratagem (muslihat), field medical, rappelling / abseiling and map reading is among the exercises conducted. The trainees are also required to undergo several series of long range march with full combat load. Range will be increase from 4.8km, 8km, 11.2km, 14km to 16km respectively. Usually, some of the trainees failed to arrive to designated checkpoint within the stipulated time and they will be sent back to their original unit or other services ("turun skot" - according to the Army's lingo).Jungle TrainingThis 2 week jungle training is a favorite among the trainees. This is where the trainees will be exposed to practical training, field skills & know-how such as guarding & patrolling, establishing base, survival and section / troop combat.

Swamp Training & Long Range MarchIn this phase, all trainees are subject to undergo a tough combat march along with their 15kg pack (130km in just 1 and a half day!!). Those who succeeded, will continue to live in the swampy area for 7 days without food supply or proper clothing (they wore only the underwears) . They will practice all survival lessons here.Sea TrainingThe sea training is conducted in 2 weeks, where the trainees are exposed to practical exercises such as small craft navigation, long range / silence rowing and coastal attack using high-speed inflatable boats and kayaks. After completing the 'curriculum', they will travel 160km along the Straits of Malacca using kayaks.Escape & Evasion (E&E)All trainees are deployed in groups and they must report to several agents at designated checkpoints. They must know how to contact their agents and evade from the "enemy" who controls that area. If they are caught, they will be tortured and abused. The trainees will then be released and continue their journey until they arrive at the last checkpoint.

Customs and tradition

Green BeretMembers of Rejimen Gerak Khas wear the Green Beret, a common symbol amongst the commando and special forces community. The "harimau berjuang" cap badge is worn with the green beret.Blue LanyardMembers of Gerak Khas also wear the blue lanyard, an honour accorded to them by 40 Commando, Royal Marines. 40 Commando was instrumental in training the original members of 1st Special Service Regiment, the forerunner of 21 Komando. Personnel of both 40 Commando Royal Marine and Gerak Khas wear the traditional blue lanyards.Shoulder FlashMembers of the regiment also wear a 'Gerakhas' shoulder tab.BlueThe blue color symbolizes close relationship between the Malaysian Special Service Group with 40th Royal Marine Commando (British) . The formation of Malaysian Special Service Group (MSSG) was initiated by 40th Royal Marine Commando which was also responsible for the training and imparting of specialized skills to these selected personnel. Personnel of 40th Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Units wear the traditional blue lanyards.GreenAll qualified personnel of Special Forces are awarded the green berets. Green beret is also a commonly worn headgear of the other Special Forces in the world. The green color also symbolizes the Islamic color - the official religion of Malaysia. Tiger. Tiger denotes bravery. The mean and unwaning features of the tiger portrays ferocity and might. These characteristics are to be possessed and portrayed by personnel of the Special Forces.DaggerThe dagger symbolizes the essence of decisiveness, steadfastness and inherent ability of rationalization possessed by personnel of the Special Forces. The unsheathed dagger portray the status of combat readiness of the Special Forces Units which are ever ready for all eventualities at all times. Its vertical alignment denotes the spirit and aspiration of the Special Forces personnel.Cepat dan Cergas

The slogan ‘Cepat Dan Cergas’ (Fast & Agile) is chosen in accordance with the role and tasks of the special forces. Its personnel must be efficient, nimble and brave