193 Special Forces recruits graduate

Qatari Armed Forces yesterday celebrated the graduation of 193 recruits of first founding session of Joint Special Forces under the patronage of Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, and Major General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem.
The 12-week course provided recruits with necessary skills to excel in military career according to a disciplined and command-oriented manner.
The success rate among recruits was 100% while 80% of them earned very good grade and 20% good grade.
In a press statement, on the sidelines of the graduation ceremony, Brigadier General Hamad bin Abdullah Al Futtais Al Marri, Commander of the Joint Special Forces, expressed delight for graduation of the first batch of the Joint Special Forces in which a large number of Qatari youth took part, reflecting their keenness to engage in special forces after implementation of s new structure and plans for the training of recruits.
The second founding course for the infantry will start on Sunday and it brings together about 350 recruits, he said, adding the third session is scheduled to begin within two months which will includes 300 to 350 recruits.
The Joint Special Forces has launched a well-planned recruitment plan, which adopts excellent training methods and suitable materials for new recruits, he informed.
After completion of the course, the recruits will undergo other specialised courses that will prepare them to work in their fields, including Paratroopers and Thunderbolt courses before joining one of the three Special Forces: mobile Special Forces, Special Operations or Special Naval Forces.
For joining the course, the candidates should hold a high school diploma with 75 percent marks to be graduated at the rank of Sergeant. After six years, recruits would be promoted to rank of Lieutenant. For the recruits who obtain less than 75 marks, they will be graduated as Deputy-Sergeant and will be promoted after 8 years to the rank of Lieutenant, Al Marri said, stressing both graduates receive special privileges in the Special Forces.
Lt. Col. Mohammed Fahd Falih Al Shahwani, Commander of Special Operations School, thanks for the support that the school received from Joint Special Forces Command and its units to make the session a success.
Sepaking at the closing ceremony, he said the 12-week session, which began on January 12, included military and academic training in infantry, fitness, light weapons, shooting, field battle skills, and health skills, along with courses on  administrative and health and marching long distances during military sessions.