1st Commando Regiment (Australia)

1st Commando Regiment
1st Commando Regiment cap badge
Active24 February 1955
(as 1 and 2 Cdo Coy)
1 February 1981–present
(as 1st Cdo Regt)
Country Australia
BranchAustralian Army Reserve
TypeSpecial forces
RoleSpecial operations
SizeOne regiment
  • Two commando companies
Part ofSpecial Forces Group
Garrison/HQSydney and Melbourne
Motto(s)Strike Swiftly
March1 Cdo Coy – "Sari Marais"
2 Cdo Coy – "Cockleshell Heroes"
EngagementsAfghanistan
Commanders
Notable
commanders
William "Mac" Grant
Phillip Bennett
Martin Hamilton-Smith
Jack H Skipper MC
Harry Smith MC
Insignia
Unit colour patch
Abbreviation1 Cdo Regt

The 1st Commando Regiment (1 Cdo Regt) is an Australian Army Reserve special forces unit, part of Special Operations Command with an integrated structure of regular (full-time) soldiers and reserve (part-time) soldiers, which together with the full-time Australian Army 2nd Commando Regiment, provides the commando capability to Special Operations Command. 1st and 2nd Commando companies were raised in 1955 and were combined with 126 Signal Squadron (SF) in 1981 to form the 1st Cdo Regt. The regiment's two commando companies are the oldest sub-units within Special Operations Command. In 2008, the regiment deployed to Afghanistan to become the first Australian Army Reserve force element on combat operations since World War II. The regiment is the Command's capability lead for special warfare.[1][2]

  1. ^ Irvine 2020, pp. 10, 26, 34.
  2. ^ Miranda, Charles (17 June 2023). "Army to recreate legendary special force from WWII Z Squad". The Daily Telegraph. p. 5. Retrieved 11 July 2023.