The 'Aptitud de Guerra Naval Especial' course, aimed at training the Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE) incursors of the Kingdom of Spain's Naval Infantry, the Spanish equivalent of COMSUBIN, once again reaffirms its extreme rigour. The 2022 edition was cancelled after the elimination of all candidates highlighting the severity and high expectations attached to this course.
As reported by the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial Digital after the cancellation of the course in November 2022, a new edition of this extremely rigorous programme was launched in March 2023, consisting of several phases spread over several months, aimed at training soldiers for the special forces of the Spanish Navy.
The Spanish General Staff specified that the 17th Navy Special Forces Eligibility Course started on 6 March, with an expected conclusion on 15 December.
At the same time, the 17th edition was superimposed on the 18th. The 18th Course started on 4 September and, barring early cancellations, will end on 2 June 2024.
The figures for the two courses are eloquent. A total of 60 people were invited, and 24 students were selected to participate in the courses.
Of these initial 24 trainees, only six are continuing on. The three from the 17th Course have to hold out until December, while the three from the 18th will still have to face several months of extremely rigorous training, so given the difficulties faced by their comrades, it cannot be ruled out that there may be further withdrawals before the end of both courses.
Military members of the Spanish Navy and their special forces demonstrate, according to the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial Digital their appreciation for maintaining high standards of rigour: "Nothing is taken for granted here; those who wear the green beret of our special forces have earned it through their commitment."highlight how "in other Spanish special operations units". a tendency has emerged to guarantee a minimum number of trained operators per session, trying to ensure that a certain number of candidates complete the course despite a high drop-out rate, sometimes ignoring instructors' recommendations.
In clear contrast to this approach, the choice has been made in the past, as we have seen, to cancel the course rather than jeopardise quality and reduce selection standards.
In response to El Confidencial's questions regarding a possible change in the tests for access to the course or a redefinition of the course itself, given the high percentage of rejected candidates, the Spanish Navy General Staff stated that "the redefinition of the course is currently under consideration by the Personnel Directorate and the Naval Staff"..
What is the Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial, also known as FGNE
The Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE) is the current special forces unit of the Spanish Navy. It was formed on 10 June 2009, building on the foundations of the Special Unit of Combat Divers (UEBC) and the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Marine Infantry Brigade (BRIMAR) of the Tercio de la Armada (TEAR).
It is based in Cartagena, reports directly to the General Command of the Marine Infantry and is the flagship unit of the Spanish Navy.
It is qualified to perform all doctrinal special operations missions, which include the core missions of direct action, reconnaissance and special surveillance and military assistance, as well as the additional missions of NEO operations (evacuation of non-combatants), hostage rescue and counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
It is deployed in support of naval operations, forming part of the Navy's projection, protection, freedom of action and maritime action capabilities.
Following NATO standards of special forces units, they are mainly organised in small teams, in addition to other command, control and support units. Recently the VI Estol 'Illetas' began operations already deployed on Spanish vessels patrolling the western waters of the Indian Ocean to combat piracy as part of 'Operation Atalanta'.
