The brutal psychological gauntlet of the Austrian 'Hunting Commando'
In short: Becoming an elite operator for Austria's Jagdkommando is less about raw strength and more about enduring systemic exhaustion. From 72-hour field exercises to mountain marathons, the selection process is designed to break candidates mentally before they ever reach the final training phase.
The Jagdkommando, based in Wiener Neustadt, traces its lineage back to World War I 'manhunt' squads. Today, it maintains a force of 400 operators organized into three task groups. The selection process is a rigorous six-month journey that begins with a three-week pre-selection phase. This initial stage features a core 72-hour Field Exercise designed to induce total sleep deprivation and test psychological resilience through long road marches in squad elements. The unit's history began in 1961 when Austrian officers trained at the US Army Ranger School. This cooperation led to the first official training courses opening on May 4, 1963.
Only about 20-25% of candidates survive the pre-selection to enter the Jagdkommandogrundkurs. During the first seven weeks in Allentsteig, recruits face freezing weather and heavy rucksacks while conducting patrols and raids. The most grueling component is the SERE training in the Salzburg Alps. Here, candidates must navigate 20–30 km between checkpoints over mountainous terrain for up to ten days with minimal sleep, only to be ambushed and captured by infantry, helicopters, and K9 units. Candidates must carry a heavy Lowe Rucksack throughout their daily patrols and ambushes. The selection process is conducted by both active operators and unit enablers.
Success in this 'captivity phase' leaves only about 10-15% of original applicants eligible for the unit. Those who pass are awarded the mud-green beret and begin a year-long Einsatzausbildung 1 refinement course. This final preparation covers advanced weapon systems like the Steyr AUG A2 Kdo, mountain airborne tactics, and specialized roles such as Medic or Communications Sergeant, ensuring that only the most resilient remain in the brotherhood. The training includes specialized courses for urban SR and advanced combatives. Operators also learn to use the FN P90 alongside other advanced weapon systems.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Jagdkommando
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