Background

Following the conclusion of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation in 1966, the army command contemplated disbanding the Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU). The MSSU, stationed at Sebatang Karah Camp in Negeri Sembilan, was a task force whose members were all commando-trained but belonged to their respective regiments or corps, including some sailors from the Royal Malaysian Navy.^[4][6]

In 1969, the 13 May incident occurred, leading to the MSSU's deployment to Kuala Lumpur to safeguard the weapon depot within Mindef Camp (Malay: Kem Kementah). The MSSU also collaborated with the Royal Malaysia Police's Special Branch to apprehend leaders of gangs and triads who had played a role in the racial tensions behind the scenes during the incident. The crisis was short-lived due to the swift response of both units, prompting the leadership to decide against disbanding the MSSU.^[4][6]

Established as the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment

The Malaysian Army established the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment (1 MSSR) in 1 August 1970 to succeed the MSSU. As a task force, MSSU members remained accountable to their original units. To address this, by 1973, MSSU members desiring to join the special forces unit had to resign from their original units and volunteer to enlist in the 1 MSSR.^[5]

In the mid-1970s, responding to the swift expansion of the Malaysian Army's special forces, the 2nd Malaysian Special Service Regiment (2 MSSR) was formed.^[7][5] Additionally, in 1975, the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC) was established to provide Gerak Khas with commando and special operations training. Given its seniority, members of the 1 MSSR were selected as instructors at SWTC.^[6][8]

Separated from the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment

On 4 April 1980, the Malaysian Army separated the command of special forces from the 1 MSSR by establishing the Malaysian Special Service Command (Malay: Markas Gerak Khas) at Imphal Camp in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, the 1 MSSR and 2 MSSR continued to function as combat units. Subsequently, on 1 April 1981, the Malaysian Army renamed the Malaysian Special Service Command to the Malaysian Special Service Group (MSSG). Concurrently, the 1 MSSR was renamed the 21st Para Commando Regiment, and the 2 MSSR became the 22nd Para Commando Regiment.^[6][8]

Simultaneously, two new counter-revolutionary warfare and military intelligence units were formed: the 11th Special Service Regiment (11 SSR) and the 12th Special Service Regiment (12 SSR), with the purpose of providing specialised support to the Para Commando regiments. In December 1981, numerous support units were established to provide additional combat support to the combat units under MSSG. However, in 1983, the 12 SSR was disbanded, and the 11 SSR was no longer exclusively assigned to the 21st Para Commando Regiment.^[6][8]

Renamed to the 21st Special Service Group

In 1985, the MSSG underwent a name change and became the 21st Special Service Group as part of the Malaysian Army's initiative to standardise unit names and formalise the unit as the 21st brigade within the army. This restructuring also involved renaming units under the command of the 21 SSG. The 21st Para Commando Regiment was re-designated as the 21st Commando Regiment, and the 22nd Para Commando Regiment became the 22nd Commando Regiment.^[6][8]

Additionally, the 21st Engineering Squadron of the 21 SSG, now known as the 10th Squadron (Parachute), Royal Engineer Regiment was decommissioned from the 21 SSG in 1986 and transferred to the Malaysian Army's 3rd Infantry Division. The Special Warfare Training Centre was placed under the command of the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command.^[6][8]

1970–1980

• 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment^{[note 5]}
• 2nd Malaysian Special Service Regiment
• Special Warfare Training Centre

1980–1981

1981–1983

1983–1985

1985–2022

Current formations

More information Unit's name (English), Unit's name (Bahasa Malaysia) ...

21st Special Service Group

Unit's name (English)	Unit's name (Bahasa Malaysia)	Abbreviation	Beret backing	Headquarters	Specialty and purpose
11th Special Service Regiment	11 Rejimen Gerak Khas	11 SSR		Sungai Udang Camp	The 11th Special Service Regiment stands as a top-tier special forces unit within the Malaysian Army and is one of the three combat units under the 21 SSG. Referred to as the 11 Unit Lawan Keganasan (Abbr.: 11 ULK), or the 11th Counter Terrorism Unit in English, its duties encompass counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, close protection, and special reconnaissance.
21st Commando Regiment	Rejimen 21 Komando	21 Cdo		Sungai Udang Camp	The 21st Commando Regiment (21 CDO) is one of the three combat units within the 21 SSG. Specialising in traditional special forces roles, the 21 CDO distinguishes itself by emphasising airborne operations, in contrast to the 22nd Commando Regiment. Its capabilities encompass unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency and special reconnaissance.
22nd Commando Regiment	Rejimen 22 Komando	22 Cdo		Sri Iskandar Camp	The 22nd Commando Regiment is among the three combat units within the 21 SSG. Undergoing a restructuring in 2009, the 22 CDO now places a greater emphasis on amphibious operations compared to its previous specialisation in mountain warfare. Like the 21 CDO, its responsibilities encompass unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency, and special reconnaissance. Additionally, it has taken on a new role in anti-piracy.[9]
Garrison Headquarters	Markas Garison	Mk Garison		Sri Iskandar Camp	The Mk Garrison is a company-sized unit that provides administrative support to assist the 21 SSG in its administration.
21st Logistics Group	21 Kumpulan Logistik	21 Kump Log		Sri Iskandar Camp	The 21 Kump Log is a specialised unit that supports combat operations for the 21 SSG by providing services like military logistics. Formed in 2017, it is one of the newest units alongside the 21 Medic. Merging service support companies from the 21 SSG created the 21 Kump Log, resulting in three squadrons: the Royal Ordnance Corps' 21st Materials Squadron, the Royal Service Corps' Logistics Service Squadron, and the Royal Service Corps' 21st Workshop Squadron.[10]
21st Signals Squadron, Royal Signals Regiment	21 Skuadron Semboyan Diraja	21 SSD		Sri Iskandar Camp	The 21 SSD is a special operations combat support unit tasked with providing communication support to all units under the command of the 21 SSG.
21st Medic Squadron	21 Skuadron Medik	21 Medic		Sri Iskandar Camp	The 21 Medic is a special operations support unit assigned to provide medical support to all units under the command of the 21 SSG. Alongside the 21st Logistics Group, established in 2017, these are the newest units of the 21 SSG. Its duties include supplying special operations combat medics and delivering medical care to all special forces members and their families at army camps occupied by the 21 SSG.
21st Company, Royal Military Police Corps	21 Kompeni Polis Tentera Diraja	21 KPTD		Sri Iskandar Camp	The 21 KPTD is a military police unit responsible for law enforcement within the 21 SSG and Sri Iskandar Camp.
21 SSG's Intelligence Cell, Royal Intelligence Corps	Sel Risik 21 GGK			Sri Iskandar Camp	This unit manages military intelligence operations, overseeing the careful dissemination of information within the 21 SSG to avoid leaks.

Close

Family welfare support

The 21 SSG's BAKAT manages family welfare support for the 21st Special Service Group. The spouse of the Commander of 21 SSG leads the organisation, with the commander serving as its patron.

Green beret

Members of Gerak Khas inherit the green beret and Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife as a symbol of commando qualification, a tradition adopted from the Royal Marines Commando. This practice originated when the initial group underwent commando training at the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School with the 40 Commando Royal Marines.^{[note 6]} Unlike the British Armed Forces or the U.S. Army, where only those who have completed the Basic Commando Course^{[note 7]} or the United States Army Special Forces selection and training are authorised to wear the green beret,^{[note 8]} all members of the 21 SSG wear the green beret, irrespective of Basic Commando Course completion.^[6]

Members who have successfully completed the Basic Commando Course have the option to wear their unit's beret backing (Malaysian renditions of the U.S. military beret flash) to distinguish themselves from non-commando-trained members.^[6] As of 2023, only those who have passed the Malaysian Special Forces Selection are allowed to don the green beret. Other members of the 21 SSG who have not yet passed the selection process continue to wear their original unit berets.^[11]

Shoulder sleeve insignia

Stable belt

Members of the 21 SSG don the number 3 uniform (work dress) paired with a green and light blue stable belt.

Commander of the 21st Special Service Group

The position begins after the Malaysian Special Service Command was renamed to the Malaysian Special Service Group on 1 April 1981.^[14]