Pakistan Navy has set up their own Naval ; SOTC which is located in a rugged and hilly area beyond KANNUP and Paradise Point, but before PNS Nathyagali (PN Remote Sensing Site). The Base is under construction, however training for the SSG(N) and for the first time Basic Para-Jumping training is being imparted to Officer-Cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA).
The 1st course is to be known as 1st Amjad Razzaq Shaheed S.Bt. SEAL Course in his honor, who gave his life during the Mehran Base terrorist attack. The Shaheeds proud father was also present at the passing out parade & live-fire demo.
The Base which is under construction already has a Barracks for the Navy Seals and a building which acts as the School or Center for the Naval SOTC. However the Naval SOTC will soon be shifted to Gharo where a State-of-the-Art facility is nearing completion. This site near the PN Remote Sensing Site (PNS Nathyagali) will be then be converted to a Deep-Sea Diving School for the SSG(N).
A total of 190 sailors and 14 officers volunteered for the Basic SEAL Course but after 29 weeks only 39 sailors and 1 officer were able to qualify and finish the 5-module training course. The attrition rate of 70% shows the degree of difficulty faced by the volunteers in completing the course.
This new 29-week Basic SEAL Course has replaced the older 18 week course which was previously being conducted. Each module runs for 6 weeks and includes:
1 Endurance Module in which volunteers have to swim 6nm in the open seas, run 5km and 10km obstacle courses and show superior physical fitness.
2 Unarmed Combat Module in which many variations of Martial Arts are taught for individual self-defense.
3 Basic Commando Course in which training in CQC (Close Quarter Combat) and fighting in built up area range is imparted. Training in Assault Course is also provided.
4 Basic AT & S Course (Anti-Terrorist & Sniper) in which basic skills in pistol & rifle firing are taught. Physical standards of the Basic Commando course are required.
5 Basic Para-Jumping in which Para-jumping skills are taught through simulation (how to fall, left roll fall, right roll fall etc.) from 2ft, 4ft static platforms. A F-27 Fokker simulator has been installed where trainees conduct practice jumps from 35ft. finally the trainees have to make 5 real jumps from 1,500 meters to qualify for the Para-jumping wings.
