Jaeger Corps (Denmark)

The Jaeger Corps (Jægerkorpset) is an elite special operations force of the Danish Defence part of Special Operations Command, formerly of the Royal Danish Army, based at Aalborg Air Base.

History
The Jaeger Corps traces its origins to 1785 when the corps was first formed as the "Jaeger Corps of Zealand". Zealand, the largest island in Denmark, is the closest region of Denmark to Sweden. Facing emerging threats from Sweden, Prussia and Britain, Denmark created a light infantry force the Jaeger Corps of Zealand from hunters and woodsmen. The corps existed in various forms until it was remade in its current form in 1962 where Major P.B.Larsen and First lieutenant Jørgen Lyng were the first two to complete the training.

Throughout the Cold War, the Jaegers' primary tasking was that of a long-range reconnaissance unit, with wide renown for their skills in parachute operations. In the post-Cold War era, the Jaegers deployed for the first time in 1995 to Sarajevo, Bosnia with a six-man team counter-sniper team.

Following the advent of the post-9/11 Global War on Terror, the Jaegers were modernized to better meet the developing threat of global terrorism. As such, the Jaegers increased their proficiency in counter-terrorism skills, while still maintaining their excellence at reconnaissance operations.

In 2002, the Jaegers were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Danish contribution to Task Force K-Bar, along with the Frogman Corps. During these operations, the Jaegers took part in de-mining operations, reconnaissance in support of conventional forces, the capturing of high-value targets, and direct-action raids on Taliban and al-Qaeda positions. As part of Task Force K-Bar, the Jaegers were awarded "The Presidential Unit citation" on 7 December 2004 for its effort as part of the joint-forces special forces group in Afghanistan.

The first Jaeger to be killed in combat, was in 2013, when a Jaeger was hit by an explosion in Afghanistan. Four Jaegers have previously died following training accidents.

Selection and training
The selection course to become a Jaegers is very demanding, both mentally and physically. For a candidate to be accepted into the corps, he/she must complete the following:
 * Pre-course 1 (5 days)
 * Introduces the candidate to the subjects covered in the patrol course, and gives the candidate a feel for what he/she must get better at. (Orienteering, swimming, etc.)


 * Pre-course 2 (2 days)
 * More training and evaluation in the above covered subjects.


 * Pre-course 3 (2 days)
 * More training and evaluation in the above covered subjects with tougher requirements.


 * Patrol Course (8 weeks)
 * Basic medical, demolition and marksmanship using basic direct-action and special reconnaissance training events to assess candidates. This course must be completed at a satisfactory level to continue to the aspirant course.


 * Selection Course (8 weeks)
 * Candidates receive training in advanced breaching, close-quarters battle, demolition, sniping and demolition. If passed the candidate is awarded his/her "bugle" for the beret.


 * Basic parachuting course (2 weeks)
 * Combat Swimming Course (2 weeks)

Approximately, 10% pass the program to receive the burgundy beret to become a full member of the corps. The successful Jaeger candidates report to the unit and receive both team and individual training during their first (probationary) year. During this time they will receive High Altitude Parachute Operations (HAPO) training in High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) and High Altitude High Opening (HAHO), environmental training (desert and winter), advanced infiltration training (mountain, nontactical vehicle, ski and rotary-wing), attain Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) certification and gain additional communications skills, hand to hand combat system called MTM-comabt (Man-to-Man) was developed by Peter Hedegaard in collaboration with two of the corps's own close combat instructors in 1992.

Insignia and status
The Jaeger Corps wear a maroon beret with a brass emblem depicting a hunter's bugle on a black felt liner. After one year of satisfactory service and training in corps the wearer is issued the shoulder patch "JÆGER" and may call himself by this name. The unit's insignia features a hunting horn from their origin as hunters and woodsmen.

The Jaeger Corps is composed of around 150 highly trained soldiers with special expertise in counter-terrorism, demolitions, parachuting, and combat swimming, HAHO and HALO parachuting, infiltration, sabotage, reconnaissance and more. The corps regularly trains with similar units from different countries, such as the US Navy SEALs, US Army DELTA, British SAS and the Danish naval special forces group, the Frogman Corps. The corps is based on the structure and modus operandi of the British SAS.

Their slogan, which is Latin, Plus esse, quam simultatur translates to Hellere at være, end at synes ("Rather to be, than to seem") in Danish, meaning that the soldier's capabilities do not have to be widely recognized or boasted—they are only more effective if unknown.

International Joint Training
Like most western Special Operations Forces, the Jaegers regularly take part in joint training operations with other NATO and Coalition SOFs. These exercises include reconnaissance patrols throughout Europe, arctic survival training, helicopter insertion techniques, parachute insertion techniques, hostage rescue training, Close Air Support training, medical training, and other SOF-specific skills.

Allied units that the Jaegers regularly train with include:
 * US Army Special Forces
 * US Navy SEALs
 * US Army DELTA
 * 22nd Special Air Service Regiment
 * Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK)
 * SASR
 * Särskilda operationsgruppen
 * Kommando Spezialkräfte