Rhodesian Light Infantry Recruit Course jogs by, hauling along 26 pound FN MAG machine guns in the extreme Rhodesian heat near Cranborne Barracks, circa. 1976

The Rhodesian Light Infantry ( RLI) use relatively unique in it’s “Commando” structure and training regime. Members of the unit included local volunteers, National Service conscripts, and foreign nationals. By the height of the Rhodesian Bush War, all of these young men including the National Servicemen on call ups were trained to the same extremely high standard.

Unlike the stereotypical “drill instructors” of other army basic recruit courses common in the world, and Rhodesia at the time, the RLI training regime was unique. By no means was it a “basic” course. Men were taken off of “civvy street” sometimes, and had to quickly adapt to learn a wide variety of skills. Everything from tracking, abseiling, rock demolitions, hand to hand combat, parachutist and helicopter skills were learned top of their regular skills as infantrymen.

This “Commando” training mentality created a rigorous course, not through the mere shouting and screaming of staff NCOs, but the demands placed on the candidates themselves. Wherever possible, mental toughness and independent thought was encouraged among the recruits by their leaders.

This training mentality created a strong esprit de corps, smart soldiers and unbelievable dominance in battle. When it was all said and done, fully fledged “Commandos” in the RLI replaced their bronze cap badges, with shining silver ones on green berets #RLI