The 1 Reconnaissance Commando was the first South African special forces unit, founded by General Fritz Loots – the founder of the South African Special Forces, and the first General Officer Commanding of the South African Special Forces. He appointed 11 qualified paratroopers (known as “The Dirty Dozen”, although they were made up of only 11 men) as the founder members. Included in these 11 paratroopers was Jan Breytenbach, who was placed in command of the Founder Members by General Loots.

THOSE WHO SERVED
Ashton, Gregory Breytenbach, Jan Dirk Carstens, Hermann Conradie, Johannes L. Kenaasda Costa, Almerindo Mourão De Gouveia, J. Homem JohnnyFloyd, Trevor Ian Fourie, Frans J. Fourie, Schalk W. Greeff, Jack Kloppers, Jacob Schalk KloppiesLiebenberg, LiebManuel, Adrian Nelson Moorcroft, Jacobus Johannes KoosMore, John Reeves Myburgh, Hans Queiroz, Amilcar Manuel Rodriques Goncalves Ribeiro, Jose Correia Pinto Steyn, Douw van Zyl, Petrus Paulus PepWest, Mike Zeelie, Fred J.
1 Recce
South Africa
FORMED 1972
Army, Special Forces
DISBANDED IN 1997