Special Operations Training Center

The Special Operations Training Centre (Martino: Centro de Entrenamiento de Operaciones Especiales, CEOE) is the primary training facility for the Special Forces of the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie. These include the Marine Corps and Special Forces of the Grand Army. Located in Cárdenas, near El Fuerte, the center is situated adjacent to the Department of Defense. The CEOE is responsible for the selection, training, and operational preparation of elite units specializing in unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and direct action.

History

Founding and Early Years

The CEOE was established in 1697 AN as part of a broader mondernization effort within the Federal Forces. It was built on the site of a former military academy, leveraging existing infrastructure and historical significance.

Initially, the centre focused on basic commando training and small-unit tactics, with its curriculum influenced by international special forces doctrines. In 1712 AN, the CEOE expanded to include advanced demolition, sniper training, and urban combat. The campus expanded from its modest training grounds into a multi-facility centre through the opening of the Survival College in 1710 AN and a Medical Wing in 1722 AN.

Expansion and Modernization

Under the National Plan for the Armed Forces proposed in 1730 AN by the government of Marissa Santini, the CEOE received an investment of over €5.3 billion to expand and upgrade. Through the program, the facility underwent significant expansion, adding cutting-edge facilities for simulated combat environment, cyber warfare training, and joint operations with naval and air forces. Psychological resilience programs were also introduced to prepare operatives for the mental demands of high-stakes missions.

In 1740 AN, with the creation of the Cyber Force, the CEOE was expanded by the creation of a dedicated Cyber Center to train the new branch in specialised operations and critical infrastructure protection.

In 1758 AN, at the command of the Secretary of Defense, the CEOE was subordinated to the Royal Military Academy.

Layout

The CEOE is divided into multiple parts, with a main campus and four specialised facilities for commando, ranger, marine, and paratrooper training, respectively.

Main Campus

The Main Campus (Martino: Campo Principale) is divided into several zones and facilities:

• Administrative HQ - houses the main command structure, intelligence briefing rooms, an operational planning center, and secure communications hub.
• Training Grounds - includes obstacle courses, shooting ranges (including indoor and outdoor), urban combat simulation areas, and live-fire tactical ranges.
• Tactical Village - known colloquially as "Helltown" (Martino: "Pueblo del Infierno"), provides mock urban environment for CQB training, hostage rescue scenarios, and breaching drills. Includes a multi-story training complex with reconfigurable interiors.
• Survival College - remote area for wilderness survival, evasion, and escape training, including extreme weather and terrain adaptation.
• Technical Labs - known colloquially as "Hell's Kitchen" (Martino: "Cocina del Infierno"), a facility for EOD, cyber operations, communications training, and electronic warfare simulations.
• Intelligence Hub - facility dedicated to reconnaissance, drone operations, and SIGINT training.
• Fitness & Rehabilitation Center - facility equipped with high-altitude training chambers, recovery facilities, and medical labs.
• Logistics & Supply Depot - manages equipment, ammunition, and vehicle maintenance for all training operations.
• Accomodation Complex - provides housing, leisure, and storage facilities for trainees and staff, with facilities including:
  • Barracks Complex - housing for trainees, instructors, and support staff, including secure areas for classified briefings.
  • Mess Hall & Recreation Area - centralised dining and leisure facilities to foster camaraderie and recovery.
  • Armoury - storage and customisation of specialised firearms, ordnance, and tactical gear.
• Medical Wing - provides combat medicine training and emergency trauma response drills.

Specialist Zones

Known colloquially as the 'Villages', there are a total of four training centers specialised in the education and operational training of one particular unit.

1. Commando Training Center - trains Commandos, units specialised in direct action, special reconnaissance, and counterterrorism. Facilities include:
   1. CQB Shoot House - multi-room, modular structure for room clearing, hostage rescue, and dynamic entry drills.
   2. Breaching Range - specialist range for training in explosive, mechanical, and ballistic breaching techniques.
   3. Urban Assault Course - specialist obstacle course for high-risk urban combat with civilian presence.
   4. Tactical Driving Track - specialist track for high-speed pursuit, evasion, and vehicle-based combat training.
   5. Sniper Range: specialist range for advanced long-range engagement and anti-sniper tactics.
2. Ranger Training Center - trains Rangers, units specialised in long-range reconnaissance, deep penetration missions, and unconventional warfare. Facilities include:
   1. Tracking Range - advanced range for stealth, camouflage, and detection avoidance training.
   2. Long-Range Patrol Course - advanced obstacle course for multi-mission training with minimal support, resupply, and enemy contact scenarios.
   3. Demolitions Range - specialist range for training in targeted destruction of infrastructure, bridges, and enemy supply lines.
   4. Foreign Internal Defence Range - specialist range for training allied forces and conducting civil-military operations.
3. Marine Training Center - trains Marines, units specialised in amphibious operations, coastal reconnaissance, and river warfare. Facilities include:
   1. Beach Assault Training Area - specialist course simulating amphibious landings under fire, including naval landing and long-range insertion.
   2. Small Boat Operations Dock - specialist naval facility for training of raiding, interdiction, and maritime boarding actions.
   3. Underwater Demolition Range - specialist indoor water facility for combat diving, underwater sabotage, and obstacle clearance training.
   4. Coastal Navigation Center - provides training on analogue and electronical navigation of coastal, riverine, and maritime environments.
4. Paratrooper Training Center - trains Paratrooper, units specialised in airborne operations, rapid deployment, and vertical envelopment. Facilities include:
   1. Drop Zone Area - Multiple zones for static-line; HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening); and HAHO (High Altitude, High Opening) jumps.
   2. Free-Fall Simulator: indoor wind tunnel for practicing free-fall maneuvers and stability.
   3. Aerial Insertion Center - provides training on mission planning, jump calculations, and coordination with air assets.

Cyber Center

The Cyber Center is the main training center for the Cyber Force, the Forces branch dedicated to provide cybersecurity and information warfare capabilities. Its facilities include:

1. Operations Hub - provides training in real-time cyber mission coordination, including network attack, defence, and monitoring.
2. Network Hacking Lab - secure facility equipped with isolated, classified networks for practicing hacking, exploitation, and vulnerability assessment.
3. Encryption Training Center - provides training on advanced cryptography, secure communications, and data protection.

Organisation

The CEOE is led by a Commandant (typically a Brigadier General or Colonel) with extensive special operations experience. The Commandant is assisted by:

1. Deputy Commandant for Operations - Oversees training programs and operational readiness.
2. Deputy Commandant for Administration - Manages logistics, personnel, and infrastructure.
3. Chief Instructor - Senior NCO responsible for curriculum development and instructor oversight.

Divisions

The CEOE is organised into five specialist divisions, one for each 'Village' and one for the Cyber Force:

• Commando Division
• Ranger Division
• Marine Division
• Paratrooper Division
• Cyber Division

Recruit Selection and Soldier Life

Training at the CEOE takes up at least 42 weeks, divided into three blocks:

1. Selection Course: a 6-week assessment known as the "Trial by Fire" (Martino: "Prueba de Fuego"), during which recruits are rigorously assessed and vetted before entry into basic training. CEOE is notorious for having a 70% attrition rate, ensuring top quality persists.
2. Basic Operator Course: 6 months of intensive training in weapons, tactics, and mission planning.
3. Advanced Specialisation Courses: operators may pursue additional 3-6 months in specialist operations, including sniper, demolitions, or intelligence.

After graduation, special forces operators require annual recertification, as well as biennial advanced training that lasts at least 6 weeks.

See also

• Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie
• El Fuerte
• Department of Defense (Nouvelle Alexandrie)