Commando

A commando is a combatant, or operative of an elite light infantry or special operations force, specially trained for carrying out raids and operating in small teams behind enemy lines.

Originally, "a commando" was a type of combat unit, as opposed to an individual in that unit. In other languages, commando and kommando denote a "command", including the sense of a military or an elite special operations unit. In the militaries and governments of most countries, commandos are distinctive in that they specialize in unconventional assault on high-value targets.

In English, to distinguish between an individual commando and a commando unit, the unit is occasionally capitalized.

In China, the term "commando unit" (突击队) does not necessarily refer to a commando unit, but refers to special forces and police tactical units in general. Such use includes the Jiaolong Commandos, Snow Leopard Commando Unit and Beijing SWAT's Blue Sword Commando unit.

The term "para-commando" may be used to combine the roles of paratrooper and commando.