[6] At the time there was no clear division between paramilitary and military units while cadres that received training from former Soviet and Russian instructors generally enjoyed more popularity among the Georgian leadership.

In order to replace the Soviet model with something that would resemble highest international standards the so-called SOF Train and Equip Program was established with financial and material assistance from Turkey.

Since 2001, Georgia has intensified the training of its elite forces in cooperation with American, French, British, Israeli and other countries' special services.

[9] In the framework of said program over $6 million were committed by the Georgian government itself to properly arm and supply the country's special forces battalion so that training in accordance to US and NATO standards was ensured.

[16][17] Following the 2014 Wales summit joint training exercises between US-and Georgian special forces officially renewed and since then are held on a regular basis.

The unit strictly opposed the violent behaviour of autonomous paramilitary groups such as Mkhedrioni who committed ethnically motivated crimes, and forbade its members to partake in such actions under the threat of capital punishment.

Examples include the surprise raid and recapture of Khobi from rebels, spreading misinformation among opposition forces that resulted in the unit securing strategically vital locations for the government, such as the port city Poti, disarming insurrectionist groups and recovering military equipment captured by the enemy.

However, the Alpha unit would not engage in direct combat operations in Abkhazia as it was mostly tasked with confronting Zviadist forces in Georgia proper.

It also carried out a number of successful hostage rescue operations, but its inexperience and bold approach with such situations resulted in friction between them and the police, and sometimes near disasters.

[27] The "White Eagles", one of the few professional units of the Georgian military at the time, National Guard specifically, were part of the garrison in the coastal town Gagra which was struck by a massed separatist assault during the War in Abkhazia.

Russian involvement became very apparent in that period when an unidentified force consisting of hundreds of soldiers with unmarked uniforms were landed at the coast south of the town and started to push against the Georgian defences.

In the ensuing battle which was costly for both sides, Gocha Karkarashvili, the leader of the White Eagles, and 11 of his men were killed when defending Gagra to their last moment.

Clashes and arrests occurred all over the region when Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that the Georgian government handle the situation as it presented a direct threat.

[31][32] Georgian special forces have been accused multiple times to have carried out numerous assassinations and acts of sabotage in the North Caucasus and within the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

[33] Russia also accused Georgia of using its special forces to train and equip Chechen militants in the Pankisi Gorge who then would cross the Georgian-Russian border to commit terrorist acts in the Russian Federation.

[40] There are also claims that Russian special forces prevented Georgian saboteurs from damaging or destroying the Roki tunnel, Russia's main supply line for the conflict region.

[42][43] Sergeant Kakhaber Tavgorashvili, who was assistant counter-terrorist instructor, was reportedly killed by an Ossetian sniper at Shanghai street in Tskhinvali on 8 August.

[46] In 2012 one combat medic of the special forces, corporal Vladimer Khvedelidze, was killed during a controversial engagement with 20 armed militants crossing the Georgian-Dagestani border.

[47][48] According to the official version, security forces were reinforced by military after a group of armed men took locals hostage and demanded ransom.

In midst of the shootout, the army special forces corpsman tried to evacuate a wounded officer but got attacked and both men died on the spot.

Their task was to respond to insurgent attacks on Coalition forces and other peacekeeping elements as well as conduct patrols, provide base security, VIP and convoy protection in conjunction with U.S.

Towards the end of the ISAF mission from March to October 2014 the former Mountain-Reconnaissance Battalion was deployed to Afghanistan, mainly stationed at the Kandahar Air Base amidst the withdrawal process.

As of 2017[update] the GSOF are being prepared by SOCOM for instructor and advisory roles for conventional multinational forces and be able to assist, conduct and lead joint training exercises and international missions like their US counterparts.

They are subordinate to the primary HQ but as part of the respective autonomous military commands, maintain their own sub divisions such as staffs, control-communications & counterintelligence, medical, logistics and supply unit as well other supporting elements.

Throughout the course, future Rangers will be trained in leading combat operations in different weather and on different terrain such as forests / jungles, mountains and populated areas.

There they will deal with following subjects: During the preparation for the actual training program, the candidates will acquire the minimum of required skills and experience to pass the specialization course.

Initial admission criteria are restricted to ages 18–30 inclusive, Georgian citizenship, a secondary or higher education and a positive report from the medical commission provided by the school itself.

The applicants will receive all necessary theoretical and practical insight and training in order to be able to conduct operations under similar conditions as the Special Forces School.

[83][84] The main purpose of the Special Operations School is for applicants to acquire and master necessary skillsets and insight to conduct special missions and operations under extremely tense physical and psychological pressure in provided close to real scenarios so that realistic and prompt evaluations of situations and relevant and important decision making is schooled and refined.

Active servicemen who can prove a satisfactory medical report and successfully passed the entrance examinations, as well as all other requirements, will be allowed to take part in the course.