It is trained primarily as a special missions unit to conduct direct action raids and assaults in very adverse or sensitive situations.
Other missions include siege breaking, traditional direct action commando hit and run raids, enemy camp/target seizures and destruction.
[1] Selection phase include a four-day navigating day and night in the Zambezi Valley while carrying a 30 kg weight on an empty stomach.
Further training curriculum includes river crossing, mountain climbing, reconnaissance, anti-hijacking, sniping, unarmed combat, tracking and bush craft.
Their character profile is found with it men of courage, discipline, fearlessness, above average motivation, supreme aggression, that they are the deadliest and the best of the best, physically very fit and agile, that nobody is better than them, that once engaged in battle they will never run away from the enemy or surrender, that where regular troops have failed is where their job starts, that they are the cream of the ZNA.
In conventional warfare, generally this unit traditionally experiences more extended hardcore military violence than the SAS who conversely perform highly sensitive, very difficult and precision missions.
Members of the Parachute regiment are renowned for carving out a reputation for professionalism, resilience, courage, endurance, aggression and supreme physical fitness.
The selection and training of paratroopers is an exacting process and in many ways similar in principle to that of the commandos but differs in doctrine to produce a very special type of a soldier the regiment wants.
They are trained to conduct diverse missions, from conventional prevention and pre-emptive duties, to complex, high amplitude war fighting.
In the year 2021 the commando, Parachute and special air service regiments have been deployed to Mozambique as part of a task force to Counter the insurgency and terrorism.
It is designed to select men with the requisite character and profile capable to serve as SAS soldiers.Zim SAS operators are trained to solve and conduct the most complex special operations missions far beyond the proficiency or capability of any other unit of the Zimbabwe security forces, including those of the famed commando and Parachute regiments shaming the same.
It is also trained in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, the clandestine elimination of terrorists/terrorism both within and without the borders of the country, surgical/precision strikes of very high value targets, HALO/HAHO parachuting, high risk sensitive missions, direction of air strikes, counter insurgency,long range reconnaissance, special reconnaissance, VIP protection, anti hijacking, blackmail, sabotage, infiltration, kidnapping, direct action, surreptitious entry, psychological warfare, intimidation, counter intelligence, advance security operations, scrounging, assassinations, foreign internal defense, chemical and biological warfare, siege breaking, linguistics, proficiency in small arms, navigation, camouflage, stealth, unarmed combat, close quarter battle amongst others.
They also possess the capability of also training, organising, and advising a host nations para-military and military forces for the sustenance of internal security.
However, since Zimbabwe conducted land reforms and severed good relations with the UK and its allies, the Zim SAS suffered by being excluded from participating in such crucial exchange programs.
It remains the only unit in Africa and the only black country officially authorised to wear the distinguishing features of an "SAS operator" and also use the title, "Special Air Service".
From their exploits in the Second Congo war, the SAS and commando regiments are forever honored from their professional performance as arguably the greatest ever special forces to ever operate on African soil and for that type of warfare.
Some sources[10] claim Zimbabwean commandos led the final assault on UNITA leading to the eventual killing of Jonas Savimbi.
Zimbabwean commandos led by Captain Chrispen Nyachiwowo defended Kinshasa against rebels and invading Ugandan and Rwandan army units.
The Parachute Regiment suffered a heavy blow when 15 soldiers and their CASA 212 were captured after landing on an airstrip already controlled by the invading forces.
It was the Zimbabwean airmen who secured the Matadi corridor, Bukavu and the Inga dam with the support of the Zim commandos, SAS, Paras and Amphibious sqn.