The BSD members can be recognized by their green berets with unit badges over the right eye.

The Battalion was focused on airborne assault as well as operations behind enemy lines with insertion from land, air or sea.

However, unlike most special forces in the world, the Battalion is also trained in non-combat search and rescue of civilians and providing aid as well as dealing with natural disasters.

Personnel were trained for: The Croatian General Staff exercised direct command over the battalion which thus elevated the unit to strategic level for quicker response time and overall better and faster deployment on both tactical and strategic levels.

In 2008, two women successfully completed selection and training, earning their green berets and making the BSD one of the few special forces units in the world that have women among their ranks as combat qualified operators and not just support staff.