Home » Coalition SOF » Polish GROM: Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego

Polish GROM: Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego

by · June 15, 2012 · Posted In: Coalition SOF, Special Operations
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I posted this video around a year ago when I was working at Military.com. Very glad I stepped away but that’s another story entirely.

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This video is what we in the Teams would call a “pipe hitter”, and showcases a robust Polish capability. The GROM worked closely with many SOF units in Iraq and have a very solid reputation in the global SOF community. Read between the lines and you’ll realize that you don’t want these fellas knocking on your door.



Let us know what you think. We’re always looking for new video footage, so if you come across any new uploads send them our way. Marcin?…

Out here.

Brandon

About The Author

Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy SEAL with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Middle East. His last tour in the SEAL Teams was as the Course Manager for the US Navy SEAL Sniper program, arguably one of the most difficult sniper courses in the world. He was formerly a contributing editor for Military.com, and currently the Editor-in-Chief of SOFREP.com. Brandon is regularly featured in the media as a subject matter expert on military affairs. An avid writer, his last two books (The Red Circle, & Benghazi: The Definitive Report) both hit the New York Times best seller list, and his writing has been featured in print, and digital media worldwide. You can follow him on Twitter @BrandontWebb
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Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

Wow, being a dinosaur and having participated in the Cold War, it is amazing to see the changes in our world.  I was between deployments in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down.  The spring of 1990 I deployed with the USS Eisenhower, ended up staying for all of Gulf War 1.

 

My great uncle Stanely, born in a suburb of Warsaw was such a character, he married my grandmother's younger sister.  He was a iron worker that traveled to the big construction jobs through the late 1920 and 1930's.  The picture I have on my avatar this week is of his Father in law, my great grandfather.  He was known for his fine horse teams, the picture is of him with one of his prize colts.

 

The little Russian I picked up, doesn't GROM roughly translate as: "Thunder?" @Marcin Rak 

KineticFury
KineticFury like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Old PH2 Off topic, but "the Man" (Ronald Reagan for you wussies) gave his "tear down this wall speech" this last week, 25 years ago - 12 June 1987.

You mentioned the Berlin wall and so I couldn't resist.

 

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Old PH2 Yes - GROM in Polish is thunder. It is on Unit's badge in eagle's talons.

katgirl231
katgirl231

 @Marcin Rak I love that name!

chrishutch13
chrishutch13 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Marcin Rak

 Either way, great unit nonetheless. I'm sorry there always seem to be some sort of controversy and stories surrounding units like this and many man who served in them but they get nothing but respect from me. I'm very proud of the "Jednostka Specjalna Grom" coin given to me by Roman Polko. 

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak

 @chrishutch13  @katgirl231 It is only the speculation. The Unit has a name Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego (Operational&Mobile Respond Group). If you will take first letters of each word you will received GROM. Late Gen. Petelicki was closed to Gromosław Czempiński who was vice-director of OUP (something like hmmm CIA?). Gromosław Czempiński was responsible for mission in Iraq in summer 1990. Polish services (Gen. Czempiński and two other Polish officers) organized and carried out the escape of less then 10 CIA agents from Iraq. After this successful operation White House provided the secret instruction to Pentagon to give all necessary help to Poland in creating the Unit GROM. So for sure Gen. Czempiński helped Gen. Petelicki to create the Unit. But now after the death of Gen. Petelicki we will never discover the true...

Ravage
Ravage

 @chrishutch13  @katgirl231 The name GROM was made up first, only after they decided it would be an acronym. Petelicki claimed it was in honor of his former commander Gromoslaw Czępiński.

chrishutch13
chrishutch13

 @katgirl231

 But it was named after a person (and "thunder" just happened to fit nice), wasn't it Mr. Rak?

Ravage
Ravage

There are many misconceptions about this unit. GROM rose to prminance during its stint in Iraq from 2003 to 2008. Thing is, when they were in Iraq, they were under American Command. That enabled them to operate quite freely, like most US SOF units. Many take that and turn it over to Afghanistan. Thing is, Afghanistan is different. They are no longer under American control, hence the tasks are not as ...'sexy'...as they would like them to be. This has its consequences.As for Petelicki, there are many myths surrounding him. Most of which are made up, just like the Marcinko stories.Fact is, for some years now, he's been trying to get his own name out, pulling BS stories to the media. Every time I saw the guy in the media, he'd loose more and more respect in my eyes. Sad story, but I'd guess he just could not take it not being the Big Man anymore.Every death is a tragedy, but dont' turn it into a national tragedy. He shot him self, lets leave it at that.

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak

 @Ravage Have you known General Petelicki by yourself? Have you served with him, under his command? If yes your are free to make the comment and to suffer consequences . In not please think twice before you write anything. Please have a respect for the late General.

Ravage
Ravage

 @Marcin Rak I could ask you the same question. You are making him into a martyr. Whatever you choose to belive will not change the fact that he shot himself. It happens. I've had friends and family that opted to kill themselfs - it's never easy to cope with that. So I understand your disbelief.You may start a crusade of honors and praises for Petelicki. But if knew him as much as you say you did (or claim to), you should know about his work: polit backing for a surtent unit to stay in theatere, when they were receving negative opinions from their counterparts; spreading missinformation about another Task Force, especially after a surtent mission that went down in late october 2010?

You lionise him, well.....people are always reluctant to hear bad things about their hero.So I understnad you will not agree.

EliasFreire
EliasFreire

 @Ravage Thank you for the answers, I didn't know that they were so based in a specific american SOF unit (which I guess it's CAG).

Ravage
Ravage like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @EliasFreire My comment was directed twoards the Polish military, I'm not American.My thoughts? They had the incredible luxury of being developed from day one acording to western standards. They had the opportunity to train aside some of Americas best SOF units. In Iraq, they were under an american SOF command. That enabled them to really shine and show, what GROM is trully capable of.Iraq was the milestone from which GROMs international legend and fame was forged.Like one Night Stalker told me: there are units that are simply resourced for success - GROM being one such unit.

One thing you will never hear in the media, is that a lot them are so into a surtent Ft.Bragg based unit, that those guys would wear pink skirts into an OP, I would not be suprised if our guys would do the same thing.GROM is this nations best financed, most experianced and best developed SOF unit. But they are still soldiers.

EliasFreire
EliasFreire

 @Ravage Man, I know that you are not questioning their capabilities, I just would like to know from you what your thoughts on their training, capabilities and mental toughness, it's just a question. :)

 

In which cases are they ahead of the US SOF for instance?

Ravage
Ravage

 @EliasFreire As I said, no one is questioning their training and capabilities - in many cases, they are years ahead of most of what you will see in our military.

EliasFreire
EliasFreire

 @Ravage I got it, yes, I guess. But I still ask you about their training and capabilities (and the mental toughness as well), since you seem to know them deeper than I do.

Ravage
Ravage

 @EliasFreire Well then I'd guess other stars are doing the wrong thing...No one is questioning their training and capabilities. It's how some people see themselfs in the genreal equation, thats the issue.

EliasFreire
EliasFreire

 @Ravage The latter one, but why would they be critiized for trying to do more than they had been asked for? I thought they were being criticized because of their capabilities, and I was curious because I always hold GROM in high regard. How would you describe their capabilities Ravage?

Ravage
Ravage

 @EliasFreire When you're a star, and you're no longer treated like one, but given less than sexy work - will you do what you're asked for? Or will you try to prove you're still the Big Man?

EliasFreire
EliasFreire

 @Ravage  Just for curiosity, which negative opinions was GROM receiving from their counterparts? Could you share with us?

chrishutch13
chrishutch13

 @Ravage

It was also a loss for me... as it is when any warrior who was willing to serve and sacrifice goes...

Ravage
Ravage

 @Marcin Rak The "Respect for other SOF units" is the part I will not agree with. But thats for another day. He loved his 'child', so much as he was ready to dump on other services. And the man spoke about honor.... And yes, my sources are as reliable as they can be. You should know.Sorry to see him go, but maybe that will change a few things, but it probably won't.

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak

 @Ravage No - I have not met General personally. But I know people (we are close)  who knows General and I see their respect to him. I will not start crusade as we all could have own opinions. Just be sure that you have enough information to create this opinion.

I will not judge General's political opinions, his behaviors when he was out of military - not one thing after another. In my opinion if you will look at his whole life you will see how he was important for GROM and other SOF units. He was strong personality so it was easy to like him or hate him.

If you will look at official web pages of JW GROM or Polish DWS (Polish Special Forces Command) you will see respect for General and grief. So it is not martyr case. It is matter of respect. For me is it lost for SOF community in Poland. For me it is lost personally too.

 

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak

To all - GROM is in deep mourning today! Our first Commander General Sławomir Petelicki died today. All is so sad and unclear. Nobody nows what really happen. The radio stations and TV new talk about suicide but i do not believe in it!!! General and suicide?

Please share a moment with us to pray for His soul! R.I.P Commander!

SEAN SPOONTS
SEAN SPOONTS like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

I know I've said this before but I love the Poles. They are all guts and heart. If only all our allies were as stalwart. That name GROM is just the coolest. And I think Martin is the only Pole I have ever heard of with an actual vowel in his last name. Lol

MattFanning
MattFanning like.author.displayName 1 Like

I've read that GROM was on the ground with US special operations forces in Iraq at least a month before the kick off of the "official war".  They were widely loved during that war for their extremely loose RoE as well.

Tango9
Tango9 moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @MattFanning If you read American Sniper, Chris K. gives account of his time with them.

KineticFury
KineticFury like.author.displayName 1 Like

Timely post, I was actually just looking at your old post about them last night. ... And we're all glad you started this site  on your way out of marketing.com.

 

Another good thing about this site - no G.I. Bill pop-ups!

SleazyWeazel
SleazyWeazel

Note to bad guy on behalf of GROM:  If we gave you a warning prior to killing you, then we obviously didn't move our asses fast enough.  Which really doesn't happen that much........;)

 

P.S.   How could you NOT love that video?!  :)

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak like.author.displayName 1 Like

Roger, Brandon! Give me some days. For sure I will have some new photos from GROM's training and op. For now - all interested please look at official web page of the Unit (it is in English now) - http://www.grom.wp.mil.pl/en/18.html

mrader
mrader

wow... thats awesome!

LauraWalkerKC
LauraWalkerKC moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

Damn!  :)

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @LauraWalkerKC

 Who doesnt love seeing our Allies like that? Mother Russia Im sure!

KineticFury
KineticFury like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @ArcticWarrior you been following soccer lately? Sovi..err Russians in Warsaw again. Only this time its fist-fights. 

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior

 @KineticFury

 I saw that. Few Russian Hoodlums making trouble. And it eneded in a draw. Russians cant be happy about that.

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

The bus takedown was awesome. BW are they SEAL equivalents? the video seems to highlight a lot of maritime type stuff and do they cross train with us often?

They look badass and they have the reputation for being badass.

DominiqueSumner
DominiqueSumner like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @ArcticWarrior There are several Polish SOF units. GROM is their primary CT/special mission unit. The Army also has the 1st Special Commando Regiment, and a new "Ranger" type unit called AGAT. The polish Navy's SOF unit is the "Formoza" combat diver unit. There's an intel/support unit called NIL, and their in the process of trying to form an SOF aviation unit.

TOMBSTONE
TOMBSTONE like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @ArcticWarrior Hell i yeah i was thinking the same thing, that bus take down gave me the heeby jeebies. I've never really  thought about how best to tackle that sort of bus scenario. Looks like GROM nailed it though.

Marcin Rak
Marcin Rak like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @ArcticWarrior Some info from Polish Special Forces Command:

"This is the first Polish unit, which has been organized by the best of British and American models. This formation is prepared to conduct a comprehensive special operations, direct actions and antiterrorist missions in conditions of peace, crisis and war. GROM unit can be compared to world well-known special formations: • USA - 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (so-called Delta Force) • USA - SEALs Team VI (DEVGRU) • United Kingdom - Special Air Service (SAS) • Israel - Sayeret Matkal. GROM soldiers possess skills useful in complex rescue operations aiming at rescuing hostages from the hands of terrorists. They can operate on land, but also on water (ships and drilling rigs) and air. GROM works in teams of four. These teams consist of well-trained and equipped commandos, who apart from general training hold two specialties, being radio telegraphists, marksmen, sappers, chemists, doctors, drivers. The group also includes analysts, electronics engineers, IT specialists, pyrotechnicians and other technicians. Thanks to them cooperation of individual teams is plausible. Each soldier is a professional in conducting special operations. They undertake several month-long arduous trainings in parachuting, diving, etc. Candidates for GROM service need to pass psychological and physical efficiency tests, and so-called “truth attempt”, which is a physically and mentally exhaustive field test, in which the weakest drop out. GROM soldiers gain experience through participation in missions and trainings with the best special units in the world. Participation in missions: 1994 Haiti; 1996 Balkans; 2002 - 2003 Kuwait; 2002 - 2008 Iraq; Since 2002 Afghanistan. GROM from the beginning was a fully professional formation. In Armed Forces, this has ensured the highest possible degree of training and preparation for different tasks in the country and beyond its borders. The unit is under a direct supervision of the Special Forces Commander."