Virginia Commando

{{infobox military unit

|unit_name= Virginia Commando

|image=SADF era Virginia Commando emblem.jpg

|image_size=160px

|caption=Virginia Commando emblem

|dates=

|country= {{ZAF}}

|allegiance={{plainlist|

{{flag|South Africa|1928|name=Republic of South Africa}}
{{flag|South Africa|1994|name=Republic of South Africa}}

}}

|branch={{plainlist|

{{army|South Africa|1981}}
{{army|South Africa|1994}}

}}

|type= Infantry

|role= Light Infantry

|size= One Battalion

|command_structure=South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 24

|garrison= Virginia, South Africa

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Virginia Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

=Origins=

==With the SADF==

During this era, the commando was mainly tasked with area force protection, search and cordones and stock theft control assisting the rural police.

The unit resorted under the command of Group 24.

==With the SANDF==

===Disbandment===

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.{{cite web |url=http://www.issafrica.org/Pubs/ASR/6No2/VanStade.html |title=Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge |access-date=5 March 2015 |year=1997 |author=Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316204323/https://issafrica.org/pubs/asr/6no2/vanstade.html |archive-date=16 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/rural_safety/eng/pages/no2e.htm|title=About the Commando system|access-date=2008-01-17}} The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.{{cite web|last1=de Lange|first1=Deon|title=South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200805290408.html|work=Cape Argus|access-date=5 March 2015|url-access=subscription }}

Unit Insignia

File:SADF era Virginia Commando insignia.jpg