SOF Pic of the Day: Polish GROM Members in Afghanistan – Guy D. McCardle

Polish GROM: Thunder on the Battlefield

There’s a unique charm to Poland’s elite GROM unit that feels like it was ripped straight out of an action novel—one where the good guys get things done with precision, guts, and just enough chaos to keep it interesting. GROM (Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego) is more than a special operations unit; it’s the mighty hammer of Polish resolve, smashing through the doors of tyranny since its inception in 1990.

GROM, meaning “thunder” in Polish, is a name that rolls off the tongue like a storm warning.

Modeled after NATO’s Tier 1 units—think Delta Force and the British SAS—this group stands toe-to-toe with the world’s best. And if their name doesn’t intimidate you, their operations sure as hell will.

The Silent Unseen Legacy

History isn’t just something you find in textbooks—it’s alive in GROM. Their lineage goes back to the Silent Unseen (Cichociemni), Polish paratroopers who parachuted into Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II to wreak havoc. Imagine James Bond with a vendetta. That’s the spirit GROM channels.

Fast forward to 1990: Brigadier General Sławomir Petelicki decided Poland needed its own version of thunder. His vision came to life with the backing of Operation Simoom, a hush-hush mission to extract six American intelligence officers from Iraq. It was a resounding success and the perfect résumé item for Poland’s future elite warriors.

Built for Chaos: The GROM Selection Process

The GROM selection process is notorious for its extreme difficulty and grueling nature. Taking place twice a year, in early spring or late fall, it unfolds in the rugged Bieszczady Mountains of Poland—a region British SAS operators have aptly nicknamed the “Polish jungle.” This challenging environment sets the tone for one of the toughest selection processes in the world.

To even be considered, candidates must meet strict initial requirements. They must be under 30 years old and hold Polish citizenship with a clean criminal record. Applicants can come from active or reserve military service, uniformed police forces, or even civilian backgrounds. A working knowledge of at least one foreign language is also mandatory, reflecting GROM’s emphasis on adaptability and global operations.

The selection process pushes candidates to their physical and mental limits. Intensive physical training includes punishing ruck marches and grueling conditioning exercises, all while candidates are deliberately malnourished, burning up to 5,000 calories a day. Psychological testing further weeds out those unfit for the demands of special operations. Adding to the challenge, candidates face survival exercises and extreme weather conditions, particularly the biting cold of the Polish wilderness.

GROM’s selection is divided into distinct phases, each designed to test a specific set of skills. The “Green Phase” focuses on foundational special operations skills like reconnaissance and sabotage. The “Blue Phase” shifts the focus to maritime and naval operations, requiring candidates to demonstrate their capability in water-based missions. Finally, the “Black Phase” ramps up the intensity with advanced training for high-risk operations, including hostage rescue and VIP protection. Each phase builds on the last, ensuring that only the best move forward.

The process is as long as it is brutal. Initial fitness tests and psychological evaluations alone can last up to 24 hours. Unsurprisingly, the success rate is incredibly low—only about 10% of candidates make it through to join GROM’s elite ranks. Those who do succeed are bound by the unit’s philosophy that “selection happens every day and never ends,” a mindset that ensures GROM operators maintain their elite standards throughout their careers. For those who survive the Bieszczady crucible, the reward is a place among Poland’s finest warriors.

Thunder in the Desert: GROM in Iraq

When the Iraq War kicked off in 2003, GROM wasn’t just sitting around polishing their boots. They hit the ground running—literally. Their first move? Securing the oil terminal at Umm Qasr in Basra. The mission was critical: one spark and the entire Gulf of Basra could’ve gone up in flames, taking the global economy with it. GROM made sure that didn’t happen.

They didn’t stop there. GROM operators spent their days kicking in doors, capturing high-value targets, and dismantling insurgent networks. The infamous “deck of cards” that coalition forces hunted? GROM helped collect some of those faces, ensuring terrorists didn’t get the chance to play another hand.

From the Hindu Kush to the Hostage Dens: GROM in Afghanistan

If Iraq was a proving ground, Afghanistan was a chessboard—one where every move mattered. GROM deployed in 2002, embedding themselves in the heart of the action. Whether protecting Polish soldiers in Bagram or hunting insurgents in the unforgiving terrain, they showed that their thunder wasn’t just noise; it was a calculated storm.

One of their standout missions involved rescuing over 20 hostages from a Taliban stronghold. These weren’t just clean-cut operations; they were messy, brutal, and the kind of things Hollywood movies often gloss over.

But GROM doesn’t flinch at messiness—they thrive in it.

The Brotherhood of Thunder

More than a mere military unit, GROM is a family of warriors bound by a creed. They fight with precision, operate in silence, and leave an unmistakable mark wherever they go. Their camaraderie runs deep—each operator knowing the man or woman at their side is just as tough, skilled, and unshakable as they are.

Working alongside units like Delta Force and SEAL Team 6, GROM has earned a seat at the table of elite special operations. They’ve proven that Poland isn’t just a footnote in global military operations—it’s a headline.

Naval Polska and SOFREP

Over the years SOFREP has had the great honor of claiming GROM legend Naval Polska as one of our contributors.

Naval is a former Polish special forces soldier who served in the elite GROM Military Unit from 1998 to 2012. Over his 14-year career, he participated in numerous anti-terrorist operations and foreign missions, including high-stakes deployments to the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He concluded his military service as a section commander, holding the rank of senior staff ensign.

For his exceptional contributions to combating terrorism, Naval was honored with several prestigious military decorations. These include the Order of the Military Cross (II and III class), gold, silver, and bronze GROM badges, and multiple medals recognizing his service to national defense and the armed forces. He also received the Iraq Star and Afghanistan Star for his missions in those regions.

After retiring from the military, Naval transitioned to civilian life with remarkable versatility. He became an entrepreneur, trainer, volunteer, runner, motivational speaker, and author. Drawing from his extensive experiences as a GROM operator, Naval has emerged as a respected voice on topics related to Polish special forces and their operations. His post-military career highlights his commitment to sharing knowledge, inspiring others, and continuing to serve in new and impactful ways.

Closing Thoughts

There’s an electricity in the air whenever GROM’s name comes up. They embody the spirit of the underdog: underestimated but always over-delivering. Whether it’s rescuing hostages in Afghanistan or storming oil terminals in Iraq, they bring thunder to the battlefield. And if you’re in their crosshairs, well, you’ve already lost.

In a world where chaos reigns, and the enemy is always lurking, it’s good to know GROM is out there. They’re the kind of warriors who make you want to stand a little taller, fight a little harder, and maybe, just maybe, believe in heroes again. Because thunder never strikes the same place twice—unless you’re Polish GROM, in which case, it’s just another Tuesday.