the special operations unit in 1981, the CTOE ceased to be just an instruction facility but also served as the HQ for the new Portuguese special operations unit. The unit members wear a grass green beret and are the heir of the Special Hunters: the beret badge includes a trumpet — a symbol of the Special Hunters; and the unit is known as Rangers because the first instructors of the Special Hunters completed the United States Army Ranger Course and adapted the characteristics of that training to the Special Operations Course. The unit has operated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, East-Timor, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Mali. CTOE courses The CTOE has several courses: COE - Curso de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Course): direct action (reconnaissance, raids, hostage and POW rescues) and indirect action (insurgency and guerrilla, counter-insurgency and counter-guerrilla, military aid)]. Sniper Course (requires previous COE). Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Course (requires previous COE): reconnaissance and direct action special operations. Irregular Operations Course (only for officers and NCOs of the permanent cadre): organisation, instruction, and orientation of irregular forces with of the objective of defending the national territory (Portugal) when invaded and start the resistance. Psychological Operations Course. Mountaineering Course. Terrorist Threats' Prevention and Combat Course. For those already badged as special operations soldiers, there are also courses outside the CTOE: Combat Diving Course Demolitions Course Forward Air Controller Course Combat Medic Course Signals Course NBC Course HUMINT Course Military Parachuting Course Small Boat Handling Course Special Operations soldiers also take courses in friendly countries: Airborne / Special Forces - United States Sniper Course - United Kingdom Winter Patrol Course - Germany Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol School Course - Germany Special Operations Course - Spain Cold weather training - Norway Jungle Warfare - Brazil Organization The CTOE is regiment level unit, commanded by a colonel, which includes: Commanding officer Staff Headquarters Company Training Battalion Public Attendance Office Special Operations Force Special Operations Force The Special Operations Force (FOE - Força de Operações Especiais) is the operational component of the CTOE. It can constitute a special operations task group (SOTG) or it can contribute to a joint SOTG which can be created with special operations elements from other branches of the Armed Forces. Organisation The FOE is commanded by a lieutenant-colonel and includes six special operations task units (SOTU). Each SOTU is commanded by a captain (except SOTU A1, which is commanded