It all started with the problems the army had suppressing the Republic of South Maluku (RMS) separatist movement in November and December 1950. Then came a suggestion from Lt. Col. Slamet Riyadi, commander of Group II, Army Expeditionary Troops, for a commando unit within the Indonesian Armed Forces. However he never had a chance to realize his plan. He was killed in action in the Maluku conflict.

The idea did not go away. Commander Army and Regio