| Unit Name: | 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion |
| Dates: | 1949-Present |
| Type: | Special operations forces |
| Role: | Air assault Amphibious reconnaissance Amphibious warfare Artillery observer Bomb disposal CBRN defense Clandestine operation Close-quarters battle Direct action Force protection Forward air control HUMINT Irregular warfare ISTAR Jungle warfare Long-range penetration Military intelligence Mountain warfare Parachuting Raiding Reconnaissance Special operations Special reconnaissance Tracking Underwater demolition Urban warfare |
| Size: | Battalion |
| Garrison: | Kinmen |
| Nickname: | Sea Dragon Frogmen or Frogmen |
| Colours: | --> |
| Colours Label: | --> |
The 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, known as the Sea Dragon Frogmen is special operations forces of the Republic of China Army (ROCA); not to be confused with other commando frogman unit within the ROC Armed Forces which is the Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit (ARP) of the Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC), is a scuba diving trained commando frogman as well as amphibious reconnaissance, clandestine operation, commando style raids, irregular warfare, ISTAR, long-range penetration, special operations, special reconnaissance, and underwater demolition focused special warfare of the ROCA.
The members of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion are commonly known as Sea Dragon Frogmen. The unit specializes in amphibious reconnaissance to prepare for amphibious warfare or coastal defense, beach clearance, clandestine operation, combat patrol in behind enemy lines, commando style raids, CQB/CQC in urban areas, irregular warfare, long-range penetration, operating in difficult to access terrain, special operations, special reconnaissance, and underwater demolition.
Although they along with their ROCMC counterpart (the Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit) often gets compared to the United States Navy SEALs (US Navy SEALs) because of their shared "Frogman" moniker, their role is quite unique being the only known official, relatively high-profile “frogman” unit under the branch of the Army. The closest analogous comparison for the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion to their US counterpart would be the combat divers of the United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets) or any other United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) soldiers (e.g: 528th Sustainment Brigade, Delta Force, Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC)) who have completed the Combat Diver Qualification Course. Along with other Taiwanese special operations forces they are expected to play a key role in any conflict with China especially in regards to irregular warfare and land warfare.
The 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion was founded in 1949 with American assistance as a special purpose coastal surveillance, infiltration, and clandestine operations unit.[1]
Unit members received a pay raise in 2017.[2]
In 2019 the MoD commenced construction on two new bases on Kinmen and Penghu to support rapid deployments by the 101st.[3]
In 2020 the US Army 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) released a video which showed themselves training with the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion in Taiwan.[4]
Applicants undergo a 15-week training course known as "the iron-man road"[1] which follows a five-day qualification course.[5] Only twenty percent of applicants make it through training. Inducted recruits receive their unit badge pinned to their bare chest.[1]