Igorot Capt. Dwight Dulnoan leads most elite group of the Philippine Navy - NAVSOG

Photo Courtesy || Dwight Steven Dulnoan

Cordillera - The Naval Special Operations Group or NAVSOG of the Philippine Navy has a new commander in the person of Captain Dwight Steven M. Dulnoan. 

Commander Captain Dulnoan replaced Captain Andro Val P. Abayon who relinquished his duties and responsibilities as the Commander of NAVSOG during the Change of Command Ceremony on July 4, 2019.

The Change of Command Ceremony was presided by Commander Philippine Fleet Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo. 

Commander Dulnoan is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maalab Class of 1993. 

He was previously the Deputy, Joint and Combined Training Center of AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command, GHQ-AFPWSSU, AFP. 

The Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) is a separate command of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological and unconventional warfare and is heavily influenced by the United States Navy SEALs.

The training program of NAVSOG is known as Basic Naval Special Operations Course (BNSOC). The program is physically and mentally demanding and is regarded as one of the toughest military selection programs around the world. 

Learn more about NAVSOG by watching the video below:

Candidates have to swim 3 kilometers and run 10 kilometers every day. Furthermore, they must swim 14.6 nautical miles from Roxas Boulevard in Manila to Sangley Point, Cavite City without any rest. 

They also undergo "Hell Week", considered as the most demanding week of BNSOC training.