Foreword to Jandarma Özel Harekat Gear
Turkey’s Gendarmerie General Command has a storied and heraldic history as both a military and law enforcement organization. During the Seljuk Period these fusion military/LEO forces were called Şurta, then were called Subaşı and later called the zapitye during the Ottoman Empire’s tenure.
The Gendarmerie’s modern genesis began after the dissolution of the Janissary Corps in 1826 which previously provided domestic security for Anatolia and Southeastern Europe, then under Ottoman dominion, thus ad-hoc military organizations were created as a substitute.
Under the Edict of Gülhane, one of the decrees established the Gendarmerie by name on June 14th, 1839. It would receive a structural overhaul that would make the Gendarmerie a more modern law enforcement organization after Prime Minister Mehmed Said Pasha brought in British and French officers to help advise with this process, done after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.
7 years after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the Gendarmerie was given current legal status in 1930 and was restructured in 1939. More reforms and additions would be made over time, such as the introduction of a Light Helicopter Company Command in 1961.
In 2016, the Gendarmerie General Command was then placed under the Turkish Ministry of Interior.
Duties of the Gendarmerie are to establish law and order within the confides of Turkey and typically for villages far outside the jurisdiction of conventional police forces. There are search and rescue units, maritime patrol units, tourist security, a Special Public Security Command (JÖAK), a Special Operations (JÖH) unit and many others which perform different law enforcement or paramilitary tasks within Turkey. Occasionally, Jandarma troopers are deployed to conflict zones much like the military, such as during the 1974 Invasion of Cyprus and recently during the 2018 Operation Olive Branch in northern Syria.
FET will focus on Jandarma Özel Harekat kit impressions, particularly pre-2018 JÖH kits before the introduction of the Gendarme’s distinct pattern.
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JÖH Camouflages
Turkish Nano
Created by the Turkish science technological institute TÜBİTAK, this pattern was introduced in 2008 and remains the primary camouflage of the Turkish Armed Forces. Gendarme were issued Turkish Nano uniforms until the adoption of their own distinctive camouflage in 2018. This pattern, however, persists with Jandarma forces in the form of cold weather gear, vests, and at times uniforms themselves.
Jandarma Camouflage
In 2018 Gendarmerie introduced their own camouflage pattern, which replaced almost all of the older Nano uniforms used by Jandarma units. Just like Turkish Nano, rucksacks, assault bags, cold weather gear, and vests are made using this pattern. A mixture of both Jandarma and Nano patterns do occur, for example, a trooper can have a Nano uniform and a Jandarma pattern helmet cover.
JÖH Headgear
OpsCore Sentry Helmet
Since the mid 2010s, Jandarma units started to be issued OpsCore Sentry helmets, typically in foliage green and occasionally in the urban tan coloration. FAST helmet covers and full covers are documented both in the Nano and Jandarma pattern.
Prior to this helmet, Jandarma used the PASGT style helmet issued to army infantrymen, often paired with Nano helmet covers. Now those helmets sparingly see usage but still persist and see some utilization.
JÖH 2nd Line Gear
Issued Gear
(Note, Turkish companies make different pouches for G3, AK, and HK33/STANAG Magazines, so ensure you have the right size magazine pouches. We recommend G3 magazine pouches as they universally fit all of the magazines in use with Turkish issued weapons.)
Anafarta Taktik Mesh Vest
Mesh vests are a ubiquitous piece of gear used by Turkish Gendarme operators. Many gear companies and local tailors produce mesh vests, with Anafarta made models being the usual gear issued due to their higher quality control. individuals wanting to private purchase their own will do so, Anafarta made or otherwise.
While these rigs can take SAPI plates, they are often not paired with armor as these vests are meant more for reconaissance purposes.
Anafarta Taktik Plate Carrier
Also a common standard issue plate carrier, featured extensively during Jandarma’s participation in the KATSOC 2018 training session held in Jordan.
Other Private Purchase Options
KTM Yilmaz 87 Comfort Plate Carrier
Another good quality plate carrier offering, Jandarma units and individuals have purchased the Turkish Nano, Coyote Brown and Jandarma patterned variants.
Pars Tactical Gear Warrior DCS Clone
Pars Tactical Gear produces more high speed and niche gear in Turkey, with the most popular product being their interpretation of the Warrior Assault System DCS carrier. Laser cut variants and different colors such as Turkish police and Gendarme camouflage exist.
JÖH 1st Line
Turkish Nano uniforms have persisted among JÖH operators to the present day, with Nano vests, packs, ponchos and helmet covers being the more prevalent examples post-2018. Generally the Jandarma pattern uniforms have taken over as standard issue however.
Turkish Nano Combat Shirt Set
Turkish Nano BDU
Jandarma Pattern BDU
Jandarma Pattern Combat Shirt Set
Turkish Nano Parka
Nano Softshell Jacket
Jandarma Pattern Softshell
JÖH Reference Gallery
Special thanks to Mert for aiding us in kit acquisition, as well as aiding in accuracy by consulting his family members who are serving as Gendarme.
Further Reference Link: Silde