In early 1952, Alex Kawilarang, then commander of the 3rd Teritorium (Siliwangi), based in Bandung, West Java, established a company-sized commando unit called Kesatuan Komando Teritorium III. This unit reported to Alex Kawilarang himself. This unit was trained by an ex Dutch commando named Visser, who lived in Cisarua, West Java. Visser was (or is) a Canadian born Netherlander. He joined the Koninklijk Leger during WW 2, after graduating commando training in England. He was involved in Operation Market Garden. After the war he was stationed in Indonesia as the commander of School tot Opleiding van Parachutisten (Dutch Airborne School), with the rank of Captain. After his marriage went down the drain, he requested early retirement, and became a flower farmer. He married an Indonesian woman and changed his name to Mohammad Idjon Djambi. After a few months, this commando unit was ready. Captain Soepomo was the Company Commander.

Soon after, Army HQ became interested, and moved this unit under direct HQ supervision. The name was changed to Kesatuan Komando Angkatan Darat, and it grew in size. The first class was held from February 22 until July 19, 1954. At that time, KKAD was commanded by Major Idjon Djambi, Captain Soepomo as XO, and Captain Marzuki Suleman as chief of staff. On April 27, 1956, KKAD became Resimen Para Komando Angkatan Darat, with three companies, each of 300 men and 3 platoons each. These companies were A (combat) , M (HQ) and Z (demonstration).

Later on, RPKAD became Komando Pasukan Sandi Yudha (Kopasandha), consisting of about 5000 elite red berets, divided into 4 groups, i.e. 2 Para-commando groups, and 2 Intelligence units. During the reorganization of the Army, Kopasandha shrunk to about 3000 men, had yet another name change to the present one, Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus).