Special Operations troops need their Armed Overwatch program now

Special Operations troops need their Armed Overwatch program now

Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is working through the Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC) to purchase up to 75 “armed overwatch” planes that will conduct intelligence, reconnaissance, and Close Air Support (CAS) missions. SOCOM’s armed overwatch aircraft is envisioned to operate in close conjunction with special operations troops on the ground. The versatile aircraft can scout […]

Air Force revamps Special Operations officer career fields

Air Force revamps Special Operations officer career fields

As with the recent revamp of its enlisted Special Operations career fields, the Air Force created a new specialty code that will now encompass its three officer SOF jobs. Combat Rescue, Special Tactics, and Tactical Air Control Party officers will now fall under the same Air Force Specialty Code (19ZXX), which is the Air Force […]

Let the suckfest continue: Navy SEAL and SWCC training resumes

Let the suckfest continue: Navy SEAL and SWCC training resumes

The Naval Special Warfare Center has resumed training for almost all the Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmember (SWCC) classes that had been paused because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. In mid-March, NSW Center decided to pause three of its classes of twelve classes that were in the early stages. The decision was made in […]

A different perspective on the state of the SF Combat Diver capability

A different perspective on the state of the SF Combat Diver capability

As the President of the Combat Diver Foundation (CDF), I felt the need to comment on this story that was first reported by SOFREP and later re-reported by Business Insider. First a disclaimer: The Combat Diver Foundation has no official relationship with the many military commands, law enforcement agencies, or intelligence units that maintain a […]

The big ugly elephant in the room: Standards in Special Operations

The big ugly elephant in the room: Standards in Special Operations

Let us talk about standards… Oh no. Standards! Not that dirty word again. But it is a very important one. We’ve written about the standards in the Special Forces courses, both regarding Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) a couple of times. Yet now is a good time […]

Exclusive: The perilous state of the Special Forces Combat Diver capability

Exclusive: The perilous state of the Special Forces Combat Diver capability

Special Forces Combat Divers are a rare breed in an already elite community. Only a small number of Army Green Berets volunteer for and go through the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC), arguably the toughest school in the Army, and ultimately qualify to serve in a dive team. Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas […]

SF legend & Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins dies from COVID-19

SF legend & Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins dies from COVID-19

Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam, passed away from complications due to the coronavirus at the age of 86. He contracted the virus in late March and was admitted to the East Alabama Medical Center and then moved into the intensive care unit […]

Coronavirus be damned: Navy SEAL class graduates amid pandemic

Coronavirus be damned: Navy SEAL class graduates amid pandemic

Amid the ongoing social distancing measures affecting the country and the military, the Navy SEAL community just received its newest operators. SEAL Qualification Training Class 336 graduated on April 15 and its members received the coveted SEAL Trident. Last month, Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command decided to suspend some SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft […]

129 Raids & 153 Strikes: Air Commandos attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment shine

129 Raids & 153 Strikes: Air Commandos attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment shine

Eight Special Operations Airmen were recognized for their valor during a deployment in Afghanistan as part of a 75th Ranger Regiment task force. The Air Commandos came from the 17th Special Tactics Squadron. In conjunction with the Rangers and other American and Coalition units, they completed 129 direct action raids and 153 kinetic strikes. The […]

April 9, 1987: The Special Forces Officer (18A) branch is born

April 9, 1987: The Special Forces Officer (18A) branch is born

On April 9, 1987, the Army Chief of Staff established a separate branch for SF officers (18A). Previously, in June 1983, the military had authorized a Special Forces tab for SF troops to be worn on the left shoulder. Then, on October 1, 1984, the Army established a separate career management field (CMF 18) for […]