Hand-to-hand combat in SOF (Pt. 3): World War 2 and the ’50s

Note: This is part of a series. You can read part one and part two here. World War II saw the advent of modern special operations, and thus the need for special hand-to-hand fighting skills for special operators. The foremost of these units were the British Commandos, the OSS, the First Special Service Force (1SSF), Army Rangers, Marine […]

The Jedburgh’s Special Operations legacy with modern SOF

During World War II, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), Special Operations Branch had recruited foreign language speakers who would volunteer for hazardous duty behind enemy lines and parachute into denied territory. The Jedburgh teams were born. Wanted: Volunteers for immediate overseas assignment. Knowledge of French or another European language preferred; Willingness and ability to […]

The Jedburgh’s Special Operations Legacy with Modern SOF

During World War II, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), Special Operations Branch had recruited foreign language speakers who would volunteer for hazardous duty behind enemy lines and parachute into denied territory. The Jedburgh teams were born. Wanted: Volunteers for immediate overseas assignment. Knowledge of French or another European language preferred; Willingness and ability to […]

How the OSS Shaped Special Operations Forces and CIA of Today

Just a few short months after Pearl Harbor, the United States was locked in a global war with both the empire of Japan and Nazi Germany. And the country had no formal intelligence gathering apparatus. So, in July 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and appointed BG William “Wild […]

OSS Detachment 101 activation date 75 Years Ago, forerunner of SF, CIA

Seventy-five years ago, this week, the forerunner for Special Forces was born. During the dark days of World War II in April 1942, the OSS’ first operational detachment, 101 was activated. Detachment 101 was the first unit in U.S. military history created specifically for the purpose of conducting unconventional warfare operations behind enemy lines. It […]

OSS Detachment 101 Activation Date 75 Years Ago, Forerunner of SF, CIA

Seventy-five years ago, this week, the forerunner for Special Forces was born. During the dark days of World War II in April 1942, the OSS’ first operational detachment, 101 was activated. Detachment 101 was the first unit in U.S. military history created specifically for the purpose of conducting unconventional warfare operations behind enemy lines. It […]

Watch: Spy Training – Undercover, from the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Archive

OSS – UNDERCOVER | SPY TRAINING FILM – ca. 1942 – ca. 1945: Analyze preparation, arrival, establishment, and “prevalent cover” for secret agents by presenting one movie within another, as introduced by Colonel Robertson, chief of Schools and Training at Office of Strategic Services. R.1: Gives examples of agents discovered because of inattention to details, […]

Former CIA employees blast Trump’s speech in front of memorial wall

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump made a pit stop at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia to give a 15 minute speech to approximately 400 employees of America’s strategic intelligence agency.  The speech failed to mention anything about national security or intelligence, but rather focused on the President self aggrandizing in front of a memorial […]

Can the US intelligence community overcome its institutional roadblocks?

Not too long ago, I contacted a friend who is still in the community. He and I keep in regular contact, so the fact that I was calling was not out of the ordinary. The reason for my call, however, was. “Hey man, I have someone that I believe your employer might be interested in.” […]

Marine retraces his grandfather’s World War II spy mission

Army Maj. William Colby, with the Office of the Strategic Services, parachuted into Norway in March 1945 to lead the Norwegian Special Operations Group. Their job was to prevent 150,000 German troops from returning home to fight the Allies. “At about this time, the Battle of the Bulge had been liquidated, but there was fear […]

OSS Award on backburner pending new rules

Recent coverage around the OSS award has become widespread. The Washington Post repoted that the “Bill that would honor World War II’s secret commandos can’t seem to pass in Congress.” A great many are outraged, unsure, and making assumptions as to why. However, the reasons are more pragmatic and less vindictive. People aren’t entirely sure […]