Risk aversion in Special Operations: When aid workers have more freedom in a combat zone

Who has more freedom of movement in a combat zone: a highly trained and well-resourced Special Operations fighter, or an untrained volunteer working for a cash-strapped religious non-governmental organization (NGO)? In the author’s opinion and experience, the answer is the NGO worker — and by a long shot. The reason for this predominantly boils down […]

The Navy’s petty treatment of a SEAL who was on the Bin Laden mission

It has been nine years since SEAL Team 6 operators raided Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan and killed the leader of al-Qaeda and the man responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The effects of Operation Neptune’s Spear, however, still vibrate in the Special Operations and, more specifically, Navy SEAL community. On April 21, No Ordinary […]

Special Operations units will be the last line of defense in Afghanistan

As U.S. troops have begun withdrawing from Afghanistan after 19 years of warfare, it looks like U.S. Special Operations units are going to be the last bastion of defense in the country. The agreement between the U.S and the Taliban stipulates that American troops are to be gradually withdrawn from the country within a 14-monthly […]

Boston brings in General Stanley McChrystal to fight Coronavirus

The State of Massachusetts and the City of Boston is also wracked with cases of the coronavirus. In response, Boston’s mayor, Marty Walsh, has sought outside help and has hired a retired Army general to advise the city on its efforts.  General Stanley McChrystal was best known for his work in the Joint Special Operations […]

Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal community is looking for officers

The Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community is looking for its future leaders. More specifically, the Navy EOD community is looking for either civilian candidates or Sailors already serving in the fleet who are looking into commissioning through the Enlisted to Officer Commissioning Program (OPNAVINST 1420.1B). Both categories of candidates will have to complete the […]

CIA strike targets al-Qaeda leader who had survived a SEAL Team Six raid

U.S. government officials believe that an American drone strike has killed the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Qasim al-Raymi is believed to have been killed by a CIA drone sometime in January. U.S. officials have been hesitant to confirm his death because of previous instances were High-Value-Targets (HVTs) were pronounced dead only […]

How to foster unit culture in Special Operations

The first parts of this series outlined the realities of what it means to be Special Forces. If you haven’t read those two, I suggest that you start there first. Now that you have a better understanding of what Special Operations is all about, I want you to understand what keeps things operating smoothly once […]

Oct. 31, 1972: Michael E. Thornton, SEAL, Medal of Honor recipient

Michael Thornton was a Navy SEAL and was awarded the U.S. military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the war in Vietnam. He was decorated for saving the life of his senior officer, Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, who also a recipient of the Medal of Honor in another combat action in […]

Fraying at the edges: Elite SOF aviation unit faces critical pilot shortage

According to a manning report, the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), also known as Night Stalkers, is facing significant manning shortages. The report, first obtained by the Army Times, concerns the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2019. It reveals the following numbers of pilot shortages: With regard to the MH-60 Black Hawk […]

The Pic of the Day: The Air Force’s Tier 1 SOF unit

Members from the U.S. Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24th STS), Fort Bragg, complete helo, fast rope, and hoisting training during exercise Advanced Guard, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., April 14, 2014. Advanced Guard is a multimillion-dollar exercise spanning across the states to train special operators to conduct joint operations. The 24th STS is […]