Special Operations Forces

Special forces have always been necessary for achieving national security. General Creighton Abrams, former US Army Chief of Staff, characterized the Army Rangers, first of the Special Operations Forces, in this way: "The Ranger battalion is to be an elite, light and the most proficient infantry battalion in the world, a battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. Wherever the Ranger battalion goes, it is apparent that it is the best." The advantages that Special Forces offer to national defense, the historical effectiveness of particular units, and the needs of the future require that Special Operations Forces continue to be employed by our military.

Special Operations Forces play a vital role in our nation's defense by increasing efficiency, adding options, and expanding capabilities of military forces. Used early, SOF can prevent a conflict from occurring. When hostilities are inevitable, Special Forces may be used to display determination to adversaries and support to allies while initiating the first steps of combat. During battle these teams create advantages far greater than those of conventional forces. These teams are able to perform swiftly in a self-sufficient manner, while their small size enables leaders to act more subtly than with larger military forces. The advanced training and experience of these professionals empower them to accomplish mission objectives inappropriate for other troops. Their sophisticated weapons and technology give them extraordinary capabilities. They also employ other skills to observe and influence political situations to our favor. These are reasons why special operations have tripled since 1991 while military budget has decreased by 30 percent since 1989.

Even before the American Revolution, colonial armies found it necessary to have specially trained soldiers. Major Robert Rogers led a group of Indian fighters. Both sides of the Revolutionary War armed rangers with rifles to go before or alongside the main army which were carrying muskets. There has always been a need for specially trained and armed soldiers such as these. The Confederate army had its own type of Special Forces, which closely resembled the Rangers. Rangers fought in World War II as well as the Korean War. In fact, they have been involved in every war the United States has fought. One of the most well known conflicts they participated in was the D-Day Invasion in Europe.

Rangers are used to provide "quick strike and shock action" behind enemy lines. They conduct ambushes, raids, interdiction, and temporary seizure of priority targets. They sometimes recover troops and equipment from the enemy. The Rangers are charged with being the world's best light infantry, and are also sent on special operations missions. They are trained to deploy by air or boat onto any terrain in any type of weather. Rangers are continually training to be effective in urban, mountain, jungle, and desert conditions. Periodically, they train in frigid and wet environments.

Although special operations has a long history, the first group to be integrated with a conventional army was not formed until April 10, 1952 with the founding of the Psychological Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, N.C. The intention for these Army Special Forces was to use guerilla tactics against conventional troops. The A-team is the primary unit of special forces. It is made up of eight soldiers and two noncommissioned officers, a captain and a warrant officer. Trained in weapons, engineering, medical, communications, and operations and intelligence. In addition, they each have training in at least two other areas, as well as being airborne qualified. These soldiers are oriented to a particular country and must become fluent with the language and culture. A significant task is to train indigenous forces in their own defense.

This group showed their value when the 5th Special Forces Group trained over 60,000 Vietnamese tribesmen in modern warfare. They also conducted building projects and provided medical assistance in order to "win the hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people. Eventually, they performed many roles throughout South Vietnam, receiving awards amazing in number for their accomplishments.

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is one of the lesser known of the Special Forces, but its mission is vital to the success of other teams. They are charged with conducting unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, psychological operations, counternarcotics, direct actions, personnel recovery, and foreign internal defense. During Desert Storm an F-14 fighter pilot was rescued after being shot down over Iraq. Army Special Forces members were flown into Iraq for reconnaissance missions and Army AH-64 Apaches were led on a mission to destroy Iraqi radar sites. All of this was done with the help of Air Force Pave Low crews.

The Marine Corps is primarily responsible for providing landing capability during fleet operations. They also are responsible for developing the doctrines, tactics, techniques, and equipment used in these operations. This elite force ensures security on Naval bases and on warships, as well as performing other duties assigned by the President.

A specialized team within an elite force, Marine Force Recon members endure some of the most intense training in the military in order to prepare for their rigorous duties. These soldiers participate in reconnaissance, surveillance, raids, and unconventional warfare. they are also tasked with recovering sensitive materials, rescuing hostages, and supporting other Marine forces.

Throughout the Vietnam War, up to 40 Recon teams were on the ground at once. The first ground unit into Kuwait in 1991 was a Force Recon team. These forces were involved in Somalia as well as supporting United Nations blockades on Iraq and Serbia.

Navy Special Warfare forces are most at home in the water but are also well trained on land. Often first on the scene, Navy SEALs are the "eyes and ears of the fleet." Intelligence collection, raids and ambushes, search and rescue, counterterrorism, and counternarcotics operations are all responsibilities of Navy SEALs. They also participate in unconventional warfare, psychological warfare, operational deception, and river interdiction. Because more sophisticated technologies make it increasingly difficult to avoid detection in hostile environments Navy SEALs must continually utilize new resources to achieve the element of surprise necessary for success. These units usually perform covert operations, but are equipped to engage in heavy combat when necessary. These operations nearly always involve other military organizations that depend upon SEALs to clear the path. Their close dealings with counterparts in other countries make them "ambassadors" and strengthen international ties.

Political challenges of the future will make Special Operations Forces even more necessary for promoting international harmony. They will play an increasing role in protecting U.S. information systems while we develop technology that will help compromise those of our adversaries. These teams will certainly be involved in locating and disabling chemical, biological and nuclear weapons before they can be used. Terrorism and drug trafficking are other issues that will require action from Special Forces. Weapons such as stun guns or hand-held lasers will be designed for use by these units so targets can be pursued in crowded areas without risking lives of the innocent.

Besides military power, Special Operations Forces are already being trained in diplomacy and stealth; they are already functioning as a communication channel conveying local attitudes to NATO officials. Psychological warfare will probably be used increasingly in battles of the future. Of growing importance will be the training of foreign troops to provide for their own defense and contribute to the coalition. This will increase the stability of local governments and help prevent small problems from growing into big ones. Perhaps the greatest contribution made by these forces will be their ability to influence political environments before intervention is necessary.

History proves, and the national security of the future demands that the particular capabilities that Special Operations Forces offer always be used to their fullest potential. Army Rangers have existed in one form or another from pre-revolutionary days until the present. Concerning the reinstatement of Special Forces in the sixties, President John F. Kennedy announced, "This is another type of warfare, new in its intensity, ancient in its art... war by guerillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins... war by ambush instead of by combat... war by infiltration instead of aggression... If Freedom is to be saved, we need a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training."