United States Army Special Forces Essay

In this lesson you will continue to review the key agencies and major force management processes used in developing warfighting capability provided to combatant comman

Partnerships were not just joint but a better relationship between the Operational units under INSCOM and the proponent for intelligence under Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). These formed a strong bond that allowed current education, training, and mission success to shape the Army’s next steps. The relationship between TRADOC and the Operational frontend is absolutely vital to the success of training and education. Too often TRADOC would lag behind or operations would not communicate the changing demands, thus hindering the advance of military intelligence occupational

The book The Ugly American clearly demonstrates several of the established Special Operations Force (SOF) imperatives outlined in ADRP 6-22. As a Special Forces soldier I can relate these imperatives to stories illustrated in the book and apply them to real life situations that I have experienced in the field. The Ugly American is a goldmine of wisdom and a handbook for special warfare. All Special Operations soldiers should read it.

Michael Durant is a notable former 160th Black Hawk pilot. He is most recognized for his role in Operation Gothic Serpent, in Mogadishu, Somalia. During this operation his helicopter was one of two that were shot down with RPG’s, and he was the only survivor, who, consequently was taken captive by the Somali warlord. Mr. Durant’s career has spanned decades with the Regiment, even after retirement as the owner of a consultant firm specializing in special operations aviation. Steven Hartov is both an American and Israeli Army veteran, who has co-authored two books on the 160th with Mr. Durant. Mr. Hartov was the former editor in chief of “Special Operations Report,” and his writings are on the recommended reading list of the Army War College.

General Hugh Shelton was selected as a leader for this assignment since I served in the United States Army’s Group Support Company, 3rd Special Forces Group as he was the Commander in Chief of the United States Special Operations Command before he was nominated as the Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff. General Shelton was the 14th Chairman for the Joint Chiefs of

Their next encounter with war was World War 2. The 37th Ohio National Guard "Buckeyes" Division took part in the assault to drive Japanese forces out of Manila. It was treacherous fighting. The Japanese had fortified buildings and the 37th found themselves fighting block-by-block, floor-by-floor, and room-by-room. One squad leader found himself the object of a bayonet charge by six Japanese soldiers from 30 yards away. Sergeant Billy E. Vinson warded off the first bayonet thrusts, then opened up with his rifle and dispatched the attackers with a single sustained burst of gunfire. He held his ground until all wounded soldiers in the vicinity could be evacuated. As their Division history states, "For those who missed Normandy or Casino, Manila would do." During the Korean War Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment was south of Seoul when orders came to take two hills held by the Chinese. The assault took three days. On the morning of the third day, the tops of the hills were within reach. Two battalions of the 65th fixed bayonets and

Diplomacy is the art of dealing with foreign countries and their people in a sensitive and effective way. The ability to influence people and situations contributes to effective American diplomacy. In The Ugly American William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick comment on the nature of American diplomacy in 1950s Southeast Asia. They identify the characteristics and effects of both inept and skilled diplomacy. The book highlights knowledge of language, history, and culture as critical components to the ability to influence indigenous populations. In many ways the situations and characters described in the book mirror situations and challenges faced by Special Operations Forces (SOF) today. Special Operations Imperatives are a planning tool that SOF use to influence people and situations they encounter. In order to understand the influence and effects of proper application of the Special Operations Imperatives the stories of Homer Atkins, Colonel Hillandale and Solomon Asch provide a setting to compare and contrast with my own experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq and Jordan.

In order to gain a thorough understanding of Operation Eagle Claw, it is imperative to account for the historical context which governed the military at the time. Induced by public opinion and the economic state of the United States proceeding the Vietnam War, dramatic reductions in appropriations and personnel plagued the Department of Defense. Consequently, in the midst of the Iranian Hostage Crisis, the United States military was labeled as a “hollow force;” the cuts made to federal defense spending compromised the capabilities of most components of the military including the Special Operation Force, which proved to be critical to the rescue mission. Considering the unsatisfactory state of readiness, the disastrous conclusion of Operation Eagle Claw was inevitable. However, despite its tactical shortcomings, the operation has left a reclusive legacy as a constructive failure that catalyzed improvements to future implementations of Joint Task Forces in special operations.

In September of 1994, elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Special Operations Forces (SOF), and 25th Infantry Division, were organized into a U.S.-led Multi-National Force (MNF). These forces were assembled and deployed in support of Operation Uphold Democracy in the Republic of Haiti to reinstate ousted President Jean Bertrand Aristide and return the country to a democratic state.

The United States Army’s shift to counterinsurgency over the last 15 years directed changes in all aspects of the service. This shift directed the Army’s emphasis away from the large conventional conflicts to counterinsurgency. During this shift counterintelligence spent the last 15 years mastering its role. Now the Army is adapting again due to the ever changing conflicts in the world. The 39th US Army Chief of Staff, General Milley, stated that the US Army needs to “re-focus on conventional training”. Since counterintelligence supports the maneuver it is continuing to adapt. Counterintelligence support to combined arms maneuver throughout unified land operations is not completely new to counterintelligence. Pre-counterinsurgency doctrine covers specific tasks and duties for counterintelligence personnel and are applicable today. Discussed below are the aspects of counterintelligence support to unified land operations in the offense and defense against the conventional threat of a hybrid force.

In the military, a type of structural violence exists at large between various types of units. The Army can be broken down into Conventional and Special Operations Forces (SOF). A conventional unit is comprised of basic Army Soldiers that are tasked to defend the United States and win its wars. Airborne units are the same as conventional units, however, these units parachute from airplanes into enemy areas with the intent of wrecking havoc and destruction. What distinguishes Airborne and non-Airborne units is the Red Beret that is worn with the uniform.

The willingness to place yourself in harm’s way is a selfless act that is unknown to the commoner, but is gallantly accepted by the brave men and women that serve in the armed forces that make this country free. No one Soldiers death is more significant that the other; however, one historical mission in particular, “Operation Red-Wing”, which occurred on June 28, 2005 was a day that Special Operations suffered a tremendous loss. Nineteen of the most elite Special Operations Soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice when an aircraft was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) amidst an arduous terrain in the mountains of northern Afghanistan. The Operation Red Wing mission was not just historically significant because of the one man who

Special training does not make a Special Forces soldier; it only sharpens the inherent characteristics and qualities of the dedicated American patriot. The American patriot’s upbringing is what usually makes him a great American, whether he chooses to serve in Special Forces or stays a civilian who furthers US interests overseas. In this essay, we will examine and contrast past Special Forces operator experiences with the characters from Ugly American book using the 12 Special Operations Imperatives as a universal scale. We will focus on civilian characters whose actions and achievements mirror the equivalent in the US Army Special Forces goals.

In south America, woman make up thirty percent of the Colombia’s guerrilla army FARC. FARC has a hierarchy structure that divides duties and rankings. Standing guard is a common duty carried out by rank-and-file fighters. Female rebels gather intelligence, report on the movements of government troops and serve as informants

Over 80 years ago a young Army officer changed the face of battle employing Psychological Warfare that left lasting effects regarding the method of modern-day employment of Military Information Support Operations (MISO) by Psychological Operations (PSYOP) forces. Major General (MG) Robert Alexis McClure was a psychological warfare specialist and is considered the founder of U.S. Army Psychological Operations (source). Soldiers assigned to conventional forces certainly have never heard of him, and even most Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers have only a small understanding of the beginnings of special warfare with its roots in Psychological Operations. Since 1989, there has been a very select few that embraced the methodical