The Army's Special Forces are some of the most specially trained Soldiers in the Army. Special Forces are experts in conducting operations that don't call for conventional military operations. A Special Forces Officer is responsible for what is typically organized as a 12-man team, known as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA).
ODAs are deployed around the world in rapid-response situations whether it's during peacetime, crisis or war. The Special Forces Officer is the team leader of an ODA, responsible for mission organization, outfitting the team and debriefing mission objectives.
Usually, Special Forces Officers will conduct the following five types of missions:
Counter-Terrorism
Special Forces are often deployed to preclude, preempt and resolve terrorist incidents abroad. They prevent, deter and respond to terrorist activities and train other nations' military in the basics of fighting terrorism.
Direct Action
Direct Action missions are short duration strikes that are used when Special Forces want to seize, capture, recover or destroy enemy weapons and information or recover designated personnel or material.
Foreign Internal Defense
This mission is used to organize, assist and train the military and national defense forces of foreign governments to protect their citizens from aggressors.
Special Reconnaissance
These intelligence-gathering activities monitor as much about the enemy's movement and operations as possible.
Unconventional Warfare
Special Forces have long employed the use of Unconventional Warfare (UW), a.k.a. guerilla warfare, to train, equip, advise and assist forces in enemy-held or controlled territory.
Special Forces Officers may continue in serving in special operations at ever increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.
Responsibilities of a Special Forces Captain may include:
- Commanding and controlling Special Forces operations in the missions stated above
- Coordinate employment of Special Forces Soldiers at all levels of command, from ODA to group level and beyond, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
- Develop doctrine, organizations and equipment for unique Unconventional Warfare missions.
- Provide instruction on Special Forces processes, systems and equipment at service schools and intelligence training centers.
- Serve as an Unconventional Warfare advisor to other Special Operations units in other armed services.
Phone, Fax & E-mail
Phone: 918-444-3067
Fax: 918-444-3065
E-mail: nsurotc@nsuok.edu
