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Special Operations

The bonds forged through special operations service and sacrifice are universal and absolute, no matter what flag is on your uniform. Read about the selection, training, missions, history, and culture of America's—and the world's—most elite military units.

Latest in Special Operations

5 key differences between Delta Force and SEAL Team 6
Special Operations

5 key differences between Delta Force and SEAL Team 6

By Mike Dowling

1972 Munich Olympics
Special Operations

How the 1972 Munich Olympic terrorist attack spurred the ‘Wrath of God’

By Stephen Ruiz

Vietnam War
Special Operations

Green Beret ‘Hatchet Forces’ terrorized the communists during the Vietnam War

By Friedrich Seiltgen

The HICAR is intended to replace the URG-I (Upper Receiver Group-Improved) in SOCOM. (U.S. Army)
Special Operations

Green Beret says SOCOM’s hypervelocity rifle will kill SIG M7 rifle

By Miguel Ortiz

Retired Adm. William McRaven
Special Operations

10 life lessons that William McRaven learned in Navy SEAL training

By Stephen Ruiz

Mike Vining
Special Operations

Mike Vining on Vietnam, Delta Force, and the sardines he never ate

By Adam Gramegna

bug out bag sherpa shutterstock
Special Operations

A Green Beret shares 12 important things that need to be in your bug-out bag

By Blake Stilwell

Navy SEALs
Special Operations

The 10 most lethal special operations units from around the world

By Shannon Corbeil

operation eagle claw desert one socom
Special Operations

Operation Eagle Claw: The story behind the failed hostage rescue in Iran

By Blake Stilwell

giant killer richard flaherty vietnam green beret
Special Operations

The shortest soldier in American history was a Green Beret who fought in Vietnam

By Blake Stilwell

U.S. Army Nuclear Disablement Team Soldiers and Army Rangers seized and exploited an underground nuclear facility during a training exercise.
Special Operations

These specialized soldiers train to neutralize enemy nuclear weapons

By Blake Stilwell

Inside the mind of former Delta Force soldier Pat McNamara
Special Operations

Inside the mind of former Delta Force soldier Pat McNamara

By Christian Lowe

British Special Air Service
Special Operations

5 of the most legendary soldiers of United Kingdom’s Special Air Service

By Team Mighty

Army survivor of Lang Ve is helped to a Marine aid station at Khe Sanh Combat Base Vietnam
Special Operations

Special Forces fought North Vietnamese tanks for the first time at Lang Vei

By Friedrich Seiltgen

Task Force Ranger in Somalia black hawk down snipers
Special Operations

The third Delta Force sniper you didn’t see in ‘Black Hawk Down’

By Miguel Ortiz

life after tbi marine recon dvids
Special Operations

Project R3con wants special operators to know there is plenty of life after TBI

By Jessica Manfre

A U.S. Army Green Beret assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) gathers vegetation to conceal his team's position before an ambush drill as part of a validation exercise on Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 29, 2025. A VALEX validates the company's operational proficiency through integrated training with partner forces, bolstering interoperability and readiness to ensure effective combined operations in support of national security objectives. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Edgar Martinez)
Special Operations

The Indian Scouts that forged the legacy of American Special Forces

By Daniel Tobias Flint

special forces vs special operations dvids
Special Operations

The difference between Special Forces and special operations

By Adam Gramegna

air commandos ghostrider af
Special Operations

Air Commandos and the evolution of the ultimate gunship

By Friedrich Seiltgen

SUFFOLK, Va. - A U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units (EODMU) TWO and TWELVE conducts freefall parachute operations during a training exercise at Skydive Suffolk Drop Zone, Apr. 4, 2024. Navy EOD personnel utilize jump operations as a mobility platform into various mission sets and integration with other DOD and USSOCOM units. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)
Special Operations

What’s really real with SOCOM’s AI targeting tests right now

By Chad Hultz