Military reference books and manuals (2009-2023, Volume 2)

August 2008

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3-13

Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

Limited financial management

Limited Class IX and VIII storage

Limited capability to reconfigure load.

Ammunition from EAB must be in strategic

or operational configured loads

No firefighting capability

Explosive ordnance disposal is not organic

to the SFG, and requires augmentation from

the ASCC

Human resources other than its own unit

S-1 HR operations; It relies on the ASCC to

provide additional critical wartime personnel

support

Legal support is limited to the assigned SFG;

augmentation to support all Judge Advocate

General (JAG) functions is required

Limited maintenance backup support to the

battalion units

No organic band support

No optical fabrication and blood product

management support

No organic aeromedical evacuation sup-

port.

The SFG has the most robust FHP structure of

any ARSOF unit. It usually has several physicians

and physician assistants assigned at the group and

battalion level. Each Special Forces Operational

Detachment “A” is authorized 2 SF medical

sergeants. However, similar to other light

units, staffing depends on theater or

SB(SO)(A) FHP assets.

Group Support Battalion Organization

The GSB consists of a Group Ser-

vice Support Company (GSSC)

and a Group Support Company

(GSC). The GSSC is a multi-

functional logistics organization

consisting of a HQ, sustainment

platoon, distribution platoon,

field maintenance platoon, and

medical platoon. The GSC has

organic signal, military intelligence,

and chemical decontamination detach-

ments. The GSSC functions as the HQ

company for the GSB and depends on

the HHC, SFG, for administrative and ministry

support.

Limitations of the Group Support Battalion

The GSB is not designed to provide all or part of the

logistics functions listed in the following paragraph.

To obtain these services for a prolonged deployment

the GSB must tie into the Army Service Sustainment

Command (ASSC).

A requirement exists to plan for and receive

augmentation based on METT-TC to accomplish

the assigned mission. Assessing the mission and task

organization of the GSB is critical in every mission

analysis. Factors and limitations to be considered

are as follows:

Urban areas, dense jungles and forests, steep

and rugged terrain, and large water obstacles

limit movement

The GSB has no organic mortuary affairs

(MA) capability for collection, processing,

and evacuation without augmentation

Laundry and bath is not organic to the SFG;

support is provided by the SB(SO)(A) or

SC(T)

Signal

Detachment

Combat

Tracking Det

Unmanned

Aerial Sys-

tems Section

Regional

Support Det

Operations

Detachment

Figure 3-9. Group Support Battalion Organization

Group

Support

Battalion

Group

Support

Company

Group

Services

Support Co

HQ Det

Distribution

Platoon

Sustainment

Platoon

Military

Intelligence

Detachment

Medical
Platoon

Chemical

Decon

Detachment

Maintenance

Platoon

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

Provide Special Operations Command and

•

Control Element (SOCCEs), to supported

conventional headquarters, and operational

elements as directed

Establish, operate, and support a SOTF and up

•

to three AOB’s

Train and prepare SF teams for deployment

•

Direct, support, and sustain deployed SF

•

teams.

Battalion Support Company

The SF battalion commander provides C2 for the

BSC. The BSC is assigned and organic to the SF

battalion. The BSC provides routine administrative

and logistics support to the SF battalion HQ detach-

ment, the company’s organic or attached elements,

and the SOTF SPTCENs and SIGCENs. The support

company commander oversees all personnel and ele-

ments assigned or attached to the company.

Special Forces Company

The SF Company plans and conducts SO activities

in permissive, uncertain or hostile environments.

The company HQ (SFODB) is an eleven man team.

In garrison, the SFODB commands and controls its

own organic SFODAs. The SF company commander

is an experienced SF major. When deployed, the

Special Forces Battalion (Airborne)

The Special Forces Battalion (Airborne) comprises

one Battalion Headquarters Detachment (BN HQ

DET/C DET), one Support Company , and three Spe-

cial Forces Companies. There is one SFOD Combat

Diving A Detachment (CBT DIV A DET) and one

SFOD Military Free Fall A (SFODA) Detachment

per battalion.

Special Forces Battalion (Airborne) Personnel

The BN HQ DET is authorized 12 officers, 1 war-

rant officer, and 25 enlisted Soldiers. The SPT CO is

authorized 4 officers and 75 enlisted Soldiers. Each

SF CO is authorized 8 officers, 7 warrant officers,

and 67 enlisted Soldiers.

Special Forces Battalion (Airborne) Task

To plan, conduct, and support special operations

activities in uncertain, hostile, or permissive opera-

tional environments. The battalion HQ detachment

(SFODC) commands and controls the activities

of the SF battalion, and when deployed, is directly

responsible for isolating, launching, controlling, sus-

taining, recovering, and reconstituting SFODAs.

Special Forces Battalion (Airborne) Capabilities

The battalion’s C2 and support elements can func-

tion as the headquarters for an SOTF when aug-

mented by resources from the SFG(A). The C2 and

support elements can:

Battalion

Support

Company

Detachment

Military

Intelligence

Detachment

Service

Detachment

Signal

Detachment

Figure 3-11. SFG(A) Battalion Support

Company Organization

Figure 3-10. SFG(A) Battalion Organization

Special

Forces

Company

Special Forces Battalion

Special Forces Group

(Airborne)

Battalion HQ

& HQ

Detachment

Battalion

Support

Company

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Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

SFODB functions as a separate operational detach-

ment conducting its assigned mission. The mission

may require the SFODB to operate separately or to

exercise operational control (OPCON) of a mix of

organic and attached SFODAs.

Figure 3-12. Special Forces Company Organization

Special

Forces

Company

(SFODB)

SFODA

(Underwater

Operations)

SFODA

(Mil Free-Fall

Parachuting)

Figure 3-13. Special Forces Detach (SFODA) Organization

Detachment Commander

CPT, 18A

Assistant Detachment

Commander, WO, 18A

Operations Sergeant

MSG, 18Z

Senior Weapons Sergeant

SFC, 18B

Senior Engineer

SFC, 18C

Junior Weapons Sergeant

SSG, 18B

Junior Engineer

SSG, 18C

Senior Medic

SFC, 18D

Junior Communications

Sergeant, SSG, 18E

Junior Medic

SSG, 18D

Intelligence Sergeant

SFC, 18F

Senior Communications

Sergeant, SFC, 18E

Methods of Infiltration

Special Forces Soldiers possess the unique capa-

bilities in infiltrate their target area by land, air, and

sea.

Land Infiltration/Exfiltration.

Fifty-four ODAs and

six Support Operations Team Alpha (SOT-A) per

SFG can infiltrate/exfiltrate an operational area by

foot. Foot movement limiting factors include ter-

rain, water availability, enemy presence and Soldier

load. Fifty-four ODAs assigned to the 5th SFG and

18 ODAs assigned to the 3rd SFG are trained and

equipped to infiltrate/exfiltrate by Ground Mobil-

ity Vehicles (GMVs). Selected ODAs assigned to the

10th SFG, 1st SFG, and 7th SFG can infiltrate using

High Altitude/Technical Mountain techniques. Also,

selected ODAs from the 10th SFG and the 1st SFG

can infiltrate using ski techniques and Mobile Over

Snow Transports (MOST).

Special Forces Operational Detachment “A”

The basic building block of SF operations

is the 12-man SFODA, also known as an A

detachment or A team. All other SF orga-

nizations command, control, and support

the SFODA.

Tasks

The ODAs primary task is to conduct UW

as directed. They also have the capability

to perform FID, CT, Nonproliferation of

WMD, DA, SR, and support of IO opera-

tions as directed.

Organization

The ODA consists of two officers, an Army

Captain and a Warrant Officer. The senior

enlisted member is a Master Sergeant.

There are 9 other enlisted team mem-

bers. When required the ODA can operate

under the split team concept making up

two 6-man teams.

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Nine ODAs per SFG are trained to infiltrate/exfil-

trate by combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC). Twelve

ODAs per SFG can infiltrate and exfiltrate by surface

swim techniques. Unless specifically identified on the

MTO&E, the only teams with designated specialty

skills are HALO and SCUBA teams. Other special

skills, such as combat swim, are based upon the unit’s

mission essential task list (METL).

Air Infiltration (Static line Parachute).

Special Forces

Groups, Special Forces Battalions, Operational

Detachments Charlie (ODC), Special Forces Com-

panies, Operational Detachments Bravo (ODB), and

Operational Detachments Alpha (ODA) are static line

parachute qualified.

Air Infiltration (Military Free Fall).

Nine ODAs per

SFG (A) can infiltrate by employing Military Free

Fall High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) or High

Altitude High Opening (HAHO) techniques.

Air Infiltration (Fixed and Rotary Wing Aircraft).

ODC,

ODB, and ODA personnel and equipment can infil-

trate via fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Specific infil-

tration techniques include airland, rappel, and fast

rope. Capabilities are only limited by aircraft capa-

bilities and landing site availability.

Water Infiltration/Exfiltration.

All water infiltration

techniques may be initiated from surface or sub-

surface mother craft, dropped by parachute from

fixed or rotor wing aircraft. Three ODAs per SFG

can infiltrate or exfiltrate using closed circuiting

breathing equipment or self contained underwater

breathing apparatus (SCUBA) open circuit equipment.

SF Soldier in Afghanistan

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Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

he Army owes its modern night-

fighting aviation capabilities to the

160th Special Operations Aviation Regi-

ment (Airborne) which pioneered night

flight techniques, shared in the devel-

opment of equipment, and proved that

Night Stalkers Don’t Quit

—the motto

the Regiment lives by. The unit began

in the summer of 1980 as Task Force

158 with elements of the 158th Aviation

Battalion, 101st Aviation Battalion, 229th Aviation

Battalion and the 159th Aviation Battalion. Aviators

and support personnel immediately entered into a

period of intensive night flying and

quickly became the Army’s pre-

mier night fighting aviation force.

The 160th Aviation Battalion was

activated as a unit of the 101st Air-

borne Division (Air Assault) on 16

October 1981 and, with the same

attachments that formed its pre-

decessor unit, became Task Force

160. Since its formation, the 160th

has become known as the Night

Stalkers because of their capabil-

ity to strike undetected during

darkness. Over the years the unit

has grown to regimental size and

has greatly increased its mission

capabilities. It routinely provides

precision rotary wing aviation sup-

port to joint SOF forces around the

world.

SOAR Mission

The 160th SOAR(A) mission is to

organize, equip, train, resource,

and employ Army Special Opera-

tions Aviation forces worldwide

in support of the contingency and

crisis action missions of the war-

fighting Commanders.

SOAR Organization

The Regiment consists of a headquarters

and headquarters company (HHC) and four

special operations aviation battalions.

Additionally, Table of Distribution and

Allowance (TDA) documents authorize

a special operations aviation training

company (SOATC) and a systems inte-

gration and maintenance office (SIMO).

NIGHT STALKERS

160th Special Operations

Aviation Regiment (Airborne)

1st Aviation

Battalion

2d Aviation

Battalion

HQ and

HQ Company

4th Aviation

Battalion

3d Aviation

Battalion

HQ and

HQ Company

HQ and

HQ Company

HQ and

HQ Company

HQ and

HQ Company

Special Operations Aviation

Training Company*

Systems Integration and

Maintenance Office*

Light Assault

Company

MH-6M

Aviation

Maintenance

Company

Assault Co.

MH-60L

Aviation

Maintenance

Company

Light Assault

Company

AH-6M

Heavy Assault

Company

MH-47E

Heavy Assault

Company

MH-47E

Heavy Assault

Company

MH-47G

Heavy Assault

Company

MH-47G

Heavy Assault

Company

MH-47E

Assault Co.

MH-60L

Assault Co.

MH-60K

MH-60L

Assault Co.

MH-60K

MH-60L

Aviation

Maintenance

Company

Aviation

Maintenance

Company

* Authorized on TDA documents

Figure 3-14. Army SOAR Organization

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

SOAR Aircraft
and Employment Considerations

The regiment possesses three main types of rotary-

wing aircraft: the AH/MH-6M Little Bird, the MH-

60L/K Blackhawk, and the MH-47E/G Chinook. This

variety of aircraft allows for operations in all envi-

ronments and under adverse weather conditions.

The SOAR normally task-organizes around a

battalion and plans, conducts, and supports SO mis-

sions for the ARSOF commander or for the theater

special operations command (TSOC). With proper

personnel and equipment augmentation, a SOAR

commander and his staff can serve as a joint special

operations air component commander (JSOACC).

A/MH-6M

The AH and MH-6M are highly modified single-

engine light helicopters. The MH-6 can externally

transport up to six combat troops and their equip-

ment and is capable of conducting overt and clan-

destine infiltration, exfiltration, and combat assaults

over a wide variety of terrain and environmental

conditions. The AH-6 can be armed with a variety of

weapons and is primarily employed in close air sup-

port of ground troops, target destruction raids, and

armed escort of other aircraft. The small size of the

A/MH-6M allows for rapid deployability in C-130,

C-17 and C-5 aircraft, and extensive aircrew train-

ing allows for extremely rapid upload and download

times.

Responsibilities in Support of SOF CORE Activities

The SOAR supports all special operations core activ-

ities. It operates predominantly in a joint environ-

ment and may support U.S. military conventional

forces, multinational forces, or other agencies in

addition to joint SOF. The following summarize the

SOAR’s execution and support of core activities:

Infiltrate, sustain, and exfiltrate U.S. SOF and

other selected personnel.

Insert and extract SOF land and maritime

assault vehicles and vessels.

Conduct DA and CAS using organic attack

helicopters to provide aerial firepower and

terminal guidance for precision munitions,

unilaterally or with other SOF.

Conduct SR missions in support of SOF.

Conduct electronic, photographic, and visual

reconnaissance in support of SOF.

Recover personnel or sensitive materiel in

concert with SOF.

Conduct combat search and rescue CSAR as a

part of the SOF component apportioned to the

joint personnel recovery center (JPRC) when

the mission requires capabilities above and

beyond conventional theater CSAR assets.

Conduct assisted E&R in lieu of dedicated

CSAR assets.

Perform emergency air evacuation of SOF

during the conduct of SO.

Conduct assisted E&R in lieu of dedicated

combat search and rescue (CSAR) assets.

Conduct limited strategic self-deployment of

aerial refuel capable helicopters.

Support joint SO maritime operations.

Conduct SO water insertion and recovery

operations.

Support and facilitate ground and aerial C2,

communication and computer systems, and

reconnaissance and intelligence operations

for SOF.

Provide the C2 element for SO aviation assets

and attached conventional aviation assets

supporting SO.

Perform aviation unit maintenance (AVUM)

and aviation intermediate maintenance

(AVIM) for all organic aircraft.

MH-6

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Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

MH-60 L, K and DAP

The MH 60 is capable of conducting overt and clan-

destine infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of SOF

across a wide range of environmental conditions.

An armed version, the Defensive Armed Penetrator

(DAP), has the primary mission of armed escort

and fire support. Secondary missions of the MH-60

include C2, external load, CSAR and MEDEVAC

operations. The MH-60 is capable of operating from

fixed base facilities, remote sites, or oceangoing

vessels. All versions are air refuelable from selected

USAF and USMC aircraft. MH-60s are deployable

in C-17 and C-5 aircraft and can be rapidly built up

and employed upon arrival in theater.

MH-47G

The MH-47G is a heavy assault helicopter based on

the CH-47 airframe, specifically designed and built

for the special operations aviation mission. It has

a totally integrated avionics subsystem along with

multi-mode radar and aerial refueling capability. In

addition to its capability to overtly and clandestinely

infiltrate, exfiltrate and resupply SOF across a wide

range of environmental conditions, MH-47s provide

the ability to support combat operations at extremely

high altitudes. The MH-47 is self-deployable when

supported by aerial tankers and is deployable in C-17

and C-5 aircraft.

MH-60L

MH-47G

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne)

ivil affairs (CA) provides

expertise on the

civil component of the

operational environ-

ment. The commander

uses CA capabilities

to analyze and influ-

ence the human ter-

rain through specific

processes and dedicated

resources and personnel.

As part of the commander’s civil-

military operations, CA conducts operations nested

within the overall mission and intent. CA signifi-

cantly helps ensure the legitimacy and credibility of

the mission by advising on how to best meet moral

and legal obligations to the people affected by mili-

tary operations. The key to understanding the role of

CA is recognizing the importance of leveraging each

relationship between the command and every indi-

vidual, group, and organization in the operational

environment to achieve a desired effect.

Personnel

The soldiers of the 95th CA Brigade (Airborne),

located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are regionally

focused, culturally attuned, and language quali-

fied—maintaining the highest standards of training

and physical readiness in order to be prepared to

deploy anywhere in the world on short notice.

Mission

The mission of CA forces is to engage and influ-

ence the civil populace by planning, executing,

and transitioning civil affairs operations in Army,

joint, interagency, and multinational operations to

support commanders in engaging the civil compo-

nent of their operational environment, in order to

enhance civil-military operations or other stated

U.S. objectives before, during, or after other military

operations.

U.S. Army Civil Affairs Organization

Until 2006, all Army civil affairs forces were desig-

nated as SOF and came under COCOM of USSO-

COM. In November 2006, the reserve component

(RC) CA units were transferred from USSOCOM

to USJFCOM. Concurrent with this action, the RC

CA forces were no longer considered SOF. However,

USSOCOM retained proponency for all CA: this

includes doctrinal development, combat develop-

ment, and institutional training.

All CA units are capable of providing support to

both general purpose forces and SOF at the tactical,

operational, and strategic levels. Since the transfer

of RC to USJFCOM, however, the non-SOF

RC CA forces are more oriented towards

supporting other conventional forces and

the SOF active component CA forces are

oriented towards supporting other SOF.

While serving in an initial entry role

during contingency operations, the 95th CA

Brigade has the capability to rapidly deploy

one of its regionally-aligned CA battalions to

meet an initial CA support requirement, and

then transition that CA support requirement

to an RC CA unit as soon as mobilization

permits.

95th Civil Affairs Brigade soldiers coordinating local security

operations with indigenous officials and local villagers.

August 2008

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3-21

Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

regionally focused and support SOF while provid-

ing the rapid deployment “bridge” for the division

and BCTs until replaced by U.S. Army Reserve CA

battalions.

The 95th CA Brigade CA battalion rapidly

deploys as the initial entry CA force with its CAPTs,

CMOCs, CA companies, and Civil Affairs Teams

(CATs) to plan, enable, shape, and conduct CAO to

support the commander’s situational understanding

of the civil component and improve overall decision

superiority. The 95th CA Brigade CA battalion has

an HHC, a CAPT, a CMOC capable of providing

95th Civil Affairs Brigade

Organization

The 95th CA Brigade’s task is to rap-

idly deploy regionally focused, initial

entry, Civil Affairs Planning Teams

(CAPTs), Civil-Military Operations

Centers (CMOCs), CA battalions, and

CA companies to plan, enable, shape,

and manage CAO in support of a GCC,

TSOC, joint forces special operations

component (JFSOC), corps, division,

or Brigade Combat Team (BCT). The

95th CA Brigade can serve as the core

of a JCMOTF. The brigade HQ provides

command, control, and staff supervi-

sion of the operations of the CA brigade

and assigned CA battalions or attached units. The

95th CA Brigade can support the GCC, the TSOC,

the joint force land component commander, or

the JFSOC. This HQ is rapidly deployable through

various means of infiltration, to include static-line

parachute, providing USASOC with a responsive,

flexible, and modular CA force package.

Civil Affairs Battalions, 95th CA Brigade

The CA battalion functions as the tactical-level CA

capability that supports the division, the BCT, JSOTF,

and forward operational bases. The battalions are

Figure 3-15. 95th Civil Affairs Brigade Organization

Civil Affairs

Brigade

CMOC

Battalion

Command

Section

ISOCA

TACLAN

Comm

Maintenance

Section

Rigger

Section

Sust

Opns

Intel

CIM

CLT

HHC

CAPT

95th Civil Affairs Brigade soldier collecting civil information

from local children.

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

tactical CA support, to include assessment, plan-

ning, and coordination. The CA company assesses

the mission planning requirements and develops

and coordinates the resources to meet immediate

requirements to mitigate civil threats to the sup-

ported commander’s mission.

Civil Affairs Team (CAT)

The CAT conducts CAO and provides CMO plan-

ning and assessment support to tactical maneuver

commanders. The CAT conducts civil reconnais-

sance (CR); conducts key leader engagement by

constantly vetting contacts to eventually identify

elites within the CAT’s AOR; plans, coordinates, and

enables CAO and project management; and provides

civil information to the supported unit and CMOC

for inclusion of civil inputs to the supported com-

mander’s COP.

A CAT is composed of four personnel: the team

chief, team sergeant, and two civil affairs NCOs.

a CLT, and four CA line companies, each with a

CMOC. Each CA line company can provide C2 to

the assigned CATs and can provide planning, coor-

dination, and assessment at the tactical level.

Civil Affairs Company

The CA battalion has four CA line companies, each

with a C2 Section, Planning Section, a CMOC, and

five Civil Affairs Teams (CATs). The CMOC provides

Figure 3-16. 95th CA Brigade CA Battalion Organization

Civil Affairs

Battalion

CMOC

CA Company

Command

Section

ISOCA

TACLAN

Comm

Maintenance

Section

Sust

Opns

Intel

CIM Cell

CLT

HHC

CAPT

Civil Affairs

Company

CMOC

Civil Affairs

Team

Company

Figure 3-17. 95th CA Brigade CA Company

August 2008

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3-23

Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

particularly the military element, has always had a

psychological dimension.

Foreign perceptions of U.S. military capabili-

ties are fundamental to strategic deterrence. The

effectiveness of deterrence hinges on U.S. ability to

influence the perceptions of others. The purpose of

PSYOP is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and

behavior favorable to U.S. national objectives.

PSYOP are characteristically delivered as in-

formation for effect, used during peacetime and

conflict, to inform and influence. When properly

employed, PSYOP can save lives of friendly and ad-

versary forces by reducing the adversaries’ will to

fight. By lowering adversary morale and reducing

their efficiency, PSYOP can also discourage aggres-

sive actions and create dissidence and disaffection

within their ranks, ultimately inducing surrender.

PSYOP provide a commander the means to employ

a non-lethal capability across the range of military

operations from peace through conflict to war and

during post conflict operations.

PSYOP Group

A Psyop Group (POG) is a multipurpose and

extremely flexible organization that commands

organic and attached elements conducting PSYOP.

Figure 3-18 shows the organization of the Active

Army POG.

A POG plans, coordinates, and executes PSYOP

at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels in

support of the President and/or SecDef, combatant

commanders, and OGAs as directed by the SecDef.

It can establish, operate, and support up to two

Psychological Operations Task Forces at the combat-

ant command and JTF level. The President and/or

SecDef require at least one airborne POG to support

global requirements.

POG Personnel

4th POG (A) Soldiers are regionally focused, cultur-

ally attuned and often language qualified maintain-

ing the highest standards of training and physical

rmy active compo-

nent PSYOP forces

are organized under

the 4th Psychologi-

cal Operations Group

(Airborne). The 4th

POG(A) has four

regionally-oriented

battalions, a tactical

support battalion, and

a PSYOP dissemination battalion. U.S. Army PSYOP

group and battalion headquarters are structured to

provide command and control of subordinate units

that conduct PSYOP missions.

PSYOP Mission

Army PSYOP forces plan and execute the Joint Force

Commanders’ PSYOP activities at the strategic,

operational, and tactical levels. These forces support

all SO missions and conduct PSYOP in support of

consolidation missions. PSYOP are a vital part of

the broad range of United States diplomatic, infor-

mational, military, and economic (DIME) activities.

The employment of any element of national power,

A member of
the U.S. Army’s
4th Psychological
Operations
Group (POG)
edits audio.
Special operators
broadcast televi-
sion and radio
programming
that allows the
U.S. to commu-
nicate directly to
the Iraqi people.

4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) – 4th POG(A)

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

tactical POB, a dissemination POB, and an SSD. An

RC POG consists of a group HHC, tactical POB, and

a dissemination POB. A POG is structured to sup-

port conventional forces and SOF.

The 4th POG commands and controls (C2)

PSYOP forces and attached elements to conduct

PSYOP world wide. Mission dependent, the 4th

POG may establish a Psychological Operations Task

Force (POTF) to facilitate C2 of PSYOP forces. The

4th POG plans, coordinates and executes PSYOP

at the strategic, operational and tactical levels in

support of commanders. Although the 4th POG

is a direct reporting unit (DRU) to USASOC, it

also provides PSYOP forces for contingency, crisis

and conventional forces. The 4th POG supports

U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) PSYOP forces, mission

readiness in order to be prepared to deploy anywhere

in the world on short notice.

The TSOC integrates PSYOP support into joint

SOF activities. Task-organized PSYOP units, from

theater oriented forces, may be attached to the TSOC

for a specific period to provide dedicated support.

PSYOP support provide the SOF commanders and

their indigenous counterparts the ability to motivate

and mobilize crucial segments of the population to

enhance the probability of mission success.

POG Organization

The Active Army POG consists of a group headquar-

ters and headquarters company (HHC), regional

Psychological Operations battalions (POBs), a

Tactical Psychological

Operations Company

Tactical Psychological

Operations Company

Tactical Psychological

Operations Company

8th

6th

5th

4th Psychological Operations

Group (Airborne)

HQ and

HQ Company

Research and

Analysis Division

9th Tactical

Psychological

Operations Battalion

Tactical Psychological

Operations Company

Regional Psychological

Operations Company

Support Company

Media Company

Broadcast Company

Product Distribution

Company

Support Company

Print Company

3d Dissemination

Psychological

Operations Battalion

Regional Psychological

Operations Battalion

1st

Coordination with

Regional Battalions

Figure 3-18. Active Army POG

August 2008

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Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

dependent, with: PSYOP product development,

PSYOP analysis, PSYOP product distribution and

PSYOP dissemination.

Research and Analysis Division

The Research and Analysis Division of the 4th POG

(A), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the sole source

of finished PSYOP analytical intelligence products

that are tailored to the needs of the PSYOP com-

munity, geographic combatant commanders, and

the intelligence community. The division consists

of four regionally oriented Strategic Studies Detach-

ments (SSDs). Each PSYOP regional battalion has an

SSD comprised of senior level Department of Army

civilians. These Intelligence Research Specialists,

commonly referred to as PSYOP analysts, provide

area and cultural expertise, near-native linguis-

tic skills, and sophisticated research and analysis

capabilities.

SSD analysts continually monitor current events

and intelligence through classified and open-source

information, allowing them to provide timely PSYOP

analysis and advice. Each regionally oriented SSD

contains five to eight analysts. Each analyst focuses

on a group of countries, and commonly speaks one

or more of the languages of the region, as well

as having extensive experience traveling and/or

living in the region. The analysts are experts in the

political, economic, social, military, cultural, and

religious aspects of their target countries. Equally

important are their knowledge of U.S. policies in

the region and their understanding of the level of

tolerance, support, or opposition Potential Target

Audiences (PTAs) have for these policies.

Regional PSYOP Battalions

The 4th POG’s Regional PSYOP Battalions are each

aligned with a geographic combatant command, and

each maintains a close working relationship with

that GCC and its Theater Special Operations Com-

mand. One important task of a Regional PSYOP

Battalion is to form the nucleus of a POTF. When a

GCC is authorized to establish a POTF, the Regional

PSYOP Battalion Commander is often tasked to be

the POTF Commander, if the POG commander

does not assume that mission.

The Regional PSYOP Battalion has the capabil-

ity to conduct PSYOP planning and PSYOP Target

Audience Analysis (TAA), and to develop and design

PSYOP products. Regional PSYOP Battalions also

task organize PSYOP support elements (PSEs),

Military Information Support Teams (MISTs) and

PSYOP assessment teams (POATs) from their re-

sources to conduct PSYOP planning and the PSYOP

process. The regional battalions rely on the PSYOP

dissemination battalion or external agencies to

produce products. Each Regional PSYOP Battalion is

authorized a Headquarters Support Company (HSC),

two Product Development Companies (PDCs), and

direct support from an SSD.

Product Development Company

A Product Development Company has a HQ ele-

ment, four PSYOP Detachments (PSYDETs), and

eight Operational Detachments (OPDETs). The HQ

element provides administrative, maintenance, and

logistics support to the company. The PSYDETs

and their assigned OPDETs are capable of conduct-

ing the management and review of supporting

PSYOP programs, conducting PSYOP planning and

TAA, PSYOP design, and PSYOP development. The

PSYOP Soldiers assigned to the product develop-

ment company have extensive cultural awareness

and experience in the area of operations (AOR). The

PSYOP Soldiers speak the languages of the AOR, are

familiar with U.S. policy, Department of State (DoS)

Mission Performance Plans (MPP) and GCC theater

plans. The product development company may be

tasked organized in total to support POTF opera-

tions or as PSYDETs and OPDETS (PSEs, MISTs and

POATs) to deploy to support the GCC, Ambassador

or a TSOC.

Psychological Operations Detachment.

The subordinate

elements of the Product Development Company are

organized into four PSYDETs. Each PSYDET has

an HQ element and two Operational Detachments

(OPDETs). The HQ element coordinates and plans

PSYOP activities in support of a GCC, Ambassador,

or other agencies. In support of a POTF, the PSYDET

is task organized to form a section of a Product Devel-

opment Center or combined with other PSYDETs to

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9th Tactical PSYOP Battalion (Tactical POB)

The 4th POG’s Active Army 9th Tactical PSYOP

Battalion consists of a headquarters company and

five Tactical PSYOP Companies. The Tactical POB

supports all services at corps, JTF-level, and below,

as well as SOF. The battalion staff can conduct plan-

ning for the component commander up to the corps

level. When supporting a corps or JTF, a Tactical

POB executes C2 of subordinate PSYOP companies

and assists in the planning and execution of PSYOP.

Subordinate PSYOP companies support Army divi-

sions or equivalent size service component units.

Rarely does an entire tactical battalion deploy as an

organic unit but typically tactical PSYOP companies

deploy independently and are attached OPCON to

Army Divisions or other service equivalents.

Tactical PSYOP Company.

The Tactical PSYOP Com-

pany (TPC) is the main element of PSYOP support

to divisions and JSOTF commanders for tactical

become an entire product development center. When

task organized as a product development center, each

PSYDET is capable of conducting: PSYOP target audi-

ence analysis, PSYOP plans and programs, PSYOP

development and PSYOP testing and evaluation.

When operating as individual PSYDETS or OPDETs,

PSYOP Soldiers are capable of conducting all aspects

of the PSYOP development process, but rely more

on the partner nation to conduct PSYOP “by, with,

and through” the partner nation. The “by, with, and

through” is heavily reliant on the partner nation

military and contract commercial assets for PSYOP

product development, distribution and dissemina-

tion. PSYDETs and OPDETs are also task organized

in support of tactical PSYOP forces to provide the

same PSYOP functions previously discussed.

Operations Teams.

The Operations Teams, commonly

referred to as OPDETs are the smallest elements of a

PDC. The OPDET has the same general capability as

the PSYDET, but on a smaller scale. OPDET Soldiers

maintain a close working relationship with the SSD

analysts in executing the PSYOP process to ensure the

cultural relevancy and expertise necessary to influ-

ence foreign target audiences. Mission dependent,

an OPDET may be task-organized to perform the

functions of all or part of the PDC, which include

Target Audience Analysis Section (TAAS), Test and

Evaluation Section (TES), and Product Development

Section (PDS)

The OPDET routinely provides support to GCC

objectives and programs, Embassy and Theater Se-

curity Cooperation Plans, and TSOC operations and

engagement activities as part of an entire PSYDET

or by itself. The OPDET may deploy in its entirety

or deploy task organized teams that are rotated

routinely in order to provide continuous long term

support. The OPDET is capable of executing the

entire PSYOP process to include production by uti-

lizing production facilities at Fort Bragg or by using

participating nation commercial or government

facilities. The OPDET is capable of working in any

environment whether it is at an Embassy, conducting

military support to public diplomacy, at a TSOC pro-

viding regional support, or tactically on the ground

in uniform supporting military operations.

A PSYOP specialist hands an information

leaflet to a third grade child, 25 March 2002.
The leaflet tells children about the dangers of

touching or picking up unexploded ordnance.
PSYOP and civil affairs soldiers spoke to hun-
dreds of local residents as a part of Operation
AVID RECOVERY’s community outreach mis-
sion in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

PSYOP Dissemination Battalion

The PSYOP dissemination battalion provides

regional and tactical PSYOP units with audio, visual,

and audiovisual production support, product distri-

bution support, signal support, and media broadcast

capabilities. The PSYOP dissemination battalion

exists only in the 4th POG. The dissemination bat-

talion provides support to PSYOP forces from the

fixed station location at Ft Bragg, North Carolina

and through teams deployed with PSYOP units

around the world. The dissemination battalion is

comprised of: a headquarters company, broadcast,

print, media and distribution companies and the

media operations complex (MOC).

Psychological Operations Equipment

PSYOP forces use a variety of equipment and plat-

forms to plan, develop, produce, distribute, and

disseminate audio, audiovisual, and visual products

in support of the combatant commander’s theater

engagement plan. Information-age technologies have

not changed the definition or purpose of PSYOP, but

rather have enhanced and improved the ability of

PSYOP personnel to provide support to geographic

combatant commanders, joint task force command-

ers, and tactical-level commanders. These systems,

and the Soldiers who operate them, provide sup-

ported commanders with responsive PSYOP support

across the spectrum of operations, from the tactical

to the strategic levels.

Product Development Workstation-Light (PDW-Light)

The PDW-Light is a system that provides forward-

deployed units in the field limited PSYOP product

development. It also provides users the capabil-

ity to electronically transmit and receive PSYOP

product files and related information via the PDS,

commercial/military satellite transmissions, single

channel ground and airborne radio system (SINC-

GARS) radios, or through phone lines using modem

hookup. The system consists of a ruggedized product

development laptop computer with a 1.7-gigahertz

(GHz) Pentium-M Processor, 512 megabytes (MB)

of random access memory (RAM), removable hard

drive with extra hard drive, built-in digital versatile

operations. It provides the commander the ability to

influence the behavioral responses of neutral, friendly,

and enemy foreign Target Audiences. The TPC is

comprised of a HQ element, a Tactical PSYOP Devel-

opment Detachment (TPDD) and four Tactical PSYOP

Detachments (TPD). Each TPD has four Tactical

PSYOP Teams (TPT). The TPC develops, produces,

and disseminates PSYOP products in keeping with

the TAs, themes and messages that the supported

commander is authorized to approve for use in his

area of operations (AO). Support required by the

commander is based on mission analysis.

The level of PSYOP support required ranges

from one TPC per division during phases I thru III

to multiple TPDs per brigade during stability opera-

tions in phase IV and V. The need for PSYOP forces

and PSYOP support increases exponentially during

phases IV and V. In recent operations population

densities in brigade-equivalent sectors ranged from

500,000 (Kosovo Force) to 2+ million (Operation

IRAQI FREEDOM). Tactical PSYOP units are task

organized to provide the supported commander with

PSYOP staff planning and to conduct tactical PSYOP

activities. The TPC has organic product design and

development capability and limited production

capability. Production requirements that exceed the

capability of the TPC must be filled by other theater

PSYOP production assets, commercial or other

government agency (OGA) assets or produced at

Fort Bragg at the static Media Operations Complex

(MOC) and flown into theater via military or com-

mercial air lift.

Mission analysis determines the task orga-

nization of the TPC HQ. A TPC HQ may be task

organized with elements of the PSYOP regional

battalion, and broadcast and print support from the

dissemination battalion. This support may include a

flyaway broadcast system (FABS) or a Special Opera-

tions Media System-Broadcast (SOMS-B) to provide

the TPC a direct support (DS) broadcast asset. This

tactical vehicle-mounted, light print asset provides

the TPC with a responsive and mobile digital print

capability. The TPC is then able to produce limited

quantity PSYOP products, such as leaflets, handbills,

posters, and other printed material. The TPC HQ is

located with the supported unit Division Main.

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

disc recordable (DVD-R)/compact disc-rewritable

(CD-RW), extra battery, padded carrying case, a

photo-quality color inkjet printer, and an 80-giga-

byte (GB) external Universal Serial Bus (USB) hard

drive. Software includes CorelDraw 11, Photoshop

7.0 for Windows, Illustrator 11, Windows 2000 Pro,

and Microsoft Office 2000.

Product Development Workstation-Heavy (PDW-Heavy)

The PDW-Heavy is a high-quality desktop publish-

ing system used to develop PSYOP products. In addi-

tion, it can produce camera-ready color separations

for printing. It is the same system as the PDW-Light,

but adds a docking station or port replicator. This

system includes one color laser printer with separate

black and white (B&W) and color cartridges, 1200 x

1200 dots per inch (dpi); one scanner with flatbed 8

1/2 x 14,USB 2.0, 4800 x 4800 optical; and one exter-

nal 80 GB harddrive,USB2.0 (same as PDW-Light).

Media Operations Complex (MOC)

The MOC, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, houses the

HPF, the PDF, the Media Production Center (MPC),

the 3d PSYOP Battalion Electronic Maintenance

Shop (EMS), and the contracted Maintenance Sup-

port Team (MST). B Company, 3d Psychological

Operations Battalion (Airborne) (POB[A]), operates

the MPC. The MPC is normally in direct support

(DS) of the supported theater combatant commander

or joint force commander (JFC) for the conduct of

PSYOP during crisis. The MPC remains in DS until a

Theater Media Production Center (TMPC) is estab-

lished in the AOR or JOA. The MPC then reverts to

general support (GS). The MPC also provides GS to

all PSYOP forces for execution of international mili-

tary information and peacetime PSYOP programs

worldwide on a daily basis. These activities are done

in support of the geographic combatant commander

s theater engagement plan. TMPCs support theater-

level PSYOP.

Theater Media Production Center (TMPC)

The TMPC is a transportable modular system with

the capability to produce, edit, distribute, and dis-

seminate broadcast-quality audio, visual, audiovi-

sual, and digital multimedia products. It is equipped

to directly support a major theater war (MTW), a

small-scale contingency (SSC), peacetime PSYOP,

and a Theater Security Cooperation Plan (TSCP) in

any region of the world. It provides direct media sup-

port to theater combatant commanders and joint U.S.

combined forces

as directed by

the President

or Secretary of

Defense. TMPC

capabilities

mirror those of

commercial broadcast facilities. It is capable of

receiving and transmitting PSYOP products via the

PDS and standard command, control, communica-

tions, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems for

approval, production/refinement, and ultimately

distribution and dissemination.

Modular Print System (MPS)

The Modular Print System (MPS) contains three

modules: A, B, and C. Module A contains printing

equipment that is no longer used. Module B consists

of two expandable shelters, each containing one

Heidelberg GTOZP52 offset press that can print in

two colors at one time or one color, front and back.

The maximum paper dimensions for this system

is 14”x20”, with the largest product measuring 13

3/8”x20”, allowing for marginal area. Module C is

also expandable and contains a large paper cutter,

press plate marker, and a small light table. Modules

B and C are capable of limited paper storage space

when expanded.

Deployable Print Production Center (DPPC)

The DPPC is an M1037 high mobility multipurpose

wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) mounted/transportable

print system. Print equipment includes a PDW-Light,

a high-speed digital duplicator (Risograph) (120

cpm) capable of producing up to 93,000 single-color

leaflets in 24 hours, and an electric paper cutter.

The generator and environmental conditioning unit

(ECU) are mounted on the DPPC trailer for trans-

port. Prime mover is an M1037HMMWVwith S-250

shelter. Based on space availability, components of

the DPPC may be removed from the shelter and pal-

letized on a 463L pallet for shipment by air.

TMPC

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Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

PDU-5/B Leaflet Bomb

PDU-5/B, which is a modified MK-20 Rockeye II

canister-type bomb designed to replace the M129E1.

It is used to drop leaflets from high-performance

aircraft such as the F-16. Each PDU 5/B can deliver

about 45,000 leaflets in 20 rolls. It has been used in

Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI

FREEDOM. In fact, in Operation IRAQI FREE-

DOM, PDU-5/Bs were dropped before artillery

started hitting targets in Baghdad. It is extremely

important to note that leaflets must be rolled into

20 uniform rolls to completely fill the PBU05/B. This

requires time and experienced leaflet rolling person-

nel. Leaflets can not be stacked in the PDU-5/B as in

the M129.

Loudspeaker Systems

The primary dissemination medium of the tactical

PSYOP battalion is the loudspeaker. A three-man (1

x 37F30, 1 x 37F20, 1 x 37F10) dismounted team or

mounted teams using the M1025 HMMWV gener-

ally conduct loudspeaker operations. Loudspeaker

operations are also adaptable to other platforms

based on the supported unit’s mission. These plat-

forms include tracked vehicles, patrol boats, and

helicopters.

Manpack Family of Loudspeakers

The manpack FOL is a system of modular ampli-

fiers/speakers forming loudspeakers that provide

spot and large-area broadcast capability. Configu-

rations include the manpack loudspeaker system

(MPLS), the vehicle loudspeaker system (VLS), the

watercraft loudspeaker system (WCLS), and the

rotary-wing aircraft system (airborne loudspeaker

system [ALS]).

M129E1/E2 Leaflet Bomb

M129 leaflet bomb, which holds about 60,000 leaflets

and can be used to disseminate two or more prod-

ucts simultaneously. The M129E1/E2 leaflet bomb

is dropped from fixed-wing aircraft. It requires two

to four Soldiers to assist in the loading of PSYOP

leaflets. Leaflets are hand-rolled before placement

inside the bomb. USAF personnel are responsible for

loading the bomb on the aircraft and fusing it. The

M129E1/E2 can be used only on aircraft requiring

forced ejection for release from a bomb shackle. F-16,

B-52, and FA-18 aircraft can carry the M129E1/E2.

Sailors assist PSYOP Soldiers with

building a leaflet bomb

DPPC

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U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School

Figure 3-19. United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School organization.

4th

3rd

2nd

Directorate of

Special Operations

Proponency

1st Special Warfare

Training Group

(Airborne)

Training

Support

Battalion

Directorate

of Training

and Doctrine

Department of

Special Operations

Education

Training

Battalion

1st

Noncommissioned

Officers Academy

Joint Special

Operations Medical

Training Center

Special Warfare

Medical Group

(Airborne)

U.S. Army John F. Kennedy

Special Warfare Center and School

he United States Army John F. Kennedy Special

Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS)

provides the training, personnel, doctrine, and

policy to support ARSOF. USAJFKSWCS serves as

the USASOC proponent for all matters pertaining to

individual training, develops doctrine and all related

individual and collective training material, provides

leader development, develops and maintains the

proponent training programs and systems, and pro-

vides entry level and advanced individual training

and education for SF, CA, and PSYOP.

Organization

USAJFKSWCS, a DRU of USASOC, constitutes the

training center and institution of ARSOF. It consists

of an HHC, directorates of proponency and of train-

ing and doctrine, a joint SO medical training center,

a noncommissioned officers academy, a training

group, and a department of education.

Task

The task of USAJFKSWCS is to recruit, train, and

educate U.S. Army SF, PSYOP, and CA Soldiers.

USAJFKSWCS provides training in advanced skills

as required. It supports ARSOF’s ability to conduct

operations worldwide, across the USSOCOM core

functions, by providing superior training, relevant

doctrine, effective career management policy, and

the highest quality Soldiers to man the Army’s pre-

mier SO fighting forces.

Directorate of Special Operations Proponency

The Directorate of Special Operations Proponency

is responsible for oversight and management of

ARSOF branches, functional areas, warrant officer

military occupational specialties, enlisted career

management fields, additional skill identifiers, and

special qualification identifiers, IAW AR 600-3, The

Army Personnel Proponent System. The Directorate

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3-31

Chapter 3. U.S. Army Special Operations Forces

of Special Operations Proponency develops person-

nel proponent plans, policies, and programs rela-

tive to the eight life-cycle management functions.

It performs liaison with the personnel proponency

offices in Headquarters, Department of the Army; all

branches of the Army; other military Services; and

the U.S. Army Accessions Command, United States

Army Recruiting Command, and Special Opera-

tions Recruiting Company. Directorate of Training

and Doctrine

Directorate of Doctrine and Training

The Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD)

consists of an office of the director, a training man-

agement office, a directorate management office, and

six divisions—joint and Army doctrine integration,

SF training and doctrine, CA/CMO training and

doctrine, PSYOP training and doctrine, media pro-

duction, and training development. The mission of

DOTD is to analyze, design, and develop ARSOF

doctrine and training. Additionally, DOTD reviews

joint and Army doctrine prepared by USSOCOM,

Joint Forces Command, U.S. Army Training and

Doctrine Command, Air Land Sea Application

Center, and other military organizations for ARSOF

integration.

Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center

The Joint Special Operations Medical Training

Center conducts the medical portion (Phase 3) of SF

medical sergeant training. In addition to training

SF medical sergeants, the Joint Special Operations

Medical Training Center trains medics for Naval

Special Warfare Command, Marine Corps Force

Reconnaissance, Air Force Special Operations Com-

mand, 75th Ranger Regiment, Civil Affairs, and

160th SOAR(A).

Noncommissioned Officers Academy

The Noncommissioned Officers Academy serves as

the USAJFKSWCS executive agent for the Noncom-

missioned Officer Education System and ensures

quality training, education, and professional devel-

opment for the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.

The Noncommissioned Officer Education System is

a premier learning institution that develops adap-

tive, innovative, and warrior-focused NCOs who

have the right mix of training and education for the

leadership requirements of Army, joint, interagency,

inter-government, and multinational operations.

1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne)

The 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne)

(SWTG[A]) consists of a group HQ, a training sup-

port battalion, and the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th training

battalions. The 1st SWTG(A) coordinates, conducts,

and supervises training through the training battal-

ions; coordinates and supervises course development

and design; and participates in training strategy

and life-cycle training model development. The 1st

SWTG(A) provides administrative, logistical, fiscal,

and intelligence support to all personnel assigned or

attached to USAJFKSWCS through the group HQ

and support battalion.

Department of Special Operations Education

The Department of Special Operations Education

serves as the USAJFKSWCS Commanding General’s

advisor for training and education issues. It provides

training and education opportunities that enable the

USAJFKSWCS staff and faculty to perform as flex-

ible, adaptive ARSOF leaders and trainers. It also

provides library services that support ARSOF educa-

tion and training, as well as doctrinal and research

requirements. The Department archives and makes

available historical ARSOF documents and collec-

tions. It establishes relationships with civilian and

military universities and colleges, civilian agencies,

and other organizations.

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4-1

Chapter 4.

U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM, also NSWC)

aval Special Warfare Command was commis-

sioned 6 April 1987 at the Naval Amphibi-

ous Base, Coronado, California, and is the naval

component of the United States Special Operations

Command.

NAVSPECWARCOM Mission.

NAVSPECWARCOM

trains, equips, organizes, resources, deploys and sus-

tains Naval Special Warfare (NSW) forces in support

of CDRUSSOCOM and other combatant commander

requirements.

Figure 4-1. NAVSPECWARCOM Organization Chart

USSOCOM

NAVSPECWARCOM

NSWG-1

NSGW-2

NSWG-11

NSWG-3

NSWG-4

NSWDG*

NSWCEN

NSWCENSEALSWCC

SUPPACT-1

NSWU-1/3*

NAVSCIATTS

Basic Training

Command

LOGSU-1

DET Great Lakes

Advanced Training

Command

SUPPACT-2

TRADET

DET Panama City

NSWU-2*

MCD

DET Little Creek

LOGSU-2

DET Yuma*

NSWG-2 DET

SOUTH*

DET Hurlburt*

TRADET

DET Key West*

MCD

ST-18

DET Kodiak

ST-17

SDVT-1

DET Hawaii

ST-1/3/5/7

ST-2/4/8/10

SBT-12/20/22

* ADCON Only

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Special Operations Forces Reference Manual

Note that the terms

NSW forces

and

NAVSOF

are used interchangeably. The term NAVSOF is more

easily articulated and understood in the joint arena,

as it is consistent with commonly used terms for

Army (ARSOF) and Air Force (AFSOF) special op-

erations forces.

NAVSPECWARCOM Chain of Command.

The Com-

mander Naval Special Warfare Command (CNSWC)

is an Echelon II commander: the Navy SOF compo-

nent commander under, and reporting directly to,

CDRUSSOCOM.

CNSWC exercises OPCON (delegated by

CDRUSSOCOM) of all U.S.-based NSW forces.

CNSWC exercises ADCON over all NSW forces

in accordance with CDRUSSOCOM and Chief of

Naval Operations (CNO) guidance. For Navy-specific

administrative and other matters CNSWC reports

directly to the CNO. CNSWC develops the Program

Objective Memorandum (POM) and Budget Estimate

Submission (BES) for CDRUSSOCOM (MFP-11)

and Navy (MFP-2) and ensures adherence to CNO

special-interest items.

NAVSPECWARCOM organization is shown in

Figure 4-1 on the previous page.

Naval Special Warfare Mission

Naval Special Warfare provides an effective means

to apply counterforce in conjunction with national

policy and objectives in peacetime and across the

spectrum of hostilities from peacetime operations

to limited war to general war. NSW forces focus on

the conduct of the following seven core activities of

special operations:

Unconventional Warfare (UW)

Direct Action (DA)

Special Reconnaissance (SR)

Foreign Internal Defense (FID)

Counterterrorism (CT)

Information Operations (IO)

Counterproliferation of Weapons of Mass

Destruction (CP)

Additionally, NSW forces are involved in ad-

ditional activities such as Security Assistance,

Navy SEALs perform advanced cold weather training in Alaska.

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4-3

Chapter 4. U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

Counterdrug, Personnel Recovery, and Special Ac-

tivities. NSW also provides maritime specific special

operations to meet U.S. Navy fleet requirements.

Naval Special Warfare Personnel

Naval Special Warfare Officer

NSW officers go through the same Basic Underwater

Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training enlisted per-

sonnel attend at the Naval Special Warfare Center.

Following BUD/S, it generally takes an additional

six months to one year for an officer to become fully

qualified. An NSW Officer can expect to spend his

entire career in a variety of special operations assign-

ments ranging from operational SEAL and SEAL

Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams to joint staff or Naval

Special Warfare Groups.

Navy Enlisted SEAL

The Navy enlisted SEAL is a highly competent

and qualified member of the special operations

community. All Navy SEALs go through the six

month BUD/S training at the Naval Special Warfare

Center (NAVSPECWARCEN). Upon completion of

BUD/S, all SEALs attend Basic Airborne training

and then undergo a 19-week SEAL Qualification

Training (SQT) course. They then report to their

first operational SEAL or SDV Team. SEAL opera-

tors assigned to an SDV Team must also complete

SDV School, generally en route to or within three

months of arrival at their new command.

Upon arrival at their first team, SEALs are

assigned to an operational SEAL platoon or SDV

task unit for their initial operational assignment.

The process of training and education is continued

throughout their careers through a combination of

formal and informal processes including on-the-job

skills training, attendance at various service or SOF

training courses, and civilian courses of instruction.

Once qualified, an enlisted SEAL can expect to spend

the remainder of his career in the special operations

community.

Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman

Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC)

are specially selected and trained SOF who oper-

ate NSW combatant and other craft in maritime,

coastal, and riverine environments. They conduct

SO such as over-the-beach and other insertion/

extraction of SOF, waterborne guard post, Maritime

Interception Operations/Visit, Board, Search and

Seizure, Coastal Patrol and Interdiction, Special

Reconnaissance, and Foreign Internal Defense, with

or without SEALs or other SOF.

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NAVSPECWARCOM Organizations

Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWCEN)

The Naval Special Warfare Center is located at the

Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California.

NSWCEN is an Echelon III command under the

OPCON and ADCON of NSWC. NSWCEN exer-

cises OPCON and ADCON of subordinate com-

manders and assigned forces for CNSWC.

The NSWCEN mission is the individual instruc-

tion and training of U.S. Navy SOF and other U.S.

and foreign military personnel. The NSWCEN also

performs other tasks as directed.

The NSWCEN is the educational and professional

training center for NSW. As such, it is responsible for

individual SEAL and SWCC selection and their basic

and advanced training.

Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School

The Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical

Training School (NAVSCIATTS) is an NSWCEN

subordinate command (Echelon IV) located at the

Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

The mission of NAVSCIATTS is to conduct

Foreign Internal Defense (FID) and other special

operations (SO) tasks ISO Combatant Commanders

IAW Commander, United States Special Operations

Command priorities using Mobile Training Teams

(MTT) and in-resident training to prepare partner

nation forces to conduct small craft operations in

riverine or littoral environments.

Basic Training Command

The Basic Training Command is an NSWCEN sub-

ordinate command (Echelon IV) located at Coro-

nado, California. The Basic Training Command

mission is to conduct special operations training

and education for U.S. and foreign armed forces and

other designated personnel in basic NSW Tactics,

Techniques, Procedures, and Equipment (TTP&E)

and to award the SEAL and SWCC Navy Enlisted

Classification to qualified U.S. forces.

Advanced Training Command

The Advanced Training Command is an NSWCEN

subordinate command (Echelon IV) located in

Coronado, California. The Advanced Training Com-

mand, with its subordinate training detachments

located throughout the United States, provides

advanced individual skills training and education.

Its mission is to provide NSW forces with standard-

ized, accredited, and Chief of Naval Education and

Training (CNET) approved advanced training and

curriculum to support NSW community recognized

tasks, conditions, and standards.

Naval Special Warfare Detachment Kodiak

Detachment Kodiak is located in Kodiak, Alaska.

It is a small training command consisting of a six-

man training cadre that specializes in training SQT

students, SEAL platoons and Special Boat Team

Detachments in maritime cold weather operations.

Units train in long-range maritime navigation,

across the beach operations, and other cold weather

operations.

Naval Special Warfare Center For SEAL and SWCC

The Naval Special Warfare Center for SEAL and

SWCC (NSWCENSEALSWCC) is an Echelon III

command under Naval Education Training Com-

mand (NETC) with additional duty reporting

requirements to Naval Special Warfare Command.

The NSWCENSEALSWCC Commander is a SEAL

O-6 responsible for the career professional develop-

ment of the NSW community.

The NSWCENSEALSWCC mission is to expand

the reach of NSW intellectual capital through the

innovative use of modern cyber tools that reduce the

time to gain professional knowledge.

Naval Special Warfare Development Group

The Naval Special Warfare Development Group

(NSWDG) is located at the Fleet Combat Training

Center, Dam Neck, Virginia. The mission of the

NSWDG is to provide centralized management for

the test, evaluation, and development of equipment

technology and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures

(TTP) for NSW.

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Chapter 4. U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

Naval Special Warfare Groups

Naval Special Warfare Group Mission

The mission of the Naval Special Warfare Group

(NSWG) is to train, equip, deploy and support

assigned NSW forces, including exercise of OPCON

and ADCON of assigned forces. When directed,

NSWGs command and control NSW and/or other

forces in exercises and operations.

Naval Special Warfare Group Tasks

Tasks common to NSWGs are listed below:

Train, equip, support, and deploy assigned

NAVSOF

Perform Type Commander functions for

assigned forces including readiness evalu-

ation

Plan, coordinate, and conduct unilateral,

joint, combined, and fleet SO and exercises

as required

Establish and function as the naval compo-

nent (NSWTF, or also referred to as Naval

Special Operations Task Force (NAVSOTF))

of a Combined and/or Joint SO Task Force or

numbered fleet for contingency operations or

major theater exercises as directed

Provide forces and intelligence capabilities to

support exercises and operations

Provide Automated Information System (AIS)

and Cryptologic Material Security (CMS) sup-

port to the staff and subordinate commands

Support subordinate commands with message

dissemination, financial management, medical,

legal, chaplain, research, development, testing,

and evaluation, Safety and Explosive Safety,

and travel orders processing

Support CNSWC planning, programming,

and budgeting efforts.

In coordination with NSWC develop, test, and

evaluate Tactics, Techniques and Procedures

(TTP), ordnance, and equipment

Training and integration of reserve forces.

Support GCC, Navy, and USSOCOM planning

as required/directed

Maintain visibility of assets through coordi-

nated management of the Table of Organic

Allowance

Exercise ADCON of assigned NSW forces

when deployed.

Naval Special Warfare Groups ONE and TWO tasks.

In addition to the general tasks listed above, NSWG

ONE and TWO unique responsibilities include the

following:

Training, equipping, readiness assessment

and deployment of NSWRONs.

Training, equipping and deploying combat

support personnel and capabilities in support

of the NSWRONs and other requirements.

Provide Combat Service Support (CSS) includ-

ing deployed personnel/detachments, for

assigned forces and in support of NSWG-3 and

NSWG-4 forces and units when directed.

Maintain the Civil Engineering Support

Equipment (CESE) for geographically col-

located subordinate organizations.

Naval Special Warfare Group Organization

An NSWG is an Echelon III command under the

OPCON and ADCON of NACSPECWARCOM

(Echelon II). NSWG commanders (CNSWGs) exer-

cise OPCON and ADCON of subordinate com-

manders and assigned forces for CNSWC. As such,

NSWG Commanders are accorded the traditional

USN honorific title of Commodore. There are five

NSWGs.

NSWG-1 and NSWG-2 exercise OPCON/

ADCON of the SEAL Teams. NSWGs ONE and

TWO also exercise ADCON of their respective

NSWUs and detachments. The NSWUs are

assigned COCOM to the GCCs.

NSWG-3 exercises OPCON/ADCON of the

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.

NSWG-4 exercises OPCON/ADCON of the

Special Boat Teams.

NSWG-11 exercises OPCON/ADCON of NSW

Reserve Forces.

Naval Special Warfare Training Detachments.

NSWG

ONE and TWO Training Detachments (TRADETs)

execute responsibilities for coordinating, directing,

and conducting NSWRON training and readiness

evaluations.

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Naval Special Warfare Group ONE.

NSWG-1 Mis-

sion Statement—the Commander, Naval Special

Warfare Group ONE (CNSWG-1) is responsible for

organizing, manning, training, educating, equip-

ping, deploying and sustaining assigned forces to

conduct SO, principally in support of USCENT-

COM and USPACOM, but also in support of other

CCDR requirements. Responsibilities include exer-

cise of OPCON and ADCON of subordinate com-

mands and activities including SEAL Teams ONE,

THREE, FIVE and SEVEN, Support Activity ONE,

Logistics and Support Unit ONE, a Mobile Commu-

nications Detachment, and other units and activi-

ties; exercise ADCON of Naval Special Warfare Unit

ONE and Naval Special Warfare Unit THREE; and

act as CNSWC executive agent for NSW support to

USCENTCOM and USPACOM.

CNSWG-1 unique responsibilities include:

Act as CNSWC’s Executive Agent for advising

on NSWC support of the requirements of Com-

manders, USPACOM and USCENTCOM.

Coordinate NSWC support of Theater Special

Operations Commands/Fleet Commander

planning efforts as required ICW the appli-

cable NSWU. (This function is a primary

responsibility of NSWUs)

Be prepared to deploy as the core of a Joint

Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF).

Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Subordinate Com-
mands.

NSWG-1 subordinate commands are as

follows:

SEAL Team ONE (ST-1)

SEAL Team THREE (ST-3)

SEAL Team FIVE (ST-5)

SEAL Team SEVEN (ST-7)

Support Activity ONE (SUPPACT-1)

Logistics and Support Unit ONE (LOGSU-1)

Mobile Communications Detachment (MCD)

Naval Special Warfare Unit ONE (NSWU-1)

(ADCON only, COCOM to CDRUSPA-

COM)

Naval Special Warfare Unit THREE (NSWU-3)

(ADCON only, COCOM to CDRUSCENT-

COM)

Naval Special Warfare Group TWO.

NSWG-2 Mission

Statement—the Commander, Naval Special Warfare

Group TWO (CNSWG-2) is responsible for orga-

nizing, manning, training, educating, equipping,

deploying and sustaining assigned forces to con-

duct SO, principally in support of USEUCOM and

USSOUTHCOM, but also in support of other CCDR

requirements. Responsibilities include exercise of

OPCON and ADCON of subordinate commands

and activities including SEAL Teams TWO, FOUR,

EIGHT and TEN, Support Activity TWO, Logistics

and Support Unit TWO, a Mobile Communications

Detachment, and other units and activities; exercise

ADCON of Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO and

Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Detachment

SOUTH; and act as CNSWC executive agent for NSW

support to USEUCOM and USSOUTHCOM.

CNSWG-2 unique responsibilities include:

Act as CNSWC’s Executive Agent for advising

on support of commanders USEUCOM and

USSOUTHCOM.

Coordinate NSWC support of Theater Special

Operations Commands (TSOC)/Fleet Com-

mander planning efforts as required ICW the

applicable NSWU. (This function is a primary

responsibility of NSWUs).

Be prepared to deploy as the core of a Joint

Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF).

Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Subordinate
Commands.

NSWG-2 subordinate commands are as

follows:

SEAL Team TWO (ST-2)

SEAL Team FOUR (ST-4)

SEAL Team EIGHT (ST-8)

SEAL Team TEN (ST-10)

Support Activity TWO (SUPPACT-2)

Logistics and Support Unit TWO (LOGSU-2)

Mobile Communications Detachment (MCD)

Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO (NSWU-2)

(ADCON only, COCOM to CDRUSEU-

COM)

Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Detach-

ment SOUTH (NSWG-2 DET SOUTH)

(ADCON only, COCOM to CDRUSSOUTH-

COM)

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Chapter 4. U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

Naval Special Warfare Groups THREE and FOUR

NSWG-3 and NSWG-4 provide SO subsurface

and surface mobility capabilities, platforms and

personnel.

The following are tasks common to both NSWG-3

and NSWG-4:

Provide personnel augmentation to deployed

forces as required.

Supervise configuration control of assigned

combatant craft and submersibles.

Coordinate, plan, and administer maintenance/

repair availabilities and execute emergency

repairs as feasible on all major equipment.

In coordination with NSWC, contribute to spe-

cialized weapons and equipment RDT&E.

Support CCDR planning efforts as required.

Naval Special Warfare Group THREE.

NSWG-3 Mis-

sion Statement—the Commander, Naval Special War-

fare Group THREE (CNSWG-3) is responsible for

organizing, manning, training, educating, equipping,

deploying and sustaining assigned forces, principally

for undersea and other maritime special operations in

support of CCDRs. Responsibilities include exercise

of OPCON and ADCON of subordinate commands

and activities including SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team

ONE, and advising CNSWC on undersea and other

designated combat development areas.

CNSWG-3 unique responsibilities include:

Coordinate combatant submersible integration

with host ships and appropriate combatant

submersible issues with Commanders Sub-

marine Forces Atlantic/Pacific.

RDT&E of combatant submersibles and associ-

ated specialized weapons and equipment in

coordination with NSWC.

Naval Special Warfare Group THREE Subordinate
Commands.

NSWG-3 subordinate commands are as

follows:

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE

(SDVT-1)

Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) Detachment Little

Creek.

Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR.

NSWG-4 Mission

Statement—the Commander, Naval Special Warfare

Group FOUR (CNSWG-4) is responsible for orga-

nizing, manning, training, educating, equipping,

deploying and sustaining assigned forces principally

for surface combatant and other maritime special

operations in support of CCDRs. Responsibilities

include the exercise of OPCON and ADCON of sub-

ordinate commands and activities including Special

Boat Teams TWELVE, TWENTY, and TWENTY

TWO; and advising CNSWC on combatant craft and

other designated combat development areas.

CNSWG-4 unique responsibilities include the

following:

In coordination with NSWC, contribute to

the RDT&E on surface craft and associated

weapons and equipment

Serve as the NSWC Executive Agent for SWCC

community management and professional

development.

NSWU-2 personnel board the salvage ship USNS
Grasp during a Maritime Craft Air Delivery System
(MCADS) drop in joint exercise Flexible Leader 07.
U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Eddie Harrison.

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NSWG FOUR Subordinate Commands.

NSWG-4 sub-

ordinate commands are as follows:

Special Boat Team TWELVE (SBT-12), Coro-

nado, California

Special Boat Team TWENTY (SBT-20), Little

Creek, Virginia

Special Boat Team TWENTY-TWO (SBT-22),

Stennis, Mississippi.

Naval Special Warfare Group ELEVEN.

NSWG-11

organizes, mans, trains, educates, equips, deploys,

and sustains assigned NSW Reserve Component

units and personnel in support of Naval Special

Warfare and Joint Special Operations Commanders

worldwide. Responsibilities include the OPCON and

ADCON of subordinated commands and activities,

including SEAL Teams SEVENTEEN and EIGH-

TEEN, and advising CNSWC on NSW Reserve Force

matters.

NSWG-11 tasks include the following:

Theater Engagement missions (JCETS /FID)

Battle Staff support to JSOTF , JSOG, and

NSWRONs

Provide training, logistics, intelligence, and

maintenance support for deployed NSW

forces

When tasked, support Operational Preparation

of the Environment (OPE)

When tasked, provide operational Reserve

units in support of deployed NSWRONs.

NSWG ELEVEN Subordinate Commands. N

SWG-11

subordinate commands are as follows:

SEAL Team SEVENTEEN (ST-17), Coronado,

California

SEAL Team EIGHTEEN (ST-18), Little Creek,

Virginia.

Logistics and Support Units ONE and TWO (LOGSU 1/2)

LOGSU Mission and Tasks

LOGSUs organize, man, train, equip, and deploy

personnel and equipment to provide combat service

support (CSS), including administrative, mainte-

nance, logistical, and medical support. LOGSU tasks

include:

Logistics support including provision of deploy-

able Combat Service Support Troops (CSSTP),

contracting, supply, equipment maintenance,

facilities management, military construction,

hazardous materials, environmental, combat

systems support, Table of Organic Allowance

and ordnance management to NSWGs and

ST/SBTs in CONUS.

Provide range/training facility support to

include logistics, messing, maintenance,

scheduling, and operation.

Conduct maintenance in accordance with

the Navy’s Preventive Maintenance System

(PMS).

Provide the following (departmental) support

to the SEAL Teams: Supply, PMS, Diving,

Ordnance, Air Operations, First Lieutenant/

Engineering, Administration, Career Counsel-

ing, AIS, Medical,

Provide range/training facility support to

include logistics, messing, maintenance,

scheduling, and operation.

LOGSU Organization

LOGSU ONE and TWO are Echelon IV commands

under NSWG-1 and NSWG-2. A LOGSU is com-

manded by an O-5 Supply Corps officer and is orga-

nized into a headquarters element, administrative

departments, and operational elements consisting

of four Combat Service Support Troops (CSSTPs).

A CSSTP normally consists of 17 personnel and

provides CSS to deployed NSWRONs and detach-

ments as required.

LOGSU Capabilities

Each CSSTP provides the following:

Coordination with and through the appropri-

ate CCDR component commands and offices

to provide support to forward deployed NSW

forces.

Contracting capability and expertise including

small purchases and leases, as authorized by

the Theater Executive Agent, and in coor-

dination with the GCC J-4 as appropriate.

CSSTP contracting authorities provide the

CSSTP supply representative with their supply

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Chapter 4. U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

re-issue, requisition, procurement, storage,

distribution, security, and transportation

requirements.

Force embarkation, transportation, equip-

ment maintenance, combat cargo handling,

in-theater logistics, construction, contingency

engineering, camp development and main-

tenance. They also provide for limited force

protection and perimeter defense. A CSSTP

may require reserve augmentation to fully

perform its mission.

Assistance with CBRNE decontamination

operations.

Support Activity ONE and TWO (SUPPACT 1/2)

The SUPPACT mission is to train and deploy specially

trained combat elements and personnel. SUPPACT

1/2 organize, man, train, equip, and deploy elements

to provide SO intelligence collection—intelligence,

surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)—and ana-

lytical capabilities.

SUPPACT 1/2 Organization

SUPPACT 1/2 normally provide ISR and analytical

capabilities as Cross Functional Troops (CFTPs), led

by an O-3 or O-4, with one or more (normally three)

subordinate Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) for each

deploying SEAL squadron. In addition, Regional

Support Troops (RSTPs) support specific geographic

commander requirements.

Mobile Communications Detachments (MCDs)

MCD Mission

MCDs organize, man, train, equip and deploy per-

sonnel and communications equipment to operate

and maintain communications for NSW forces.

MCD Organization

MCDs are combat support activities under NSWG-1

and NSWG-2. An MCD has an O-3 Officer-in-

Charge and is organized into a headquarters ele-

ment, administrative departments, and operational

elements.

MCD Capabilities

NSW communicators provide a variety of voice and

data services for communicating with Joint and Fleet

commands and units using man-portable, modular,

and tactical vehicles as well as messaging systems

(HF, UHF, VHF, SHF, and EHF). MCDs are nor-

mally attached to deploying NSWRONs and provide

rapidly deployable communications capabilities in

austere environments.

SEAL Team

SEAL Teams are Echelon IV commands, subordi-

nate to an NSWG.

SEAL Team Organization

A SEAL Team is commanded by a SEAL O-5. The

teams have a headquarters element and, normally,

three SEAL Troops (SEALTPs). Each SEALTP con-

sists of a small C2 element and one or more (nor-

mally two) SEAL Platoons (SEAL PLTs). The SEAL

PLTs are designated alphabetically with a SEAL

Team.

Each SEAL PLT normally consists of three of-

ficers and 12–14 enlisted personnel. The SEAL PLT

is further divided into two squads, each led by one of

the SEAL officers. The number of SEALs needed for a

particular mission is driven by the mission require-

ments. A small number of SEALs task-organized for

a specific mission or task is often referred to as an

NSW Task Element (NSWTE).

Figure 4-2. Notional Support Activity ONE and TWO

SUPPACT 1/2

Command Group

Cross Functional

Team CHARLIE

Regional Support

Troop 1/2

Cross Functional

Team ALPHA

Cross Functional

Troop 1/2/3/4

Cross Functional

Team BRAVO

Admin and other

departments

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SEAL PLT personnel are dive, parachute, and

demolition qualified, and they are proficient in small-

unit tactics and maritime operations. SEAL junior

enlisted personnel are assigned one or more of seven

platoon “department” responsibilities or “specialties”

which include Intelligence, Diving, Communica-

tions, First Lieutenant, Ordnance, Air Operations,

and Medical.

SEAL Platoon

The SEAL platoons assigned to a SEAL Team are

designated alphabetically, from ALPHA to FOX-

TROT. A SEAL platoon nor-

mally consists of 3 officers and

12-14 enlisted men. A SEAL

platoon is further divided into

two squads each led by a junior

SEAL officer. The number of

SEALs required for a particular

mission is driven by mission

requirements. A small number

of SEALs task-organized for

a specific mission or task is often referred to as an

NSW Task Element (NSWTE).

SEAL platoon personnel are dive, parachute,

and demolition qualified, and proficient in small-

unit tactics and maritime operations. SEAL junior

enlisted personnel are assigned one or more of seven

platoon ‘department’ responsibilities, or ‘specialties’

which include Intelligence, Diving, Communica-

tions, First Lieutenant, Ordnance, Air Operations,

and Medical.

SEALTP-1

SEALTP-2

SEALTP-3

Figure 4-3. Notional SEAL Team Organization

Operations

CHARLIE PLT

ECHO PLT

Comm/ADP

Intelligence

Supply

BRAVO PLT

ALPHA PLT

Ordnance

DELTA PLT

FOXTROT PLT

Medical

Admin

CMC

Figure 4-4. Notional SEAL Platoon Organization

SEAL Platoon Alpha

CDR

(PLT OIC)

SEAL Platoon Leading

Chief Petty Officer

(LCPO)

SEAL Platoon Alpha

Squad Leader

(PLT AOIC)

SEAL Platoon Alpha

Squad Leader

(PLT AOIC)

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Chapter 4. U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

SEAL Capabilities

SEAL Team personnel are trained, organized, and

equipped to infiltrate across hostile shores and

riverine areas to accomplish SO. SEALs possess a

high degree of proficiency in DA and SR includ-

ing, sabotage, demolition, intelligence collection,

hydrographic reconnaissance, as well as the train-

ing and advising of friendly military or other forces.

Subsurface vessels, surface vessels, aircraft, or land

vehicles may be used for insertion and extraction of

SEALs by sea, air, or land. The infiltration method

chosen is dependent on the availability of platforms,

the threat, and the environment. SEAL infiltration

may employ SSN/SSGN—with or without Dry Deck

Shelter, Advanced SEAL Delivery System, SEAL

Delivery Vehicle, surface vessels, surface swim-

ming, combat (submerged) swimming, static-line

or free-fall parachuting, helicopter (rappelling/fast-

roping and helicopter sniper assaults), and mounted/

dismounted patrol. While maintaining capabilities

to operate in all environments (desert, arctic, litto-

ral, riverine, mountain, jungle, and urban), SEALs

tailor their training and preparation to the condi-

tions anticipated in the AO to which they are to be

deployed.

All SEALs are trained in the following areas,

but designated platoon members maintain a higher

degree of proficiency in the following “department”

skills:

Intelligence

Dive Equipment Maintenance and Repair

(open and closed-circuit)

Electronics (communications and other

devices)

First Lieutenant (sea and land mobility sys-

tems)

Ordnance—Arms, Ammunitions, and Explo-

sives (AA&E), Visual Augmentation System

(VAS), breacher, sniper, and Joint Tactical Air

Control (JTAC)

Air Operations Equipment Maintenance and

Repair (air assault/support, static line, and

freefall parachuting)

Medical (Hospital Corpsman with SO Techni-

cian qualification).

SEAL Team – Expeditionary

Six months prior to deployment, the SEAL Team

(with its organic SEAL Troops) assumes OPCON of

assigned combat support and combat service support

elements, to form a Naval Special Warfare Squadron

(NSWRON). Combat Support (CS) includes a SUP-

PACT 1/2 Cross Functional Team (CFT), EOD Det,

TCS Det and other joint, fleet, or SOF unit or per-

sonnel. Combat Service Support (CSS) elements may

include a SEABEE Det; a Mobile Communication

Det (MCD); or Individual Augmentees (IA). The

NSWRON and its subordinate troops may be redes-

ignated or source provisional task organizations for

specific exercises and operations (Discussed Chapter

5). A notional deployed NSWRON providing the

C2 element and core staff in support of a NSWTG,

SOTF, TF, or other C2 organization as determined

by the supported operational chain of command,

and/or providing one or more NSWTUs in support

of a NSWTG, SOTF, TF, or other C2 organization,

is depicted in Figure 4-5 as configured for (notional)

sustained or expeditionary combat in support of a

named operation.

Naval Special Warfare Task Force

A NSWTF is a provisional naval special warfare

organization that plans, conducts, and supports

special operations in support of joint, fleet, or other

commanders. It may be the naval component of

a Joint Special Operations Task Force, or its com-

mander may command the Joint Special Operations

Task Force. It may also be the SOF component of a

Navy TF. A NSWTF normally provides for com-

mand and control of two or more NSWTGs or other

subordinate units. It is normally commanded by a

SEAL Captain (O-6), often a Naval Special Warfare

Unit Commanding Officer or a Naval Special War-

fare Group Commander.

Naval Special Warfare Task Group

A NSWTG is a provisional NSW task organization

that plans, conducts, and supports special operations

in support of joint force special operations compo-

nents and/or fleet commanders. It is comprised of

a command and control element and one or more

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subordinate NSWTUs or other units or forces. It is

normally commanded by a SEAL Commander (O-5),

often the Commanding Officer of a NSWRON.

Naval Special Warfare Task Unit

A NSWTU is a provisional NSW task organiza-

tion consisting of a C2 element, one or more SEAL

platoons, and/or other combat elements, combat

support, combat service support, mobility and other

attachments required to plan, C2, conduct, and

sustain SO. A NSWTU is normally commanded

by a SEAL Lieutenant Commander (O-4) or senior

Lieutenant (O-3).

Naval Special Warfare Task Element

A NSWTE is a provisional NSW task organization

generally used to refer to smaller tactical/maneuver

combat or combat support elements task organized

to conduct a given mission.

Special Boat Teams (SBTs)

Special Boat Team Mission and Tasks

The mission of a SBT is to organize, man, train,

equip and deploy SO combatant craft and crews as

Special Boat Troops (SBTP) to conduct SO.

Planning, training, and preparation tasks in-

clude:

Train and equip assigned forces to meet the

requirements of CCDR Mission Guidance

Letters, FXP-6, and METLs.

Form SBTPs into cohesive force packages for

deployment and employment.

Specific SBT operational tasks include Coastal

Patrol and Interdiction (CP&I), SO in a riverine,

coastal and maritime environment, including mobil-

ity and other support to SEALs and other SOF.

Special Boat Team Organization

SBTs are Echelon IV commands assigned to

NSWG-4. SBTs consist of maritime special oper-

ations forces and support personnel organized,

trained, and equipped to operate and support a

variety of combatant craft in maritime, coastal and

riverine environments.

An SBT is commanded by an O-5 SEAL and is

organized into a headquarters element, administra-

tive and logistics support elements, and operational/

combat elements normally consisting of three SBTPs.

An SBTP is led by a SEAL O-3 and consists of a small

C2 element, CSS and other capabilities, and one or

more SB Detachments (SBD). An SBD normally con-

sists of two craft and crew (SWCC), and may include

a small Maintenance Support Team (MST). When

deployed, SBTPs may be attached to a NSWRON

or detach as directed by the Commander, NSWU

to conduct operations separate from NSWRON C2

and oversight.

SBTs 12 and 20 provide Special Boat Troops-

Coastal (SBTP-C) which normally consist of one MK

V Det and three RIB Dets. SBT 22 provides Special

Boat Troops-Riverine (SBTP-R) which normally

consist of two SOC-R Dets.

Figure 4-5. Notional Deployed NSW Squadron

Command Group

Combat Support

Combat Service Support

Combat Elements

NSWTG-XX

(Leadership and core sourced

by SEAL NSWRON)

NSWTU-XX-Y

(Leadership and core sourced

by SEAL Troop)

August 2008

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

4-13

Chapter 4. U.S. Naval Special Operations Forces

Special Boat Team Capabilities

SBT personnel operate and maintain a variety of

combatant and other craft for maritime SO. The craft

most frequently employed are high speed combat-

ant craft designed for delivery of SOF in littoral and

riverine environments. Lightly armed and armored

NSW combatant craft employ stealth, surprise,

speed and agility in the conduct of SO. Like their

SEAL counterparts, SWCC personnel are specially

trained and selected SOF.

Infiltration/Exfiltration.

SWCC may employ combat-

ant or other craft to infiltrate and exfiltrate SEALs

and other SOF, allied and/or, indigenous forces, or

non-combatants. Additionally, SBDs may be used to

transport limited numbers of detainees from SOF

objectives to afloat or ashore temporary holding

facilities as well as personnel recovery.

Coastal Patrol and Interdiction.

SWCC may conduct

Coastal Patrol and Interdiction (CP&I) and may

provide limited naval gunfire support (to maneuver

forces).

Command, Control, and Communication.

SWCC may

employ their craft to provide tactical secure voice

communications to include acting as a mobile or

fixed combat communications ‘relay’.

Intelligence.

SWCC may employ craft to conduct

reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as act as

platforms for employment of signals intelligence

personnel and their equipment.

Mobility.

NSW RIB and SOC-R Detachments can be

transported to an AO overland, using either vehicle

line-haul or organic prime movers, or by sea, or airlift.

The large size of the MK-V SOC and its transporter

make impractical overland transits of anything but

short distances, normally from airport or seaport of

debarkation to a suitable launch or recovery point.

A heavy-lift crane is required for MK V launch and

recovery. NSW combatant craft may operate from, or

be supported by U.S. Navy, USNS and allied ships.

This includes operating with a ship that is acting as

an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) and able

to refuel, rearm, launch and recover or otherwise

provide support that extends the range, endurance,

and reach of combatant or other craft for a given

mission.

Noncombat Operations.

SBTs may support opera-

tional test and evaluation, provide emergency disas-

ter relief or evacuation assistance, and conduct FID.

FID often involves training on indigenous or host/

partner nation craft and equipment.

Figure 4-6. Notional Special Boat Team Organization

Operations

Training

Medical

Intelligence

Supply

SBTP

Safety

Ordnance

Reserves

Admin

CMC

Note: SBTs 12/20 provide SBTP-C, SBT 22 provides SBTP-R

Military reference books and manuals (2009-2023, Volume 2) - page 27