Special Warfare Journal

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Stability by Design: How ARSOF Culture Empowers the Operator and Anchors the Household

Military service is built on a shared cultural identity. Conversations across the force often default to the concept that every Soldier is part of one Army. All Soldiers, from Stryker infantrymen to Special Forces weapons sergeants, share the foundational identity represented by the U.S. Army nametape worn above their heart. Likewise, every Soldier is bound by the same oath and serves the same Constitution. However, this shared foundation overshadows the profound organizational and cultural differences between the conventional force and Army special operations forces (ARSOF).

Tag: Drones

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division prepares the Anduril Ghost-X Medium-Range Reconnaissance (MRR) drone for flight during exercise Combined Resolve 25-1 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Chandler Coats)

Nov. 20, 2025

Loitering Munitions in Modern Combat: Addressing Tactical Gaps at the Small Unit Level

In the dynamic landscape of modern warfare, the bedrock of U.S. special operations forces (SOF) has always been its unparalleled adaptability. Yet, as the character of conflict undergoes a quiet but profound revolution, there exists a critical vulnerability within the tactical small unit. The current gap within SOF units is the lack of an organic and expeditious package capable of conducting precision strikes and providing direct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Loitering munitions can address this gap.