Nov. 24, 2025

Getting Small: Institutionalizing Split-Team Operations for Large Scale Combat Operations

Modern battlefields are characterized by intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)-saturated and electronic warfare (EW)-contested environments. Large formations are vulnerable to drone swarms, rapid counter-battery fire, and automated targeting, making agility, dispersion, deception, and timely action critical for survival. Special Forces (SF) employ these necessary characteristics of modern warfare through split-team operations – dividing into small, independent elements, even down to singleton operators – to achieve stealth, autonomy, seamless integration with joint fire support, and increased operational coverage.

Nov. 21, 2025

Military Culture Shift: The Impact of War, Money, and Generational Perspective on Morale, Retention, and Leadership by Corie Weathers

How often have you heard the phrase, “Today’s generation is so different?” With four generations of Americans serving across the joint force, a key challenge is the “messy dynamic” of leading and caring for them regardless of age, experience, or beliefs.

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.

Nov. 18, 2025

Special Warfare Drone Networks for the Modern Battlefield

As the U.S. military evolves to meet the complexities of modern warfare, the looming threats of conflict can sometimes overshadow the essential preparations needed to address future challenges. One critical requirement for the modern soldier is connectivity, whether for an infantryman, a pilot, or an intelligence analyst. The question then arises: How can U.S. forces maintain connectivity in denied, degraded, or disrupted environments during large-scale combat operations (LSCO)? This article explores how an unmanned system (UxS) network can provide reliable connectivity to the forward line of own troops (FLOT) in combat scenarios.

Nov. 13, 2025

Call for Feedback: Help Shape the Future of Civil Affairs

Have you ever observed a capability gap and advocated for a change, only to see your thoughts and ideas go nowhere? All too often, units develop important insights from training events and generate extensive after-action reviews, only for these products to sit at the team or company level – of little to no use to the broader enterprise.

Oct. 15, 2025

Perspectives: Realigning Joint Combined Exchange Training within the ARSOF Readiness Model

The Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) program, a longstanding cornerstone of U.S. special operations forces (USSOF) training, has faced tensions between the force provider components and the theater special operations commands (TSOCs). Per U.S. Code Title 10, Section 322, the primary purpose of JCETs is to train special operations forces. While JCETs can supplement TSOC theater campaign plans, they are often used as a convenient solution to achieve objectives outside the scope of training authorities. Therefore, the current sourcing and execution of JCETs are misaligned with the Army special operations forces’ readiness model.

Oct. 9, 2025

Perspectives: Special Operations Forces Value Proposition to the Conventional Force in Large Scale Combat Operations

To avoid fighting “the last war,” strategic planners have tried to characterize the next fight, particularly as it relates to optimizing conventional forces and special operations forces (SOF) to be adept at large-scale combat operations (LSCO). However, a clearly articulated vision or guidance on how to evolve has not been consistently communicated.

Oct. 2, 2025

Perspectives from the Force: No More Hot-Dogging

Integrity, esprit de corps, and disciplined conduct will be necessary to ensure the Army’s readiness, cohesion, and ability to face threats effectively in future large-scale combat operations. Sometimes, in our drive to anticipate and prepare for this future, we overlook the invaluable lessons of the past. Some of those lessons were earned in blood; others were instilled in us due to the impact of transformational leaders. Within the Army special operations community, one such leader was Col. Charles Fry, a pioneer and legend within Special Forces. Col. Fry instilled a spirit of quiet professionalism in a generation of Green Berets. As our army anticipates the future battlefield and undergoes a period of transformation to prepare for the challenges ahead, Col. Fry’s words echo through time reminding us of our duty to the profession and to each other.

Sept. 30, 2025

Pursuing Higher Education: New Degree Pathways for Civil Affairs Special Operations Combat Medics

The role of special operations combat medics continues to evolve alongside rapid advancements in military medicine. Special operations medics are specially selected Soldiers tasked with the delivery of critical care in complex environments, while also individually embracing opportunities to enhance their medical expertise through higher education. This article details the unique journey of the special operations combat medics enrolled in the Special Operations Civil Affairs Medical Sergeants (SOCAMS) Course, which is offered at the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center (JSOMTC) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Sept. 25, 2025

Who We Are, What We Do: Framing the Special Forces Identity Debate

“Our nation will require answers without even knowing the questions—but answer you will.” -Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Waldo, addressing a graduating Special Forces Regimental First Formation in 20241 Over the past year, a public debate has emerged over the Special Forces Regiment’s identity: who Green Berets are, what missions define us, and how we remain relevant in great-power competition. The conversation is occurring beyond official channels in LinkedIn® posts, podcasts, and professional journals—an indicator that the community is wrestling with foundational questions.