US Army PSYOPS (Psychological Operations): Sure, most soldiers serving in SOCOM’s US Army PSYOPS are not door kickers, but that does not mean that they do not fulfill a vital role. PSYOPS are used both overtly and covertly in order to influence populations and create dissent among our enemies. While most operators prefer to put two bullets in the heart and one in the mind of the enemy, PSYOPS tries to win the hearts and minds with strategic messages.
Joint Special Operations Command/ JSOC: And now for the units everyone adores the most, including the President of the United States. JSOC serves as a specially funded command with the most elite units, Special Mission Units (SMU), which are at the President’s disposal for the most difficult and sensitive operations. These SMUs are Tier One Units or Black SOF. Not only are they the most difficult units to be accepted in, they are also shrouded in the most secrecy. In order to protect our oaths and former colleagues, we will only speak in general terms and discuss what is readily available on the internet, but at least you will have your verbiage right with this special breed of pipe-hitters.
US Navy Special Warfare Developmental Group (NSWDG) / DEVGRU / Seal Team Six: Ever since the clandestine raid on Usama Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan, Seal Team Six, or DEVGRU as they are referred to in the community, have been in the limelight. While the details of the unit are classified, suffice to say if these guys come knocking on your door it is going to be a bad day. Accepting only the best US Navy operators, Seal Team Six trains its operators to another level of elite bad-assery. Those on the wrong end of their missions usually wind up taking an unwanted vacation or a long dirt nap. Either way, when a tough problem faces our nation, Seal Team Six is a welcome tool to have in the bag.
US Army 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) / Combat Applications Group / Delta Force or “The Unit”: Its hard to find someone that has not heard of Delta Force, and trust me – the bad guys do not want to say, hear or even think about this group of warriors. Plucked from the Army’s elite units, such as Rangers and SF, Delta Force is one of the President’s best tools in the War on Terror, as well as other less known conflicts that have popped up around the world. Delta is especially talented when it comes to hostage rescue, but don’t think that’s all they do. With the GWOT being a massive hunting operation for extremist leaders, Delta is quite adept at utilizing intelligence to plan and execute daring raids on the worst of the worst. Plus, Chuck Norris played a Delta operator in the ‘Delta Force’ movie series and we all know anything Chuck touches is pure gold.
US Army Ranger Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC): While the Ranger regiment remains a white SOF element under SOCOM, certain operators are plucked and used in the JSOC kingdom. The Ranger Recon Company is one such example and is a special breed of operators that are thought to be among the US military’s best special reconnaissance units.
Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron: The most elite Air Force operators make up the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, which is housed at Pope Field, adjacent to Fort Bragg, and serves as an integral part of the JSOC mission. As stated before, though less talked about, Air Force operators are welcomed by most units on almost any mission.
US Army 160th Special Operations Aviations Regiment (SOAR) / Night Stalkers: You can’t fast rope onto a building and kill bad guys if you don’t have a ride. Pilots in the 160th are tasked with flying the most sensitive missions, often on short notice, and ensure that our elite warriors ingress and egress safely. They also perform reconnaissance and other vital missions.
US Army Intelligence Support Activity: Unfortunately we cannot and will not tell you much about this group. The only reason we included them on our list is because this unit has become more prominent on the web since the GWOT kicked off. Suffice to say they play a critical role in our national security apparatus and whether you know it or not… you are glad they are around. Trust me.
BONUS: CIA Ground Branch (Paramilitary Officers): CIA’s covert paramilitary arm, Ground Branch, is NOT a part of any of the above military commands, however, they play a vital role in our national security – you just didn’t know it. Again, there is little we will say in the case of GB, but they are tremendous operators that take the fight to the enemy on a daily basis.
