Special forces (SF) are generic terms for elite highly-trained military, police or civilian paramilitary tactical teams that conduct specialized operations such as reconnaissance, guerilla warfare, unconventional warfare, direct action and counter-terrorism actions. In the United States, the term special operations forces (SOF) is often used, as "special forces" refers to a specific unit, the US Army's Special Forces, commonly called the "Green B...
more
Special forces (SF) are generic terms for elite highly-trained military, police or civilian paramilitary tactical teams that conduct specialized operations such as reconnaissance, guerilla warfare, unconventional warfare, direct action and counter-terrorism actions. In the United States, the term special operations forces (SOF) is often used, as "special forces" refers to a specific unit, the US Army's Special Forces, commonly called the "Green Berets".
Special forces units are typically composed of relatively small groups of personnel operating under principles of self-sufficiency, stealth, speed, and close teamwork, Throughout the later half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, special forces have come to higher prominence, as governments have found objectives can sometimes be better achieved by a small team of anonymous specialists than a larger and more politically controversial conventional deployment.
Special forces are small-scale, clandestine, covert or overt...
less
