What is Special Forces? #1

      "Who Dares Wins"

 Special Forces has an unique characteristics. Chosen and drilled specially, this units are often tasked to carry out covert mission,secret mission, or high risk mission. The process of choosing and drilling needs a long time and complex things has a high level of failure. As a result, special forces units is likely to be a small number of people in the huge military machine. But because of their ability and renowned as having a high capability, elite units always have the potency to win the war. In this writing, I will publish as neutral as I can the overview of Special Forces selection procedures, how they led, and what role will they play in the future.

Special Forces : Definitions

Special forces often seen as the glamour world in the military. They are the most capable people to capture the heart of the media to make every action of their as the headline. Even western media like to said that peeping on them is more intriguing than watching James Bond. The reality? very different....a life without a name, super-hard work in tormenting condition without thanks, morale rupturing danger, and the tiring and heavy exercise, In the times of war, special forces often operate behind enemy line for sabotage or espionage. Another main role of them is counter-terrorism.

USA Green Berets' Badge and Logo

 The very basic things, Special Forces is a military unit that trained for unconventional operations. Although there is a clear divider line between the special and conventional unit, it actually quiet hard to be explained. But it is already common that the terms "Special Forces" refers to all units trained for different type of operations. For example, since the World War II (1939-1945), they have been playing an important role of counter-terrorism. Other special tasks (unique) are as guards, or at the war times, infiltrate far deep into enemy line for espionage, demolition, and interference. Because of that uniqueness country like USA put Special Forces separately. This high quality troops are exist in every branch of army as well as in the law enforcement agencies.
 Otherwise in the smaller countries and less prosperous nations, special forces training that they had is not really particularly specific. Their special forces exercise and work in the same level as an conventional army from greater continent. Take example of North Korea, this communist nation have a lot of "Special Forces", Special just because they have been specifically trained to infiltrate South Korea and make a maximum chaotic condition. Sometimes, that kind of "Special Forces" are created for political reason,  in order to create loyalty to the state or to the state leader.
 Another important characteristic that distinguish Special Forces than conventional forces is the matter of size. Their number has nothing to do in which level they are controlled. For example British Special Air Service (SAS). Even though their number is approximately same as one British Tank Battalion (total 600), but they are taking order from highest command in the times of war, or direct from the  British government when dealing with terrorist in homeland. Similar to that thing, A-Team of US Green Berets that has 12 personnel led by a captain, they can easily do the job by direct order from Pentagon or President's staff in White House.

  
< French Foreign Legion
All members of the French Foreign Legion is a Special Forces, they are the legion troops, part of the French Quick Reaction units

^Guards Unit
These Soldiers is the member of British Grenadier Guards Regiment. Even though they are a highly trained infantry soldier, and moreover an elite, Grenadier Guards couldn't be considered as a Special Forces because they don't operate behind enemy line. nicknamed as "Red Coats"

Special Forces and Military Elites

Most of the Special Forces members were taken from a group which he/she stand out. Next, they are trained with higher standard and given better equipment compared to the conventional unit. In the contrary, military elites are conventional units that have impressive reputation. For example the British Army’s Guards achieved reputation as guard of the monarch. Now the Guards even form a conventional infantry units and armored unit, with the addition of ceremonial duty. In the other words, they are like a police that guards British Monarchy. Whereas the Legion Estrangere is considerable as a special forces in French Army. Besides that, Legion Estrangere have a specialist company that provides submerge combatants, mountain war troops, and other special forces ability.

^Airborne Troops

Members of British Regiment Parachute (Paras) in Iraq at 2003. This regiment is considered as a special forces because they can fight in small teams in enemy territory after deployed with parachute. Paras have 3 battalion, each has 500 troops. As comparison, their equivalent from US, 82nd Airborne Division, have 14.500 troops.

Special Forces in Battle

In conventional war, special forces do the espionage, raiding, demolition, and causing interference behind the enemy line job. The effect of this operation is always designed to be far more greater than the troops involved. Special force units are capable of carrying out all kinds of operations whether it would be on land, sea, or air. In order to smooth such an operation no wonder the members got a long list of armament, gear, tools, and vehicle to choose. They can operate on their own, or as a part of the master plan that involves much larger troops of navy, air, and land. There is a tight connection between the special forces and conventional intelligent unit. The success of an operation needs the best intelligence data. Otherwise the special forces units often provide direct information of available target for the field commander.

^SEALs

US Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) on a high speed rubber boat. SEAL soldiers are among the best special forces worldwide. They can use various type of weapons and raiding tactics. 

^Israeli Elite

Israeli airborne troops descending from the sky, Israeli airborne unit has long been the most well-trained and complete in equipment from all the Israel Army