Unconventional Warfare
Enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce a government or operate alongside an underground force in a denied area.
Special Forces Information
Falling under the umbrella of Special Operations Forces (SOF), Special Forces is the United States military's premier Unconventional Warfare force. The missions undertaken by Special Forces encompass a broad spectrum of capabilities, including Unconventional Warfare, Counterterrorism, Direct Action, Foreign Internal Defense, and Special Reconnaissance. Operating in self-sufficient teams comprised of 12 individuals, Special Forces Soldiers are well-suited for both sensitive and demanding missions that require mental agility as well as physical stamina.
Special Forces operates globally, from playing key roles in Operation Enduring Freedom to humanitarian work in Africa and counter-narcotics in South America. National Guard Special Forces have additional missions stateside providing unique resources in response to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.
19th and 20th Special Forces Group fall under the Army National Guard. Texas Army National Guard Special Forces includes two companies from 19th Special Forces Group.
Missions
Foreign Internal Defense
Train and equip foreign allied military forces to defend against insurgency, subversion, terrorism, and other security threats.
Direct Action
Seize, capture, recover, or destroy enemy material, or utilize quick strikes to recover personnel.
Special Reconnaissance
Conduct surveillance in hostile, denied, or sensitive environments to collect or verify information of strategic significance.
Counterterrorism
Actions taken directly and indirectly to influence and render global and regional environments inhospitable to terrorist networks.
Life in Army National Guard Special Forces
Missions
Conduct real-world missions in support of the United States Army Special Operations Command across the globe as a member of a Special Forces Team.
Training
Enhance your skills and gain new abilities during drill periods which are spaced throughout the year to accommodate your civilian pursuits.
Schools
Attend specialty schools focused on tactics, air & water operations, shooting, demolitions, communications, emergency treatment, and more.
Exercises
Conduct training exercises with your team across the nation annually to enhance your team's warfighting capabilities and specialty skills.
Special Forces Entry Positions
Weapons
18Bs are experts in the employment of U.S. and foreign weapons systems, including small arms, mortars, air defense systems, and antitank weapons found throughout the world. They employ conventional and unconventional tactics and techniques as tactical mission leaders.
Engineer
18Cs are highly skilled in planning and constructing buildings and bridges and in their demolition. They design and direct field fortifications and stand-off measures. 18Cs are experts in demolitions including land-mine warfare and designing and deploying improvised munitions.
Medical
18Ds are well-versed in human and animal physiology. They are specialists in trauma management, infectious diseases, cardiac life support, and surgical procedures. 18Ds provide emergency, routine, and long-term medical care for their teams and for their partner force.
Communications
18Es are experts in managing critical communications to and from the team's command and control elements. They are familiar with cryptographic systems, burst outstation systems, antenna theory, radio wave propagation, and equipment using FM, AM, HF, VHR, UHF and SHF.
Commander
The 18A is a captain and has full command authority and responsibility for the detachment. 18As are schooled in the art of unconventional warfare and how to deploy the unique capabilities of each Special Forces MOS. 18As may advise an indigenous battalion-size combat force.
Special Forces Advanced Positions
Operations
The 18Z is the senior enlisted member of the ODA with extensive experience serving as one or more of the lower enlisted positions. 18Zs are responsible for all administrative, operational, and training requirements. They advise commanders on all aspects of special operations and enlisted matters.
Intelligence
The 18F is responsible for the collection, aggregation, and analysis of intelligence for the ODA. 18Fs have experience in one of more of the initial enlisted positions. They advise commanders on intel matters, coordinate the ODA’s intel efforts, build target packets, and perform target site exploitation.
Assistant Commander
The 180A is a Warrant Officer with extensive experience serving as one or more of the enlisted positions. 180As advise commanders on all aspects of special operations and are responsible for the integration of emerging technologies. Serves as the ODA Commander when necessary.
Texas Army National Guard Special Forces Team
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Phone: 512-638-7308