Search

The process of separation of special forces (military special operations units) in the structure of the armed forces of NATO countries began in the 1980s. By the end of the Cold War, two states had done this: the United States and the United Kingdom (1987). By the end of the 20th century, they had been followed by France (1992) and Turkey (1994). This article describes the chronology of changes in this area up to January 2020, by which time 18 out of 29 NATO states had upgraded their special forces to the status of separate branches of their armed forces or troops. Two models of management had been adopted within the framework of the autonomization of the said units, which at the beginning of the 2020s comprised up to 5% of all armed forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the physical domain (PD) to improve performance in all the POTFF domains (physical, psychological, social/family, and spiritual) among Special Forces (SF) Operators., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of active SF Operators assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). Recruitment began in October 2016. Testing began on 1 January 2017, and concluded on 28 February 2020. Participants completed physical testing, blood draws, and questionnaires to determine domain metrics. Means, medians, and proportions were compared by level of participation in the PD., Results: A total of 231 Soldiers participated; n=63 in the control group, n=93 in the <4 days PD/week (PD <4) group, and n=66 in the >4 days PD/week (PD =4) group. The average age was 31 years (range 21-47 y). The average time in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) was 4 years (range 0-19 y). The PD =4 group showed significantly greater overall upper (p=.01) and lower (p=0) body strength, power (p=.01), and positive affect (p=.04). The PD =4 group also had significantly lower anxiety (p=.03), stress (p=.04), and depression (p=.02) than the control group., Conclusion: The PD and psychological domain metrics were most associated with PD participation. This finding is consistent with the goals of the PD, which are to increase physical and mental capabilities and decrease injury recovery time., (2023.)

The article discusses the use of steroids for performance enhancement in the U.S. military. It mentions that the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) could increase the likelihood of successfully completing a mission. It notes that PED is a general term that encapsulates any drug that a user can take to improve performance by some measure.

Gasier HG, Olson CA. The Effects of a Carbohydrate-Protein Drink on Performance and Mood in U.S. Pararescue Trainees. JEPonline 2010;13(3):22-31. Carbohydrate-protein (CHO-PRO) beverages have been reported to improve endurance performance; however, no studies have been conducted on elite military combatants in a field setting in a fed state. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CHO-PRO supplement on physical performance and mood in U.S. Air Force Pararescue indoctrination trainees. Eight, healthy U.S. Air Force Pararescue indoctrination trainees completed a double-blind, randomized crossover study. Following a morning meal (592 kcal), subjects completed a 2000 m swim, physically demanding water activities, calisthenics (push-ups, pull-ups, curl-ups and flutter-kicks), a 6.4 km run, and a 400 m exhaustive run. Supplements (600 ml x 5 doses) were provided throughout the study and consisted of a placebo (PLA), an 8.9% carbohydrate solution (CHO), and a 7.22% carbohydrate/1.81% protein solution (CHO-PRO). Times (minutes and seconds) and repetitions were used to assess physical performance, and subjective mood states were determined using the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS). No differences were observed between the CHO-PRO, CHO, and PLA groups on any of the physical performance measures or mood states. These results suggest that, in the fed state, a CHO-PRO beverage does not enhance physical performance or mood during a series of physically demanding activities lasting < 1 h in duration in U.S. Air Force Pararescue indoctrination trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polemos is the property of Croatian Sociological Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The United States and Al Qaeda represent two fundamentally different forms of warfare. The US, with its basis in the Western way of warfare, relies on an almost totally instrumental form of warfare and Al Qaeda, with its basis in the Islamic way of warfare, fights an expressive, existential form of warfare. This paper illustrates how both sides' ways of warfare are converging toward each other. It also argues that this is in fact a good thing because it will allow the US to understand its enemy and thereby allow the US to defeat him in terms he can understand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the ability of the US Army Special Forces to combat illicit networks (criminal and terrorist) through 'dynamic attenuation'. It is argued that a process of dynamic attenuation, where network ties and not the actors in the network are targeted, should replace the current US strategy of 'killing or capturing' criminal agents threatening US interests. By dynamically attenuating (not destroying) the ties between and among criminal actors and criminal organisations, the US can effectively reduce the capability of criminal organisations to operate and achieve their missions (profit and/or terror). This argument is substantiated by assessing the environments where criminal networks thrive, the characteristics of criminal networks, the utility of targeting networks instead of individual actors, and through a comparison of criminal organisations' and US Army Special Forces' strengths and weaknesses. This article concludes with implications and recommendations for US policy in the fight against criminal organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: U.S. military special operation forces represent the most elite units of the U.S. Armed Forces. Their selection is highly competitive, and over the course of their service careers, they experience intensive operational training and combat deployment cycles. Yet, little is known about the health-care needs of this unique population., Method: Professional consultations with over 50 special operation forces operators (and many spouses or girlfriends) over the past 6 years created a naturalistic, observational base of knowledge that allowed our team to identify a unique pattern of interrelated medical and behavioral health-care needs., Results: We identified a consistent pattern of health-care difficulties within the special operation forces community that we and other special operation forces health-care providers have termed "Operator Syndrome." This includes interrelated health and functional impairments including traumatic brain injury effects; endocrine dysfunction; sleep disturbance; obstructive sleep apnea; chronic joint/back pain, orthopedic problems, and headaches; substance abuse; depression and suicide; anger; worry, rumination, and stress reactivity; marital, family, and community dysfunction; problems with sexual health and intimacy; being "on guard" or hypervigilant; memory, concentration, and cognitive impairments; vestibular and vision impairments; challenges of the transition from military to civilian life; and common existential issues., Conclusions: "Operator Syndrome" may be understood as the natural consequences of an extraordinarily high allostatic load; the accumulation of physiological, neural, and neuroendocrine responses resulting from the prolonged chronic stress; and physical demands of a career with the military special forces. Clinical research and comprehensive, intensive immersion programs are needed to meet the unique needs of this community.