20231220_Vocabulaire militaire français-anglais.pdf — page 83

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S P E C I A L  O P E R A T I O N S  
 
SPECIAL OPERATIONS are operations conducted by specially organized, trained, and equipped military 
and paramilitary forces to achieve military, political, economic, or psychological objectives by 
unconventional military means in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive areas.  
These operations are conducted during peacetime competition, conflict, and war, independently or in 
coordination with operations of conventional, nonspecial operations forces.  
Political-military considerations frequently shape special operations, requiring clandestine, covert, or low 
visibility techniques and oversight at the national level.  
Special operations differ from conventional operations in degree of physical and political risk, operational 
techniques, mode of employment, independence from friendly support, and dependence on detailed 
operational intelligence and indigenous (= locaux) assets.  
Special operations (SO) are a form of warfare characterized by a unique set of objectives, weapons, and 
forces.  
A mission, under a certain set of environmental constraints, may require the application of SO skills and 
techniques. Change one or more of those characteristics, and the mission may no longer fit the category of 
SO. For example, the Grenada operation was designed to rescue a large number of American citizens and 
publicly demonstrate US resolve. As such, it required a visible, conventional operation on a relatively large 
scale, with SO in support and targeted at specific objectives. Conversely, had the goals been to recover a 
small number of detained personnel and to limit US presence, SO might have been selected as the preferred 
option.  
The capabilities of special operations forces (SOF) primarily are a function of individual and small unit 
proficiency in a multitude of specialized, often unconventional, combat skills applied with 
adaptability, improvisation, innovation, and self-reliance. The small size, unique capabilities, and 
often self-sufficient (for short periods) nature of SOF operational units provide the US with feasible and 
appropriate military responses that do not entail the degree of political liability or risk of escalation 
normally associated with employment of necessarily larger, or more visible, conventional forces.  
SOF are not a substitute for strong conventional forces but a necessary adjunct to existing 
conventional capabilities. Depending upon requirements, SOF can operate independently or in conjunction 
with conventional forces. SOF can complement and reinforce conventional forces so that they can achieve an 
objective that might not otherwise be attainable.  
The special skills and low visibility capabilities inherent in SOF also provide an adaptable military 
response in situations or crises requiring tailored, precisely focused use of force. SOF can be quickly 
task-organized and rapidly deployed to provide the National Command Authorities (NCA) a selective, 
flexible crisis response capability.  
Often, SOF may be the force of choice for the NCA to provide a capability that falls between diplomatic 
initiatives and the overt commitment of conventional force.  
 
Characteristics of Special Operations.  
SO are marked by certain characteristics that cumulatively distinguish them from conventional operations.  
• They are principally offensive, usually of high physical and political risk, and directed at high-value, 
critical, and often perishable targets. They offer the potential for high returns, but rarely a second chance 
should a first mission fail.  
• They are often principally politico-military in nature and subject to oversight at the national level. They 
frequently demand operator-level detailed planning and rapid coordination with other commands, Services, 
and Government agencies.  
• They often require responsive joint ground, air, and maritime operations and the C2 architecture 
permanently resident in the existing SOF structure.  
• They may frequently be covert or clandestine.  
• They are frequently prosecuted when the use of conventional forces is either inappropriate or infeasible for 
either military or political reasons.