Special operations Special operations ( S . O . ) are military operations that are considered " special " ( that is , unconventional ) , usually carried out by dedicated special forces units . Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations . The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does not exist or might affect the overall strategic outcome . Special operations are usually conducted in a low - profile manner that typically aim to achieve the advantage of speed , surprise , and violence of action against an unsuspecting target . Special ops are typically carried out with limited numbers of highly trained personnel that are able to operate in all environments , utilize self - reliance , are able to easily adapt and overcome obstacles , and use unconventional combat skills and equipment to complete objectives . Special operations are usually implemented through specific or tailored intelligence . Use and efficiency . United States . The past decade has seen U . S . national security strategy rely on special operations to an unprecedented degree . Identifying , hunting , and killing terrorists have become a central pillar in the Global War on Terrorism ( GWOT ) . Linda Robinson , Adjunct Senior Fellow for U . S . National Security and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations , argues that the organizational structure has become flatter and cooperation with the intelligence community is stronger , allowing special operations to move at the “ speed of war . ” Special Operations appropriations are costly : Its budget has gone from $ 2 . 3 billion in 2001 to $ 10 . 5 billion in 2012 . Some experts argue the investment is worthwhile , pointing to the raid in May 2011 that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad , Pakistan . Others claim that the emphasis on Special Operations precipitates a misconception that it is a substitute for prolonged conflict . “ Raids and drone strikes are tactics that are rarely decisive and often incur significant political and diplomatic costs for the United States . Although raids and drone strikes are necessary to disrupt dire and imminent threats … special operations leaders readily admit that they should not be the central pillar of U . S . military strategy . ” Instead , Special Operations commanders have stated that grand strategy should include their “ indirect approach , ” which means working non - U . S . partners to accomplish security objectives . “ Special Operations forces forge relationships that can last for decades with a diverse collection of groups : training , advising , and operation alongside other countries ’ militaries , police forces , tribes , militias or other information groups . ” Special operations forces . " Special operations forces " ( SOF ) is a term primarily used in the West . It is an “ all encompassing ” term that defines a nation ’ s specialized units . The term “ special forces ” is age old and used by countries around the world to describe their specialized unit ( s ) . In the United States Army , SOF includes Special Forces ( ‘ Green Berets ’ ) , Rangers , Civil Affairs , MISO ( Military Information Support Operations ) and Special Operations Aviation units under the umbrella of the United States Army Special Operations Command . Examples of special operations include : special reconnaissance / military intelligence , unconventional warfare , and counter - terrorism actions . Special operations are sometimes associated with unconventional warfare , counter - insurgency ( operations against insurgents ) , operations against guerrillas or irregular forces , low - intensity operations , and foreign internal defense . Special operations may be carried out by conventional forces but are often carried out by special operations forces ( SOF ) , which are military unit s that are highly - trained and use special equipment , weapons , and tactics . They are sometimes referred to as " elite " forces , commandos , and special operators .