special forces
Covert military units
Special forces are elite military units trained for unconventional warfare, reconnaissance, counterterrorism, and other high-risk operations requiring specialized skills.
They operate in small teams with greater autonomy than regular troops: Navy SEALs are among the most famous U.S. special forces.
The term often implies secrecy and missions behind enemy lines.
Elite assault troops
- SEALsNaval special forces
- Green BeretsElite Army covert unit
- Delta ForceElite Army special missions unit
- RangersNamed teams, various sports
SAS · Spetsnaz · paratroopers · marines · snipers · airborne · infantry · operators
Covert entry into organization
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- extractionAct of removing
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
- hostage rescueFreeing people held against will
sabotage · raids · ambush · surveillance · direct action · unconventional warfare · intelligence gathering · assassination
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- silentProducing no sound
undetected · shadow · night operations · suppressed · black ops · undercover · disguise · evasion
Trained self-control or specialty
- valorCourage in danger
- eliteSuperior select group
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
courage · resilience · perseverance · dedication · loyalty · honor · secrecy · professionalism
Accuracy in shooting
- hand-to-handAt grappling distance
- demolitionsDeliberate structural destructions
- breachingBreaking through something
- navigationDetermining position and course
survival · parachuting · diving · sniping · fieldcraft · evasion · tracking · communications
commandos
Elite assault troops
- SEALsNaval special forces
- Green BeretsElite Army covert unit
- Delta ForceElite Army special missions unit
Rangers · SAS · Spetsnaz · paratroopers · marines · snipers · airborne · infantry · operators · tier one
infiltration
Covert entry into organization
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- extractionAct of removing
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
hostage rescue · sabotage · raids · ambush · surveillance · direct action · unconventional warfare · intelligence gathering · assassination · interdiction
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- concealmentAct of hiding something
silent · undetected · shadow · night operations · suppressed · black ops · undercover · disguise · evasion · ghillie suit
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- valorCourage in danger
- eliteSuperior select group
- brotherhoodKinship among men
sacrifice · courage · resilience · perseverance · dedication · loyalty · honor · secrecy · professionalism · adaptability
marksmanship
Accuracy in shooting
- hand-to-handAt grappling distance
- demolitionsDeliberate structural destructions
- breachingBreaking through something
navigation · survival · parachuting · diving · sniping · fieldcraft · evasion · tracking · communications · medical
- military personnelsoldiers, soldier, midshipmen, officers, troops
- anti-piracynaval patrol, naval patrols, escort mission, hostage rescue, warships
- Army Unitsinfantry battalion, cavalry regiment, infantry regiment, combat brigade, rifle company
- British militaryBritish Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, RAF, brigade
- Chinese MilitaryPeople's Liberation Army, ground force, military bases, military leaders, generals
- Elite Unitscommandos, Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Green Berets, elite squad
special forcesconventional forces
Traditional armed units
line infantry · regular army · conscript army · rear echelon · reserve forces
special, forces, specialist, specialty, specially, specialize, specialized, specialists, nonspecialist