Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Special Operations Manual PDF
Special Operations Manual PDF
Role Playing U.S. Special Operations Military Soldiers in the modern era
A Monograph for the Basic RolePlaying System by Chaosium Inc.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the
author or publisher.
1
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence
on those who would do us harm.
This book is dedicated to the proud men and women of the U.S. Military
2
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4
ARMY RANGERS 6
NAVY SEALS 10
NAVY DEVGRU 16
CIA S.O.G. 22
SKILLS 28
OFFICER SCHOOL 30
ARMOR 31
EQUIPMENT 32
WEAPONS 33
CHARACTER SHEET - 34
MISSION BRIEFINGS 36
SCENARIO SEEDS - 39
RECOMMENDED READING 46
RECOMMENDED VIEWING 47
3
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Special Operations soldiers are a unique the most realistic way possible within the
breed. Determined, highly intelligent and confines of the BRP system.
specially trained problem solvers who train This supplement is intended for an action
constantly to risk their lives protecting oriented campaign where the extra weapons
citizens who will never know who they are. and combat skills will be not only desirable
These brave men, known as Operators do but essential. The characters outlined here
not expect parades for their service, in fact, should be far above normal human
they know that, should the worst happen, not characters in almost every aspect, combining
even their loved ones will be given details of the physical prowess of Olympic level
their final mission. This selfless sense of athletes and the problem solving and critical
duty is only a small part of what makes thinking skills of a private investigator or a
these operators special. competitive chess player.
Specifically, this manual is set in the modern
Unconventional warfare is a term that is era, real world setting. However, it is
often associated with what the Special perfectly suitable to apply these characters
Operations Soldier is designed for but what to a horror, sci-fi, or super hero or any other
exactly does that cover? Essentially, these campaign from the Viet Nam war to a near
operators specialize in all forms of warfare future or alternate reality setting.
not covered by the standard definition of Another, less obvious benefit of using this
war, which is a pretty wide umbrella. supplement for your campaign is that it
Small teams of highly trained experts solves the age old keeper problem of
covertly operating behind enemy lines with why?
little to no support is what most of us think Why are these characters working together,
of when we imagine a special operations why are they going on this mission, why are
mission, however this is only a small they continuing on despite heavy opposition
fraction of the actual duties and and extremely dangerous odds? Because it is
responsibilities that these soldiers perform. not only their jobs, but their sworn duty.
Training military forces of other countries,
establishing infrastructure in war torn third The starting funds and weapons and
world areas, relief missions to natural equipment selection process from standard
disaster stricken nations are only a few of BRP character creation is all but eliminated
the many benign services that they with Special Operations characters as the
perform. Direct action against enemy forces, weapons, ammo and equipment are mission
overtaking strategic locations such as specific and assigned by the commanding
runways and hospitals, intelligence unit.
gathering, hostage rescue, counter
intelligence and counter terrorism efforts are The Special Operations Keeper can opt to
more of the active duties that these highly choose the specific team that the players
skilled soldiers are capable of. must be a part of (i.e. all players are SEALs)
and then let them create their individual
The purpose of the Special Operations characters each with their own specialties
Manual for Chaosiums Basic Role Playing (machine guns, explosives, tactics etc.), or
system is to provide keepers and players the the Keeper may allow the players to choose
opportunity to utilize these extreme soldiers whichever type of operative they like, and
in any situation they can imagine. This then have them all work together as a part of
manual will provide all of the details and a Special Mission Unit such as the real
information needed to include Operators in world Task Force 145 which featured
4
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
members of every branch of the Special Included in the Special Operations Manual
Operations community as well as British and are the major and most commonly known
Canadian special forces troops. types of Special Operations soldiers,
Alternatively, the keeper may have each however many other types of operators exist
player create whatever type of operator he within the Special Operations community.
chooses, and then have all of the players be The keeper is encouraged to research these
contractors for a Private Military Company. other specialties and utilize them as non
player characters or even player characters.
Scenario fodder for Special Operations Most of these specific roles are equally
abounds on the 24 hour news networks and Special Operations qualified and are fluent
newspapers as well as books movies and in the use of tactics weapons and
television shows all around. Keepers may unconventional warfare.
choose to run individual scenarios as Air Force Combat Controllers - go behind
isolated missions starting with the players enemy lines to coordinate air traffic and fire
boarding the C-130 or helicopter, and support.
ending with returning to base for mission 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
debriefing, such as Operation Gothic - provide helicopter support and
Serpent (Blackhawk Down) which took transportation for the special operations
place over one very intense day with 19 soldiers
Special Operations soldiers killed and over Air Force Special Operations Weathermen -
1000 Somali deaths, or campaigns with give detailed meteorological intel from the
extended linked scenarios with a broader combat zone for incoming air support.
mission, such as being deployed to Army Intelligence Support Activity - gather
Afghanistan for an 18 month tour of intel intel by working as translators and using
gathering and searching for high value technology.
targets. Navy Special Warfare Combatant-craft
. Crewmen - provide support via a variety of
The origin of the Special Operations Manual small boat transportation to special
dates back many years playing Chaosium operations units.
Incs Call of Cthulhu game where the The Coast Guard Deployable Operations
recurring complaint by players was that the Group - provide anti-piracy boarding teams
standard librarian and college professor as well as rescue and relief efforts
character classes werent powerful enough worldwide
to adequately combat the Mythos. Wanting Marine Corps Force Recon - provides deep
characters with more advanced weapon and reconnaissance information from deep
combat training as well as heavier within hostile territory.
firepower, the idea of playing Special
Operations soldiers came about, giving the
players the opportunity to prove that no
amount of firepower is ever enough vs. the
Mythos.
5
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Specialty:
The Regiment is composed of light infantry
forces with specialized skills that enable
them to perform a variety of special
operations missions airborne, air assault,
and direct action operations, raids,
infiltration and exfiltration by air, land or
sea in addition to airfield seizure, recovery
of personnel and special equipment, and
support of conventional forces. Each Ranger
battalion has the ability to deploy worldwide
in 18 hours
Training/Recruiting:
Basic Training and Advanced Individual
Training (14 weeks), Air Assault School
(10 days), Basic Airborne Course (3
weeks), Army Ranger School (61 days),
First Responder Medical Training (1 week),
Warrior Leader Course (2 weeks)
Unit Highlights
75th Army Ranger Regiment From the period before the establishment of
Established: the United States of America through the
The 1st and 2nd battalions were activated in Revolutionary War, 1812, Civil War, Korea,
1974 and the 3rd battalion activated in 1984. World War II and the Vietnam Era Rangers
have been part of the US Army. The modern
Organization /Bases: Rangers were established in the wake of the
Headquarters, 3rd Battalion and the Vietnam War when General Creighton
Regimental Special Troops Battalion located Abrams formed the first Battalion (Ranger)
at Fort Benning, Georgia., 1st Battalion at 75th Infantry in 1974. The Rangers
Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, participated in Operation Urgent Fury, the
Georgia.; 2nd Battalion at Joint Base US invasion of Grenada seizing the Port
Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash. Salinas Airfield and rescuing American
Medical Students at the True Blue Medical
Troop strength: Campus. In 1989 the Rangers took part in
Each battalion is composed of a Operation Just Cause in Panama seizing
Headquarters and Headquarters Command several key airfields, taking General Noriega
(HHC) and three rifle companies. Battalions beach house and neutralizing elements of the
are made up of no more than 580 Rangers: Panamanian Defense Forces.
Each rifle company consists of 152 riflemen,
and the remaining Rangers make up the fire
support and headquarters staff.
6
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Elements of the Rangers were deployed to Army Rangers have the following minimum
Saudi Arabia to support operation Desert characteristic requirements in order to meet
Storm in 1990/91. In 1993 Rangers and First the standards of Ranger school.
Special Forces Operational Detachment
Delta took part in operation Gothic Serpent STR 11 CON 11 INT 11 POW 10 DEX 11
in Mogadishu Somalia. The daylight raid EDU 12
resulted in an 18-hour firefight with Somali
militia. The Rangers and Delta suffered 18 Occupational Skill Points = EDUx25
killed and most of the force wounded while
estimated Somali losses range from 600 to Occupational Skills:
1200 dead. This battle was the largest urban Climb, Command, First Aid, Handgun,
combat operation since the Vietnam War. Hide, Martial Arts, Navigate, Parachuting,
Rifle, Status, Stealth, Spot, Submachine
Rangers took part in peacekeeping Gun, Survival: Desert, Woodland, Cold
operations in Kosovo in 2000 and then less Weather, Strategy, Throw, Track. Plus one
than a month after the September 11 2001 of the following as personal specialty:
attacks, Rangers took part in an airborne Demolition, Electronics, Machine Gun,
assault in Afghanistan to take Objective Medicine, Heavy Weapons
Rhino in Kandahar in the opening
maneuvers in Operation Enduring Freedom.
At the start of the Invasion of Iraq in March
2003 Rangers took part in the first airborne
assault on Objective Serpent in Iraq.
7
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
8
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
9
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Troop strength: Approximately 1000 All Marine special operators are required to
undergo continual language training.
Specialty: Direct action, special However, based on ability, certain Marines
reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, will be sent to follow-on language training
counter terrorism. at an Advanced Linguistics Course.
Phase 1 trains and evaluates the basic skill Marine special operators also attend U.S.
sets required of all special operators. Army Airborne School and the USMC
Physical fitness, swimming and hand-to- Combatant Diver Course.
hand combat are stressed in a PT program
designed around endurance, functional
fitness and amphibious training, field skills
12
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
13
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Training:
Operator Training Course tests Delta
recruits and is around 6 months long.
Members are trained in a number of
different skill sets including:
Marksmanship
The students shoot stationary targets at close
range until they are able to have almost
complete accuracy. They will then move on
to moving targets. Once shooting skills are
perfected, they will move to a shooting
Army 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) house where they will clear rooms of
"enemy" targets.
Established: October 1977
Demolitions
Organization /Base: Fort Bragg, North Students learn how to break into many
Carolina different locks such as cars and safes.
Demolition and how to build bombs out of
Delta Force was reportedly organized into 3 various commonly found materials.
operating squadrons (A, B, and C), which
were subdivided into small groups known as Combined skills. The FBI, FAA, and other
troops. By the end of 12 Delta will have agencies were used to advise the training of
established a fourth squadron to cope with this portion of OTC.
the high operational tempo of the Global
War on Terror. Delta also maintained All trainees learn to set sniper positions.
support units, which handle selection and Although Delta has specialized sniper
training, logistics, finance, and the unit's troops, all members go through this training.
medical requirements.
Trade Craft During the first OTC's and
These squadrons are based on the creation of Delta, CIA personnel were used
organization of the SAS "Saber Squadron" to teach this portion. Students learn
and each contains 75 to 85 operators. Each different espionage-related skills such as
saber squadron is broken down into three dead drops, brief encounters, pickups, load
troops, one recce/sniper troop, and two and unload signals, danger and safe signals,
direct action/assault troops, that can operate surveillance and counter-surveillance.
either in teams or in groups as small as four
to six men. Executive Protection Students take an
advanced driving course learning how to use
Troop strength: approximately 800 to 1000 vehicles as defensive and offensive
weapons. They then learn techniques
developed by the Secret Service and
14
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Established: November 1980 Like all Special Operations Forces units that
have an extremely intensive and high-risk
Organization /Bases: Dam Neck Annex, training schedule, there can be serious
Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia injuries and deaths. DEVGRU has lost
several operators during training, including
NSWDG is divided into color-coded line parachute accidents and close-quarters battle
Teams, which are commanded by senior training accidents. It is presumed that the
officers: Red Team (Assault), Blue Team unit's assessment process for potential new
(Assault), Gold Team (Premier Team) and a recruits is different from what a SEAL
Silver Team (Assault) established in 2012. operator experienced in his previous career,
There is a Gray Team (Boat Crews) and a and much of the training tests the candidate's
Black Team (Reconnaissance and mental capacity rather than his physical
Surveillance Team). Each Team of 50-75 condition, as he will have already completed
men is divided into three troops with Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL
approximately 16 men each and troops are training.
divided into smaller teams as needed
according to the operational requirements. Candidates are put through a variety of
advanced training courses led by civilian or
Troop strength: approx 200-400 operators military instructors. These can include free-
as well as admin and support staff climbing, advanced unarmed combat
techniques, defensive and offensive driving,
Specialty: When DEVGRU was created, it
advanced diving, and Survival, Evasion,
was devoted exclusively to counter-
Resistance and Escape (SERE) training. All
terrorism with a worldwide maritime
candidates must perform at the top level
responsibility; its objectives typically
during selection, and the unit instructors
included targets such as ships, oilrigs, naval
evaluate the candidate during the training
bases, coastal embassies, and other civilian
process. Selected candidates are assigned to
or military bases that were accessible from
one of the Tactical Development and
the sea or inland waterways. As the
Evaluation Squadrons; the others are
organization has evolved, new missions
have developed, counter-terrorist operations,
returned to their previous units. Unlike the
primarily in the maritime environment,
other regular SEAL Teams, DEVGRU
16
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
operators were able to go to almost any of carried DEVGRU operators and paramilitary
the best schools anywhere and train operatives from the CIA's Special Activities
depending on the unit's requirements. Division. The raid force killed Bin Laden,
an adult son, an unknown woman, 2 couriers
Unit Highlights: and collected vast amounts of intelligence
While the organizations name has changed from the location before the team departed.
since its founding in 1980, the Naval
Warfare Development Group has maintained Later that year members of DEVGRU were
the highest standards for a special operations among the 38 killed on Saturday, 6 August
capable unit in the US and the world. Unlike 2011 in Maidan Wardak province,
the plethora of open source material on other Afghanistan, when a CH-47 was shot down
units in the US special operations by a Taliban-fired rocket-propelled grenade.
community the DEVGRU and Deltas The team members were acting as a quick
history is shrouded in secrecy and reaction force, it was the largest single loss
speculation. From its inception in the early of U.S. life since the beginning of the 2001
1980s operations, classified operations have Afghan War, and is the largest single loss
been planned and executed all over the ever suffered by the SEALs or DEVGRU.
world. DEVGRU also took part in training
other elite units around the world, as well as The following are DEVGRU minimum
training with these units as well. In 1991, characteristics.
DEVGRU reportedly recovered Haitian STR 11 DEX 12 INT 12 CON 12 POW 13
President Jean Bertrand Aristide under cover EDU 14
of darkness following the coup that deposed
him. The unit reportedly deployed to Occupational Skill Points = EDU x 35
Atlanta, Georgia as part of a large US Personal Interest Points = INT x 10
counter-terrorist contingency plan for the
1996 Summer Olympics. Occupational Skills:
Climb, Conceal, Demolitions, Hide, First
During NATO's intervention in the Bosnian Aid, Handgun, Martial Arts, Navigate, Other
War in the 1990s, the DEVGRU operated Language, Parachuting, Photography, Pilot:
alongside other members of NATOs Boat, Rifle, Sneak, Spot Hidden,
Implementation Force, such as its Army Submachine Gun, Survival: Desert,
counterpart Delta Force and the British SAS. Woodland, Cold Weather, Swim, Strategy,
These units were tasked with finding and Throw, Track. Plus one of the following as
apprehending persons indicted for war personal specialty: Electronics, Machine
crimes and returning them to The Hague to Gun, Medicine, Heavy Weapons
stand trial.
17
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Training:
With a 90% drop out rate, its obvious why
the 18 to 24 month long PJ training pipeline
is called Superman School. The
indoctrination course will start with 80 to
100 applicants but do to the small size of the
Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) PJ program, the maximum graduates
allowed is 8. There is no graduation
Established March 1946 qualification, just increasingly difficult
challenges until all but 8 have dropped out.
Organization /Bases Those resilient 8 airmen will go on to the
rest of the PJ training pipeline.
Active duty Units
720th & 23rd STG, Hurlburt Field, Florida, Pararescue Indoctrination Course 9 weeks,
24th STS, Pope AFB, North Carolina Lackland AFB, TX
320th STS, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Army Airborne Parachutist School 3 weeks,
321st STS, RAF Mildenhall, United Fort Benning, GA
Kingdom ,Kirtland AFB, New Mexico , Air Force Combat Divers School 5.5 weeks,
Lackland AFB, Texas , 31st RQS, Kadena Panama City, FL
AB, Okinawa , 38th RQS, Moody AFB, Navy Underwater Egress Training
Georgia ,48th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB, 1 day, Pensacola NAS, FL
Arizona, 56th RQS, RAF Lakenheath, Air Force Basic Survival School 2.5 weeks,
United Kingdom , 58th RQS, Nellis AFB, Fairchild AFB, WA
Nevada, Army Military Freefall Parachutist School 5
weeks, Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ
Reserve Units Pararescue EMT-Paramedic
Training, Kirtland AFB, NM 22 weeks
103rd RQS, Suffolk County, NY (ANG) Pararescue Recovery Specialist
123rd STS, Louisville, KY (ANG) Course, Kirtland AFB, NM 24 weeks
131st RQS, Moffett Field, CA (ANG)
212nd RQS, Kulis ANGB, AK (ANG) Unit Highlights:
304th RQS, Portland, OR (AFRC) March17th 1966 saw one of the most
306th RQS, Monthan AFB, AZ (AFRC), dramatic events involving PJ scuba action at
308th RQS, Patrick AFB, FL (AFRC) the termination of the Gemini 8 space flight.
920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB When the decision was made to halt the
943rd Rescue Group, Monthan AFB, AZ mission due to difficulties encountered by
18
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
ERIS WORLDWIDE
Example Private Military Contractor
21
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Training:
The Special Activities Division consists of
the most elite of the United States special
mission units. Recruited from Delta Force
and DEVGRU, the Paramilitary Operations
Officers are then fully trained by the CIA as
Clandestine Intelligence Operatives or Case
Officers.
SAD recruits must possess at least a
Bachelors degree and many have masters
and law degrees. Candidates are sent to
Camp Peary Virginia, also known as the
Farm for the 12 month long Clandestine
Service Trainee program. Here they are
CIA Special Activities Division (SAD) trained to a high level of proficiency in the
use and tactical employment of an unusually
Organization: wide degree of modern weaponry, explosive
SAD is organized into several sections: devices and firearms (foreign and domestic),
Ground Branch operatives are experts in hand to hand combat, high performance
field craft, surveillance, small arms, hostage driving (on and off road), apprehension
rescue, CQB and advanced driving. avoidance (including picking handcuffs and
escaping from confinement), improvised
Maritime Branch's focus is on amphibious explosive devices, Military Free Fall
operations parachuting, combat and commercial
SCUBA and closed circuit diving,
Air Branch is tasked with flying everything proficiency in foreign languages, entry
from small light aircraft to large transport operations and vehicle hot-wiring, Survival,
planes. Roles of Air Branch include covert Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE),
insertion and extraction of CIA personnel, extreme survival and wilderness training,
covert transportation of sensitive cargo and combat EMS medical training, tactical
airborne surveillance / intelligence communications and tracking.
gathering, usually using aircraft registered to The SAD operative is fully trained and
front companies - seemingly legitimate equipped to operate in any environment
dummy corporations setup by the CIA. under any circumstance, completely
unassisted and deniable.
Troop strength:
Several hundred operators of various Unit Highlights:
specialties In October of 1950, SAD operatives
Specialty: organized and trained Tibetan resistance
Intelligence gathering, counter-intelligence, fighters against the invading Chinese and
hostage rescue, personnel and material assisted the Dalai Llamas escape to India.
recovery, bomb damage assessment, counter During the Korean War SAD operations
terrorism, raids, ambushes, sabotage, rescued American prisoners of war as well
kidnapping, targeted killings and other as provided training for South Korean
forms of unconventional warfare Guerrillas.
22
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
In 1953 SAD agents orchestrated the The Special Activities Division consists of
successful coupe dtat of Iranian Prime two separate groups, one for tactical
Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh paramilitary operations and another for
covert political action. The Political Action
1954 CIA SAD teams organized and trained
Group handles all covert activities related to
Guatemalan resistance fighters
political influence, psychological, economic
that deposed President Jacobo rbenz
warfare and cyberwarfare. A large covert
Guzmn.
operation usually has components that
In 1967 the Bolivian army was trained and involve many, or all, of these categories, as
assisted by SAD team members. Also well as paramilitary operations.
members of SAD and Special Forces team
The Special Operations Group within SAD
members tracked and captured Che Guevara.
is responsible for paramilitary operations.
Between 1968 and 1972, the CIA Phoenix These operations include the collection of
Program captured 81,740 National intelligence in hostile countries and regions,
Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF or and all high threat military or intelligence
Viet Cong) members, of whom 26,369 were operations with which the U.S.
killed. government does not wish to be overtly
In 1973 Operation Azorian recovered associated. As such, members of the unit
sunken Soviet submarine, K-129 with help (called Paramilitary Operations Officers and
from SAD members Specialized Skills Officers) normally do not
carry any objects or clothing (e.g., military
In 1979 SAD/SOG paramilitary teams were uniforms) that would associate them with
deployed to train and lead these forces the United States government. If they are
against the Sandinista government compromised during a mission, the
CIA paramilitary teams and U.S. Army government of the United States may deny
Special Forces set up and trained all knowledge.
counterinsurgency units during the The SAD/SOG is generally considered the
Salvadoran civil war in the early 1980s most secretive special operations force in the
SAD/SOG teams were key in working with United States. The group selects operatives
JSOC and tracking high value targets from Delta Force, DEVGRU, 24th STS and
(HVT), known as "Tier One Personalities." other special operations forces from within
Their efforts, working under extremely the U.S. military.
dangerous conditions with little to no All Special Operations Group Candidates
support, led to several very successful joint must meet the basic minimum requirments
JSOC/CIA operations in Somalia in the of either the Army 1 st SFOD-D or the Navy
early 1990s DEVGRU character templates and be made
In 2001, SAD units were the first U.S. as such. Then, if the following minimum
forces to enter Afghanistan following the characteristics are meet, they may be
9/11 attacks. recruited to SOG.
STR 11 DEX 12 INT 13 CON 12 POW 14
In 2011, SOG members working with SEAL EDU 15
Team 6 on Operation Neptune Spear raided Upon completion of training, the SOG
Osama bin Ladens compound in Abbottabad Operative will receive an additional INTx10
Pakistan. points to spend on the following skills.
Computer Use, Conceal, Disguise, Drive
Auto, Library Use, Locksmith and
Psychoanalysis
23
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
24
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Cervino" - a combination of elite mountain forces unit, any kind of matters regarding
infantry and airborne troops. The 4th is best acquisition of information on personnel,
suited for high-altitude operations. It training and weapons are forbidden since
inherits the name from the Battaglione they are highly classified.
Alpini Sciatori (Alpine Skiers Battalion)
"Monte Cervino", 185th Reconnaissance Jordan
Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore"
(RAO - Reggimento Acquisizione Obiettivi) Special Operation Forces of the Jordanian
- its mission is to find and mark enemy Armed Forces were founded in 1963 on the
objectives for bombers or artillery units. The orders of the late King Hussein. In the early
regiment is divided into four batteries 1970s, Jordan's Special Forces were
(BAOs), trained to operate in different developed and assigned the tasks of
environments: 1st "Draghi" (Dragons) - reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, search
desert environment;2nd "Aquile" (Eagles) and evacuation, combat, and the protection
mountainous and Arctic environment;3rd of key sites. The Special Forces have also
"Diavoli" (Devils) amphibious environment; been charged with precision missions
4th for "special reconnaissance" and including the targeting of military convoys
surveillance. and the cutting off of enemy supply lines
and communications. Members are equipped
Japan and trained to be able to operate behind
enemy lines for long periods without any
Japanese Special Forces Group is the logistical support. Currently the Special
Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Forces branch consists of two specially
counter-terrorist unit established by the trained battalions (71 and 101), and two
former Japanese Defense Agency to counter paratroop battalions (81 and 91). Attached to
terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style them several special operations units,
attacks on Japanese soil and to conduct equipped with advanced equipment to make
military operations, against guerrillas or them as mobile as possible.
enemy commandos. The unit is based in
Narashino, Chiba garrison in Funabashi,
Chiba with the 1st Airborne Brigade. The ROK (South Korea)
SFGp has been referred to as Japan's Delta
Force, due to their specialized role in the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare
Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. Delta Command or Republic of Korea Black Beret
Force personnel had been responsible for Commandos is the military command of the
assisting the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Republic of Korea Army responsible for
Force in raising the SFGp's foundations their special operation forces. It consists of 7
prior to its establishment. brigades, and its main tasks include
conducting reconnaissance and other tasks,
Special Boarding Unit is a special forces mostly behind enemy lines.
unit established by the Japanese Maritime
Self-Defense Forces on March 27, 2001 in New Zealand
response to a previous spy ship incursion
that occurred on the Noto Peninsula in 1999. The New Zealand Special Air Service (NZ
The unit was created to perform similar SAS) was formed on 7 July 1955 and is a
roles to those undertaken by American Navy special forces unit of the New Zealand
SEALs and the British SBS. Their field Army modeled on the British Special Air
involves maritime anti-terrorist duties, Service (SAS). The New Zealand
including operations where arms are known Government states that NZ SAS is the
to be involved. Since the SBU is a special "premier combat unit of the New Zealand
26
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Defense Force". Its key roles are to infiltration/insertion behind enemy lines
undertake overseas missions and respond to (either in uniform or civilian clothing),
domestic terrorist attacks. The New Zealand usually well before hostilities are scheduled
SAS is held in high regard internationally, as to begin and, once in place, to commit acts
demonstrated by the United States of and the assassination of key government
Presidential Citation which was awarded to leaders and military officers.
the NZSAS on 7 December 2004.
South Africa
Poland
GROM (full name: Polish: Grupa South African Special Forces Brigade
Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego (popularly known as "Recces") is the only
Special Forces unit of the South African
(Operational Mobile Reaction Group); the
acronym itself means thunder. It was National Defense Force (SANDF). On
October 1, 1972, 1 Reconnaissance
officially activated on July 8, 1990. It can be
and is deployed in a variety of special Commando was created at Oudtshoorn,
South Africa. It was relocated a few years
operations and unconventional warfare
roles, including anti-terrorist actions and later to Durban, South Africa. This was the
first South African Special Forces unit. The
projection of power behind enemy lines.
South African special forces played a
Russia significant role in the country's 30 year long
border war in Namibia and Angola. South
Spetsnaz is an umbrella term for any special African Special Forces now consists of
forces in Russian, literally "special purpose Special Forces Headquarters in Pretoria, a
forces". The term can specifically refer to Special Forces Regiment in Langebaan, a
any elite or special purpose units under the Special Forces Regiment in Phalaborwa and
command of the Federal Security Service the Special Forces School in Murrayhill.
(FSB), Internal Troops of Russian Ministry The Brigade is not a part of the South
of Internal Affairs, and the units controlled African Army; it is directly under the
by the military intelligence service GRU. command of the Joint Operations Division
of the SANDF.
Currently, the term is also used to describe
any special purpose units or task forces of
other ministries (even the Emergency
Situations Ministry special rescue unit).
Foreign special forces are also commonly
referred to as Spetsnaz on Russian
television, with US special forces referred to
as "American Spetsnaz" for example.
Spetsnaz specialists have trained the
Republican Guard of Syria, Angola, Cuba,
Vietnam and Ethiopia and have been
involved in training other special forces
units across the world.
Command (05%)
Squad leaders to Commanding Officers rely
upon this skill to effectively lead, inspire
and direct subordinate troops through tasks
as mundane as cleaning barracks to complex
strategic assaults on enemy compounds.
Successful leaders will have Command at no
less than 25% to be even remotely effective.
Demolition (01%)
This skill also includes knowledge of fuses,
timing cord, electrical detonators,
improvised explosives, plastic explosives, Martial Arts Hand to Hand (01%)
and det-cord as well as weather and safety Military hand to hand combat training is its
considerations. own martial art style that utilizes Brawl,
Massive amounts of explosives always Grapple and Melee skills. Incorporating
disrupt a target, but precise demolition work throws and submission holds from Judo,
can be complex. To collapse any sort of punches and kicks from Thai kickboxing,
large civil or military structure such as an knife fighting and using the rifle as a melee
office building, a bunker, a highway bridge, weapon.
or a dam, the initial chance for success is
half of the blaster's Explosives skill (round Parachuting (01%)
up to the next whole number). For second In the present day, parachuting is a widely
and later attempts to demolish the same practiced sport. The aerofoil design of
structure, the skill-holder has had the modern parachutes and their adjustable air
opportunity to see how the structure reacts: flow gives the parachutist considerable
now the chance is the blaster's full control over speed and range-depending on
Explosives skill. If a demolition team has height of insertion and wind conditions,
the plans of the structure, and plenty of time military parasail models can move a
to lay the charges, allow the blaster's full parachutist and quite a bit of equipment for
Explosives skill. 15- 20 lateral miles. Minimum height to
28
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
engage a chute is about 150 feet, depending Use this skill during a combat situation to
on the actual design. With a little practice, a help the player determine the best plan of
modern parachutist can steer precisely and attack for the team. When the players are at
touch ground almost at stall speed, almost a a loss for a strategy, they may request a
walk, usually not leaving his or her feet. Strategy roll by the team leader (highest
Higher skill levels represent advanced ranking character present). Once the roll is
parachuting techniques such as HALO made the keeper makes a suggestion based
(High Altitude, Low Opening). on how well the roll is made. The better the
roll, the better the suggestion made by the
Status (15%) keeper.
Status is used within the military as a
designation of rank which includes pay scale
as well as authority.
Status scores in the 15% to 29% range are
enlisted men, E-1 to E-4 in pay grade. These
are usually young soldiers with little to no
combat experience. 30% to 49% would be
Non-Commissioned Officers E-5 to E-9 in
pay grade. These are usually older, battle
hardened soldiers. Scores of 50% and above
would include Officers and Warrant
Officers.
A soldier with Status at 25% would hold a Survival (Type) (01%)
leadership position within the group, such as Characters with this skill know the
Assistant Squad Leader. A Status score of fundamentals of surviving in extreme
30% or better would be a Non- climates and locations. Each type of survival
Commissioned Officer (NCO). This player is listed as an individual skill. Examples of
would typically be tasked as the Squad types of Survival include Desert, Arctic,
leader in the absence of any Officer Ocean and Woodland. Making shelter,
characters or the Assistant Squad Leader safety techniques, hunting, and food
under an Officer character. Status at 50% preparation are just a few of the details
and above would be Officers and Warrant involved in basic survival. Do not roll for
Officers who have completed specialized this skill unless factors important to survival
leadership school. are missing.
Strategy (01%)
This skill represents the general knowledge
of military small unit strategy. The Strategy
skill is also the ability to know how to
organize and mobilize the rest of the team
for the most effective results. While all
soldiers are trained in the very basic combat
formations and situational strategies, the
soldier with points in Strategy has a more
thorough understanding of how to react to
various situations as a team and minimize
casualties.
29
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
30
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
31
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
33
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
34
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
35
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
MISSION BRIEFINGS
Special Delivery The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
The players have been assigned to escort an This scenario assumes that the players are
Air Force C-17 to McMurdo Station in members of DEVGRU; however they could
Antarctica while it delivers supplies and also be any type of Special Operations team
personnel and picks up outbound cargo and the keeper chooses with little to no
personnel. Recent expeditions to the interior modification.
of the continent have returned with A distress call from the deep water drilling
biological samples to be examined further platform Copernicus II, owned by the
by research scientists at the Los Alamos PetroGlobal oil company based in Houston
National Laboratory in New Mexico. The Texas, was received by the US Coast Guard.
trip there is an uneventful flight in a cargo The transmission was so garbled however
plane with the barest of amenities. Upon that it is unclear what the exact nature of the
arrival at McMurdo Station, the team is distress is. Satellite imagery shows extreme
introduced to the expedition scientists who storms in the area of the South Pacific where
tell them only that the two crates in the Copernicus II is located. The distress call
question, nearly 10 x 6 x 6 each, are to be would have launched a rescue mission by
guarded at all costs and that the contents are the coast guard, the sound of gunfire in the
frozen biological samples discovered deep background and the lack of response from
within the continent. All other details are on subsequent calls has turned this into a
a need to know basis. possible terrorist attack.
The team is housed in a barracks overnight The team will be delivered via Coast Guard
while the C-17 is loaded and prepped for the cutter to a location approximately 2 nautical
return trip. Once the cargo, crew and team miles away from the Copernicus II. There
are loaded and ready, the long trip home they will take a rigid hull inflatable to the oil
begins. rig.
Several hours into the flight, somewhere The stormy sea tosses the team as they
over the Pacific Ocean, the contents of the attempt to approach the platform. Swells
crates begin to stir. toss the raft and a failed Pilot Boat roll
results in team members who fail luck rolls
being tossed in the ocean. Swim rolls to stay
afloat in the turmoil and make way to the
ladder on the leg of the platform.
The Copernicus II houses 15 crewmembers
year round. Quarterly shipments deliver
supplies and rotate crewmembers.
Seven well armed members of the eco-
terrorist organization Mother Ocean
Movement have taken the crew hostage and
have planted explosives on the oil rig.
36
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
37
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
38
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Scenario Seeds
Shorter Mission Ideas for Keepers
Army Rangers taking a Latin American air Air Force PJs must rescue downed spy
field at the start of an invasion plane pilot behind enemy lines
Rangers/Delta Force mission to capture high Private Military Contractors must protect
level person of interest in Somalia celebrity on tour
Special Forces training mission goes badly SEAL team mission to recover US satellite
in Latin America that splashed down in hostile waters
Seal Team 6 retaking a freighter ship held SOG team sent to encourage Caribbean
by pirates despot to relinquish control
MARSOC Silent recon of enemy coast in Army Rangers provide additional security
advance of an invasion during newly democratized countries first
election
Army Rangers / Special Forces jump in to
extract prisoner/ Hostage in a desolate area Special Forces team must stop African
warlord from stealing relief supplies
Special Forces team must restore rightful
ruler to throne in western Africa Private Military Contractors hired to provide
additional support for Central American
Special Forces Training team caught in a rebel forces
natural disaster.
Army Rangers must rescue archeologists
Delta Force must rescue the hostages on a caught in border clash in Sudan
hijacked airliner
Delta Force team sent to recover missing
Delta Force/SEAL TEAM 6 must retake a artifacts stolen from museum during conflict
captured embassy
Army Rangers on relief mission to natural
Special Forces conduct guerilla ops with disaster torn Middle Eastern country
rebel forces in country. encounter resistance from locals
SEALs must take back American warship SOG team must capture and interrogate
that has had a mutiny onboard. possible high ranking terrorist hiding in
Central Europe
Army Rangers respond to natural disaster in
the US Inserted deep behind enemy lines,
MARSOC team must gather intel on enemy
Special Forces assist Latin American forces and equipment
government in taking down a drug king pin.
39
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
GORDON, GARY I.
Rank: Master Sergeant well aware of the growing number of enemy
Organization: U.S. Army personnel closing in on the site. After his
Company: third request to be inserted, Master Sergeant
Division: Gordon received permission to perform his
Born: Lincoln, Maine volunteer mission. When debris and enemy
Departed: Yes (10/03/1993) ground fires at the site caused them to abort
Entered Service At: the first attempt, Master Sergeant Gordon
G.O. Number: was inserted one hundred meters south of
Date of Issue: the crash site. Equipped with only his sniper
Accredited To: rifle and a pistol, Master Sergeant Gordon
Place / Date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, and his fellow sniper, while under intense
Somalia small arms fire from the enemy, fought their
way through a dense maze of shanties and
shacks to reach the critically injured crew
members. Master Sergeant Gordon
immediately pulled the pilot and the other
crew members from the aircraft, establishing
a perimeter which placed him and his fellow
sniper in the most vulnerable position.
Master Sergeant Gordon used his long range
rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined
number of attackers until he depleted his
ammunition. Master Sergeant Gordon then
went back to the wreckage, recovering some
of the crew's weapons and ammunition.
Citation Despite the fact that he was critically low on
Master Sergeant Gordon, United States ammunition, he provided some of it to the
Army, distinguished himself by actions dazed pilot and then radioed for help. Master
above and beyond the call of duty on 3 Sergeant Gordon continued to travel the
October 1993, while serving as Sniper Team perimeter, protecting the downed crew.
Leader, United States Army Special After his team member was fatally wounded
Operations Command with Task Force and his own rifle ammunition exhausted,
Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. Master Master Sergeant Gordon returned to the
Sergeant Gordon's sniper team provided wreckage, recovering a rifle with the last
precision fires from the lead helicopter five rounds of ammunition and gave it to the
during an assault and at two helicopter crash pilot with the words, "good luck." Then,
sites, while subjected to intense automatic armed only with his pistol, Master Sergeant
weapons and rocket propelled grenade fires. Gordon continued to fight until he was
When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that fatally wounded. His actions saved the
ground forces were not immediately pilot's life. Master Sergeant Gordon's
available to secure the second crash site, he extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty
and another sniper unhesitatingly were in keeping with the highest standards
volunteered to be inserted to protect the four of military service and reflect great credit
critically wounded personnel, despite being upon him, his unit and the United States
Army.
40
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call
of duty as automatic weapons gunner for
Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian
Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a
member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi
Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked
with providing early warning and stand-off
protection from a rooftop in an insurgent
held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer
Monsoor distinguished himself by his
exceptional bravery in the face of grave
danger. In the early morning, insurgents
prepared to execute a coordinated attack by
reconnoitering the area around the elements
43
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
MILLER, ROBERT J.
Rank: Staff Sergeant command, enabling effective, accurate close
air support. Following the engagement, Staff
Organization: U.S. Army Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to
Company: Special Forces Operational conduct a battle damage assessment. As the
Detachment Alpha 3312 group neared the small, steep, narrow valley
Division: Special Operations Task Force 33 that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-
Born: 14 October 1983 coordinated insurgent force initiated a near
Departed: Yes ambush, assaulting from elevated positions
Entered Service At: Oviedo, Florida with ample cover. Exposed and with little
G.O. Number: available cover, the patrol was totally
Date of Issue: 10/06/2010 vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled
Accredited To: Florida grenades and automatic weapon fire. As
Place / Date: Konar Province, Afghanistan point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the
front of the patrol, cut off from supporting
elements, and less than 20 meters from
enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total
disregard for his own safety, he called for
his men to quickly move back to covered
positions as he charged the enemy over
exposed ground and under overwhelming
enemy fire in order to provide protective fire
for his team. While maneuvering to engage
the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in
his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he
continued to push the fight, moving to draw
Citation fire from over one hundred enemy fighters
Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by upon himself. He then again charged
extraordinary acts of heroism while serving forward through an open area in order to
as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces allow his teammates to safely reach cover.
Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, After killing at least 10 insurgents,
Special Operations Task Force-33, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly
Combined Joint Special Operations Task exposing himself to withering enemy fire
Force-Afghanistan during combat operations while moving from position to position,
against an armed enemy in Konar Province, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded
Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. While by enemy fire. His extraordinary valor
conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol ultimately saved the lives of seven members
through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff of his own team and 15 Afghanistan
Sergeant Miller and his small element of National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant
U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers Miller's heroism and selflessness above and
engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his
occupying prepared fighting positions. Staff own life, are in keeping with the highest
Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by traditions of military service and reflect
engaging the enemy positions with his great credit upon himself and the United
vehicle's turret-mounted Mark-19 40 States Army.
millimeter automatic grenade launcher while
simultaneously providing detailed
descriptions of the enemy positions to his
45
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
46
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
Recommended Viewing
Foreign Films
Air Force
Battle of Algiers 1966
Peacemaker 1997
The Beast 1988
Battle of Los Angeles 2011
Stalingrad 1993
Army
Downfall 2004
The Green Berets 1966
Wolves of Chechnya 2004
Apocalypse Now 1979
Saving Private Ryan 1998
Band Of Brothers 2001
Navy
GI Jane 1997
Behind Enemy Lines 2001
Tears of the Sun 2003
Marines
Heartbreak Ridge 1986
Jarhead 2005
Flags of Our Fathers 2006
Generation Kill 2008
Pacific 2010
47
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL
48