This official US Military Manual has been acquired directly from The US Government Printing Office (USGPO). 257 pages, Soft Cover, illustrated. This manual provides guidance in special forces and unconventional warfare operations. The basic concepts of unconventional warfare are presented in a manner designed to acquaint the reader with special forces organization, concepts and methods of operation.

Unconventional warfare consists of the interrelated fields of guerrilla warfare, evasion and escape and subversion against hostile states (resistance).

Unconventional warfare operations are conducted in enemy or enemy controlled territory by predominately indigenous personnel usually supported and directed in varying degrees by an external source.

Special operations are forces that fight unconventional battles that ordinary line infantry is incapable of. It requires a special type of warrior, a professional soldier who is intelligent, dedicated, and motivated. Special operators in these teams usually undergo a grueling selection phase followed by intense training. Missions range from patrolling and sabotage behind enemy lines to training foreign forces in soldiering and tactics. In the U.S., there are six primary SOF activities listed.

DA-Direct Action
SR-Strategic Reconnaisance
UW-Unconventional Warfare
FID-Foreign Internal Defense
CA-Civil Affairs
PSYOPS-Psychological Operations

In addition to their obvious military value, Special Forces can provide a psychological one as well. The fear of having such units operating behind their lines can cause many commanders to tie up large numbers of forces in a counter-guerilla type operation instead of fighting at the front and adding their strength to the regular forces. This Army Field manual is essential reading. It covers such areas as:

Counterintelligence
Discipline
Cover and deception
Logistics
Unconventional warfare
Offensive combat operations