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Pineland Underground

The History of Special Forces; Origins, Misconceptions, and Facts | Dr. Sacquety returns!

Sep 30, 2024
Dr. Troy J. Sacquety, an expert in military history and the Army Special Operations Forces' Command Historian, joins the discussion on the fascinating evolution of Special Forces. He delves into the origins of key units like the OSS and Merrill's Marauders during WWII. The conversation uncovers surprising facts, such as the unconventional structure of early special operations and the controversial history of the green beret. Sacquety highlights the significance of historical contexts in shaping modern military strategies, emphasizing legacy and tradition.
01:08:30

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The origins of Special Forces were shaped by the unique challenges of World War II, emphasizing unconventional warfare and guerrilla tactics.
  • Key units like the OSS and the Alamo Scouts provided invaluable lessons in intelligence and operational effectiveness during WWII, influencing future strategies.

Deep dives

Origins of Special Forces

The foundations of Special Forces stemmed from the unique challenges faced during World War II, contrasting sharply with the conventional warfare seen in World War I. In World War II, the U.S. military sought to develop specialized units that could perform unconventional operations and engage in guerrilla warfare to buy time for force buildup. The British model of special units, already in practice, greatly influenced American military strategy. This led to the creation of various special units, including the first Special Service Force and the OSS, which was pivotal in establishing the capability for unconventional warfare.

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