One of the more handy distinctions I have come across is the
distinction made between Special Forces and Special Operating
Forces by Robin Neillands. Neillands was in 45 Commando in the
1950's, and has written a number of books about Special Forces
units since retiring.
In Neillands' definition, Special Forces covers units such as
SEALs, Green Berets and the SAS and SBS. Their tasks include
intelligence gathering, small scale raids, training indigenous
resistance movements and counter-terrorist operations. Special
Operating Forces, on the other hand, are large enough to handle
conventional infantry warfare, and are more defined by a specific
task, such as amphibious warfare for the US Marines, or airborne
operations for the Parachute Regiment or our Commandos.
From experience, I cannot really agree with LaserLordz's theory.
There were many members of my company who would have happily
volunteered to be there, only to find out that life in the
Commandos was not what they expected it to be - those were the ones
who were the least motivated. On the other hand, there were others
who were enlisted, went through the training and found that it grew
on them - some of these became Best Trainee at the various phases
of training. The leadership and environment provided by the
officers and senior NCOs also had a marked effect. One of my OCs,
when he first came aboard, addressed the company and said, "Despite
being NSF, you are meant to be as professional as any regulars in
the rest of the army. I will treat you as professionals and in turn
I expect you to act like professionals.". This OC was in fact
rotated to us from SOF simply to do his OC tour. Everybody kept
their end of the bargain, and things ran fine with a small handful
of exceptions.
One of these was with a fellow who came over from Infantry by his
own request. He had some grandiose ideas that it would be a big
gung-ho adventure, and when he found that the emphasis was instead
on professionalism, he lost interest. What ended up happening was
that he spent the rest of his six-year contract getting his arse
kicked by all and sundry for his poor attitude, and left as soon as
his contract was up.
