Trending Topics

Welcome to the Trending Topics page of the Special Warfare Journal. Explore these articles to gain valuable insights into the current state of special operations, learn about innovative approaches and solutions to challenges in the field, and discover new perspectives and ideas that can help shape the future of ARSOF. Each article is readily accessible, and we trust that the knowledge and insights you gain from them will be invaluable in your professional and academic pursuits.

Loitering Munitions in Modern Combat: Addressing Tactical Gaps at the Small Unit Level 11/19/2025

A Special Forces officer argues that loitering munitions must be fielded organically at the SOF small-unit level — not reserved for upper echelons — examining gl...

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Perspectives: Optimizing Time and Task Prioritization for Special Forces Training and Education 9/2/2025

A Special Forces warrant officer warns that ballooning training requirements — from multi-domain operations to administrative burdens — are outpacing available t...

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Call for Feedback: Help Shape the Future of Civil Affairs 11/12/2025

The Civil Affairs Proponent at the Army Special Operations Center of Excellence is rebooting its lessons learned program — calling on CA operators to submit insi...

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Perspectives: 21st Century Hedgerow Problems 2/19/2026

Successful technology companies ruthlessly focus on how customers will use their products. Likewise, the best tool for senior leaders to determine where to inves...

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Transforming the ‘ARSOF Advantage’: Lines of Effort with Enhanced Mesh Network Technology 12/3/2025

This article explores how integrating the goTenna Pro X2 into ARSOF’s RAA/VAK enhances secure, off-grid communications, tracking, and partner force maneuver. The...

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Military Culture Shift: The Impact of War, Money, and Generational Perspective on Morale, Retention, and Leadership 11/20/2025

A book review examining how generational differences, 20 years of war, and cultural dynamics impact military leadership, morale, and retention, with practical gu...

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Getting Small: Institutionalizing Split-Team Operations for Large Scale Combat Operations 11/17/2025

Advocates for institutionalizing split-team operations as Special Forces' default approach for large-scale combat, emphasizing stealth, dispersion, and autonomy ...

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Special Warfare Drone Networks for the Modern Battlefield 11/17/2025

A Psychological Operations sergeant proposes deploying drone networks as transformational battlefield infrastructure, enabling U.S. forces to maintain connectivi...

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The Algebra of Irregular Warfare: A Planning Methodology for Transregional Operations 10/13/2025

SOF planners propose an algebraic framework for transregional irregular warfare, integrating capabilities, intelligence, access, authorities, and allies across c...

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From OSS to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces 2/11/2026

Aaron Bank is known as the father of Special Forces. He was the first Director of Special Forces and was the first Commander of 10th Special Forces Group when it...

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Transforming Dental Support to the U.S. Army Special Operations Center of Excellence 8/2/2025

Army dentists provide critical support to Special Operations Forces through clinical care, expeditionary missions, and medic training. This article proposes esta...

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Going Above and Beyond the Battlefield: Elevating Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations in the SOF-Space-Cyber Triad 8/5/2025

This article examines how Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations enhance the SOF-Space-Cyber Triad through information warfare, civil engagement, and influen...

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Mission Command: Trust, Empowerment, and the Future Force 8/6/2025

Explore mission command philosophy and the critical role of trust in modern military leadership. Learn how decentralized authority and disciplined initiative pre...

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Parachute and Jumper Recovery 1/29/2026

This article explores the significant financial and safety challenges the U.S. Army faces with parachute and jumper recovery after airborne operations, particula...

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Modern-Warfare-and-Risk 1/21/2026

U.S. Army Special Forces must shift from risk-averse GWOT culture to embrace calculated risk-taking for large-scale combat operations. Article examines how exces...

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