TEAM MEMBERS
Operational Detachment Alpha
Going unnoticed during their missions is critical for Green Berets. It's important for them to be organized in small, highly trained groups. This way they get things done in a quick and effective manner.
Special Forces groups are organized in small teams of 12 men — a.k.a. Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). A typical Green Berets Team structure usually consists of two each of the following: Weapons Sergeants, Communications Sergeants, Medical Sergeants and Engineering Sergeants. A Commander, Assistant Commander (Warrant Officer), Operations/Intelligence Sergeant and Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) complete the team. These teams can change according to the type of mission.
Each Soldier in an ODA is specially trained and cross-trained in different disciplines. See below for a brief job description for each ODA team member.
Related Jobs
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Special Forces Officer (18)
A Special Forces Officer is responsible for what is typically organized as a 12-man team, known as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). ODAs are deployed around the world in rapid-response situations whether it's during peacetime, crisis or war. The Special Forces Officer is the team leader of an ODA, responsible for mission organization, outfitting the team and debriefing mission objectives.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Officer
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
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Warrant Officer Corps (09W)
Army Warrant Officers are the Army's technical experts. Warrant Officers work to manage and maintain many of the Army's combat systems, vehicles and networks. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.
- Active/Reserve: Both
- Officer/Enlisted: Officer
- Restrictions: None
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Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)
Special Forces Weapons Sergeants are the weapons specialists. They're capable of operating a wide variety of U.S., Allied and other foreign weaponry. Some of the duties are: go behind enemy lines to recruit, train and equip friendly forces for guerrilla raids; carry out demolition raids against enemy military targets.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Enlisted
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
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Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C)
Special Forces Engineers are specialists across a wide range of disciplines, from demolitions and constructions of field fortifications, to topographic survey techniques. Some of the duties are: perform and teach tasks in demolitions, explosives, field fortification, bridging, rigging, reconnaissance and civil action projects.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Enlisted
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
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Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D)
Special Forces Medical Sergeants are considered to be the finest first-response/trauma medical technicians in the world. Though they're primarily trained with an emphasis on trauma medicine, they also have a working knowledge of dentistry, veterinary care, public sanitation, water quality and optometry.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Enlisted
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
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Special Forces Communications Sergeant (18E)
Special Forces Communications Sergeants can operate every kind of communications gear, from encrypted satellite communications systems to old-style high-frequency (HF) Morse key systems. They also have serious computer/networking skills.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Enlisted
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
