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)
The Special Forces officer is the team leader of an operational detachment alpha, a highly trained 12-man team that is deployed in rapid-response situations. The officer organizes the mission, outfits the team and debriefs them on the mission objective.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Officer
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
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Warrant Officer Corps (09W)
As the technical experts in the Army, warrant officers manage and maintain many of the Army’s combat systems, vehicles and networks. Once they reach the rank of chief warrant officer two, they are commissioned by the president and receive the same status as a commissioned officer.
- 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 and maintaining a wide variety of U.S., allied and other foreign weaponry.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Enlisted
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
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Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C)
Special forces engineer sergeants are specialists across a wide range of disciplines, from demolitions and constructions of field fortifications to topographic survey techniques.
- 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.
- 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 Morse key systems.
- Active/Reserve: Active Duty
- Officer/Enlisted: Enlisted
- Restrictions: Closed to Women
