Inside Special Forces

They are among the most elite of all U.S. military, special forces subject to a rigorous selection and training process. Air commandos perform highly dangerous and often secret operations. They are involved in special military operations, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism. In addition, they are called upon to intervene in grave emergencies and natural disasters. This book examines the role that air commandos play in these operations. It covers their dramatic histories, their selection and training regimen, and some of their most exciting missions, including Operation Neptune Spear, the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound.

Snipers: skilled, cautious, and keen-eyed shooters who hide and wait for their assigned targets to appear. For a sniper, staying out of view-whether within some bushes or peeking over a rooftop-is job one. But snipers don't stay hidden for readers of this engrossing book, which pulls back the cover and the camouflage, providing a detailed and inside look at the training, the tools, and the history of how a select few get to be top guns in the U.S. military.

The Navy SEALs are among the most elite combat units in the history of the military. Readers dive into what makes them so good as they take a close look at the extreme training regimen and weaponry used. An exciting blow-by-blow account of some of the SEALs most clandestine missions, including the hunt for Osama bin Laden, will engage readers from cover-to-cover.

First In, Last Out, is the motto of the U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team, and this elite group certainly lives by that slogan. Readers get a captivating look into this lesser-known branch of the special forces. Additionally, as-told-by accounts of clandestine missions offer a window into what it's really like to be the first ones in and the last ones out of war zones.

The Navy SEALs may be the most talked about special operations unit of the military but the U.S. Army Green Berets are no less masterful at their job. Readers explore the lesser-known details about what makes a Green Beret tick, including the rigorous admissions requirements and top-secret missions. This is perfect for anyone fascinated with military operations.

The Marine Corps Special Operations Command engage in direct action, reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, information-gathering, and unconventional warfare. Readers are provided enthralling details, including explanations of the training that enrollees endure and special inside missions that show the skills and discipline of the members of one of the world's most exclusive defense forces.

With the capture of high-profile terrorists like Osama Bin Laden and accused Boston Marathon bombers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, military intelligence work is frequently in the headlines. This captivating book discusses the differences between information and intelligence, answering many questions about what intelligence work involves and some of the tools and technology that are put to use. It delves into the history of military intelligence, starting with Revolutionary War-era spy efforts, and continues to the tech-heavy weapons and intelligence tools common today. Readers will find it hard to put down this fascinating book of mystery and intrigue.

For individuals aspiring to earn a place in a U.S. Special Ops force, the intensity and rigor of boot camp are only the beginning. Training for these elite forces can sometimes be as secret to the public as their missions are and demands a level of physical and mental endurance beyond what most people believe is possible. Readers will learn what members of various Special Ops Forces have had to survive, including such unforgiving scenarios as torture and ambushes-all without losing focus on the mission at hand-before they could count themselves among the country's most highly trained soldiers.

The heroic combat search and rescue work of the United States Air Force's pararescue jumpers, or PJs, is something worth knowing about. After all, these courageous PJs are the first in line to find and rescue fallen soldiers and civilians in the most dangerous of war zones-often risking their own lives in the process. In these pages, the basic principles, history, and structure of American combat search and rescue teams is thoroughly covered, with particular focus on true stories of PJ rescue missions and the equipment, vehicles, and weapons they use.

The toughest, most elite warriors in the U.S. military are the soldiers who serve in the Special Operations Forces. This fact-filled volume presents a treasure trove of information about the weapons and gear that they rely on to complete their frequently dangerous and sensitive missions. The most-commonly used weapons are profiled, as are the land, air, and water vehicles that Special Forces soldiers use most often. Uniforms, MREs, and cutting-edge technology, including a proposed Iron Man–like suit, are also discussed. A comprehensive resource that is sure to appeal to any reader with an interest in the military.