Author(s): William H. McRaven

War

How can a small group of soldiers attack a numerically superior force in an entrenched position and hope to succeed? It may sound impossible, but this is what special operations is all about. Bill McRaven commands a team of SEALs, the U.S. Navy's elite special operations force. Accomplishing the seemingly impossible is the day-to-day business of McRaven and his SEALs and other special operators such as Green Berets, Britain's Special Air Service and Russia's Spetznaz. In SPEC OPS you learn the secrets of the trade: get on target fast and maintain relative superiority throughout the area of vulnerability. It worked for the Germans who clobbered the Belgians at Fort Eben Emael before they knew what hit them. It worked for the Israelis who dropped in at Entebbe and executed the perfect prisoner rescue. Special operations forces are able to beat the odds because their preparation, firepower, speed on target, and moral commitment give them the ultimate edge over their opponents. When you fight like this you almost can't lose.