The United States military is one of the largest in the world and has several special forces groups. Each of the six branches has at least one elite squad that is highly selective and reserved for sensitive missions of the highest priority. The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) oversees more than 50 unique units, each with its specialization, ranging from special vehicle units to psychological operations groups, reaction teams, and more. Some of these groups are considered the best of the best.
To identify the most elite American special forces units, CEOWORLD magazine reviewed several lists from reputable sources, including the Armed Forces History Museum, CBSNews, Special Ops Magazine, Military.com, and Business Insider. Information about the units was gathered from their websites or the American Special Ops site. The list mainly includes units that perform direct action, hostage rescue, counterterrorism, covert operations, and reconnaissance. The Central Intelligence Agency’s Special Activities Center, the paramilitary special operations unit of the CIA, was also included in the list.
The Navy SEALs are known for their exceptional adaptability across sea, land, and air domains. The Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team 6, operates under the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. This unit is famous for taking down the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden, and is considered the epitome of excellence. The members of this team are selected from among the SEAL teams.
The U.S. Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, are known for their expertise in unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, and counterterrorism skills. Delta Force, the Army’s top-notch counterterrorism unit, has exceptional skills in sniping and close-quarters combat ability.
Elite units like Marine Force Recon are a part of the Elite Reconnaissance Marines within the Marine Corps. They specialize in deep and amphibious reconnaissance missions to support the Marines.
The Air Force has various air commando units, which include several specialized aircraft and distinct Special Operations Squadrons within the Air Force Special Operations Command. They perform roles such as supplying ground units and conducting aerial reconnaissance. The Pararescue Jumpers (PJs) are a notable unit that are responsible for rescuing injured personnel from hostile or inaccessible areas.
The Coast Guard also has special operations forces that are categorized under regional commands in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors. One of these units is the Maritime Safety and Security Teams, which was established after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Its main purpose is to protect seaports and maritime facilities against potential terrorist threats.
- Special Activities Center
Service branch: Central Intelligence Agency
Also known as: Formerly Special Activities Division (SAD)
Type: Covert paramilitary operations unit
Role: Counterterrorism, deniable covert operations, direct action, espionage, targeted killing, hostage rescue and more - Intelligence Support Activity
Service branch: Army
Also known as: Gray Fox, ISA, USISA, The Activity
Type: Army intelligence unit
Role: HUMINT (human intelligence), SIGINT (signals intelligence), direct action - Night Stalkers of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
Service branch: Army
Also known as: Night Stalkers, 160th SOAR
Type: Special operations aviation
Role: Insertion/extraction of special operations forces, reconnaissance - Special Reconnaissance (formerly Special Operations Weathermen)
Service branch: Air Force
Also known as: Formerly SOWT
Type: Special reconnaissance airmen
Role: Commando unit for multi-domain reconnaissance and surveillance - Maritime Safety & Security Teams
Service branch: Coast Guard
Also known as: (MSST)
Type: Maritime security unit
Role: Counterterrorism - US Army Special Forces
Service branch: Army
Also known as: Green Berets
Type: Special operations forces
Role: Counterinsurgency, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, security force assistance - Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen
Service branch: Navy
Also known as: SWCCs
Type: Special operations forces
Role: Insertion and extraction of personnel from Naval vessels, direct action, mobility in shallow water areas - Combat Controllers
Service branch: Air Force
Also known as: CCTs
Type: Special operations force
Role: Specialized airmen providing air control and combat support - DEVGRU / SEAL Team 6
Service branch: Navy
Also known as: Naval Special Warfare Development Group, DEVGRU, ST6
Type: Special operation forces, special missions unit
Role: Special operations, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, direct action, special reconnaissance - Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
Service branch: Marine Corps
Also known as: ANGLICO
Type: Allied and foreign support
Role: Direct support to Joint, Allied, Coalition and Special Operations forces and coordination and deconfliction required in air to ground support - Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team
Service branch: Marine Corps
Also known as: FAST
Type: Security force
Role: Part of Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (counterterrorism) and capable of rapid deployment - 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta
Service branch: Army
Also known as: Delta Force, 1st SFOD-D, Combat Application Group (CAG), “The Unit”
Type: Special mission unit
Role: Special operations including direct action, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, urban warfare, reconnaissance - Navy SEALs
Service branch: Navy
Also known as: SEALs
Type: Special operations force
Role: Special operations, special warfare, direct action, counterterrorism, special reconnaissance, amphibious reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, underwater reconnaissance and demolition - Pararescuemen
Service branch: Air Force
Also known as: Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), STTs – AFSOC’s Battlefield Airmen
Type: Special operations force
Role: Combat search and rescue and medicine - 75th Ranger Regiment
Service branch: Army
Also known as: Army Rangers
Type: Light infantry special operations unit
Role: Airborne / air assaults, direct action raids, counterterrorism - Marine Raiders Special Operations Command
Service branch: Marine Corps
Also known as: MARSOC
Type: Special operations
Role: Direct action, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, security force assistance, counterinsurgency, support to combating weapons of mass destruction, support to unconventional warfare - Force Reconnaissance
Service branch: Marine Corps
Also known as: Force Recon
Type: Special operations
Role: Amphibious reconnaissance, deep reconnaissance, direct action, maritime interdiction, visit board search and seizure
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