Daring to Win Special Forces at War Author:David Eshel A vital component in all armies, worldwide today, Special forces can be traced back to the Biblical era, proving the importance and value of professional, dedicated and superbly trained elite warriors. From Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes can be gleaned the predecessors of Blitzkrieg tactics in essence: The swiftest and most outst... more »anding forces attacked the enemy in his weakest areas to achieve breakthrough and initiative. Their purpose lives on in modern special forces which essentially perform similar tasks today. The most significant development in their history is the emphasis placed on stealth and surprise: more important and tactically useful given the changed nature of war.
Only in attitude is the modern soldier similar to his predecessors, as in the weaponry he uses is now often at the leading edge of technology. Yet dedication remains the single most fundamental requirement for elite forces: fighting outside conventional warfare demands immense loyalty to cause and comrade, for only teamwork ensures success and survival. Of necessity at the sharpest edge of conflict---raiding behind enemy lines and courageous rearguard actions are all commonplace in the history of these forces.« less