DiscoverThe Dead Warrior SocietyWhat Are Special Operations?
What Are Special Operations?

What Are Special Operations?

Update: 2025-05-06
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In this episode, I dive deep into the question: What exactly are Special Operations? To unpack this, I turn to one of the most influential voices on the subject—Admiral William H. McRaven (ret). Using his 1996 dissertation and his well-known book, Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice, I explore the six core principles McRaven outlines for successful special operations missions.

Instead of relying on the case studies McRaven uses in his book, I apply his framework to my own selection of historical operations—some well-known, others less so—to test and better understand how these principles hold up across different contexts, eras, and missions.

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What Are Special Operations?

What Are Special Operations?

Zachary Masek