Special Reconnaissance and Advanced Small Unit Patrolling: Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Special Operations Forces

by Edward Wolcoff

Comprehensive guide on Special Forces Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures written by a special operations combat veteran.

This book will serve as a tactical “bible” tailored to the military Special Operations, intelligence and paramilitary/law-enforcement communities and other interested parties – with the intention of breaking the invent-and-forget/reinventing-the-wheel cycle with an aim to (1) increase the effectiveness and lethality of SpecOps personnel and units, while (2) saving the lives of SpecOps personnel engaged in high-risk operations.

Wolcoff describes numerous historical examples of special reconnaissance (SR) operations, with some emphasis on lessons-learned/Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures gained from the legendary Military Assistance Command Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) SR operations conducted during the Vietnam-era, including operational accounts and analyses of specific missions. Few of these TTPs and lessons-learned have been archived or collated into a usable form for SpecOps personnel or units; this book is intended to preserve and embed this valuable and volatile compilation of tradecraft, that has been obtained at such cost in lives. Wolcoff covers the gamut of specialized SR topics ranging from operational planning and preparation, through execution, logistics and command and control – all in substantial trade-craft detail.

Genres: Military Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2021

Reviews

[Philomath · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOR SERIOUS OPERATORS

A true Magnum Opus: Certain to become a classic, this volume should be required reading for field men in training of any branch of service, or anyone who has an interest in being “skilled in the art”. The focus is on a comprehensive approach to patrolling and tactics, techniques and procedures (“TTP’s”) for effective employment when things matter most. Of great value are the many tips, tricks and pearls of wisdom, rich with detail and context that bring operational meaning and relevance to the procedures.

It is difficult to imagine a more qualified author for such a work. A Green Beret known among peers for effective tactical innovation and personal bravery, Lt. Col. Wolcoff spent many years in Special Forces practicing the art, including over two years in MACV/SOG actively patrolling across the border in unimaginably hostile environments, honing his personal skill set in the field.

If you are looking for a SOG memoir or blood dripping narrative war stories, you will be disappointed, although the text is richly embedded with illustrative “True Accounts” “Author’s Solutions” and other experience based observations from actual events. Information drips off the pages here. The scope of the work is well beyond the Southeast Asian theater of operations, with material from the SOE and OSS work in World War II, the SAS in the Malay emergency and many others.

The book is arranged in the following manner:

Overview: Provides general information and context for the uses of covert small units

Pre-mission: Special emphasis on leadership and training, planning and preparation

Employment/Execution: Operational Objectives, how to prevent “things going wrong” and what to do for recovery when they inevitably do go wrong (contains much detailed weapons/ordnance/device info)

Sustainment: Remaining covertly in the field and alive for extended periods
Command/Signal: Com’s TTP’s, equipment usage, field expedient measures, management of countermeasures

Post Mission activities: Maximizing information and experiences, Debriefing, updating TTP’s and implementation of “lessons learned”

The information is extensive and dense, but the modular, thematic organization of the content makes it navigable and accessible. The author has worked to minimize use of dated or obscure terminology and acronyms so the reader does not spend inordinate time in the glossary.
The publisher also has done its part, with true cloth binding and acid-free high quality paper, color photographs; this volume will make a proud addition to any library, and is built to last.

There have been many books which have tried to capture combat experience and convey knowledge and skills, starting with the “Recondo” manual from 1970, to the recent “Advanced Patrolling” by Winston Clough and Son. While there is unavoidable overlap in these efforts (there is no one “complete collection” of tips and tricks), the volumes are complementary, rather than redundant. Heretofore the emphasis has been more on “how to”, rather than “what and when to”, which is a major body of this work. The comparative distinction for assessment is “manual” vs. “textbook”.
This volume represents a lifetime of accumulated wisdom from research and life in the field. None other than Maj. John Plaster, SOG historian extraordinaire has stated that this volume is “…the most advanced book ever published on small unit and special operations intelligence gathering”. High praise from an unimpeachable source.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's obvious what this book is about and if you enjoy military tactics and learning lessons on how they worked and where they didn't then I imagine this will be right up your alley.
These types of things interest me no end, i wonder if I'm planning foe the zombie apocalypse subconsciously.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this.

[Spurius Lartius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and detailed TTPs for small unit reconnaissance, enlivened with many stories from SOG missions.

[Van Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting this to be so all-encompassing but I was pleasantly surprised. A lot of great information & stories of real life scenarios to aid in lesson topics.