(DoD) Those Active and Reserve Component forces of the Military Services designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called SOF. See also Air Force special operations forces; Army special operations forces; naval special warfare forces.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). special operations forces. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/special_operations_forces/definitions/1964059 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "special operations forces" http://smartdefine.org/special_operations_forces/definitions/1964059 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, special operations forces, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/special_operations_forces/definitions/1964059>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "special operations forces" 4 April 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/special_operations_forces/definitions/1964059> |