What is a typical size of Special Forces battalion, in terms of number of operators?

Daniel Kim — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 16:41:40 -0400

Or is it confidencial..?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 8 at 2018 4:49 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 16:49:39 -0400

Like many other questions on Rally Point, if you have a need to know, you will know where to find an answer.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Oct 8 at 2018 5:07 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 17:07:30 -0400

Daniel I am not being a smart ass with this answer but if you want to know call the Army recruiter and get an 18X date. If you make it then you will have a pretty good idea. Just saying, that is the best way to find out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 5:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 17:18:02 -0400

Not today Isis. Somethings are better left unsaid.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 8 at 2018 5:33 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 17:33:49 -0400

Why do you ask?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 5:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 17:42:34 -0400

Daniel, Why are you asking this question? You have talked to a recruiter, so are you enlisting?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 7:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 19:08:19 -0400

This is an OPSEC issue/question. You will not find an answer here telling you the numbers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 8:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 20:30:09 -0400

It's not exactly secret. It's right on Wikipedia.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 8:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 20:35:51 -0400

In case anyone is wondering, there are about 24,000 SF operators between the National Guard and the Active Duty.
It's not very secret since the Government Accounting Office released the numbers of all the special operators in the DOD to the public in 2016.
Also, the makeup of the ODA, number of teams per battalion, battalions per group, and groups per Army, are all open doctrine.

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Oct 8 at 2018 11:14 PM

SFC(P) Jonathan P. — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 23:14:51 -0400

Special operations usually operated in small teams of highly trained and lethal elements. The size of the special forces battalion, is not a confidential but ultimately smaller than a regular size element.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 9 at 2018 1:38 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 01:38:14 -0400

Damnit I’m late with the popcorn!!! I’d say if you really want to know, just go to the JFK Warfare Center and ask the first guy you see with his hands in his pockets, operator glasses, a tan, some tats, and his headgear kinda slid to the back of his head. If you don’t see that, look for the guy who keeps yelling ‘muthafukkas’, ‘you can quit’, ‘MOVE’, looks weird in booty shorts (aka silkies), and stands with his hands on his waist. Hands on the waist is a 100% foolproof way to tell who’s in charge. If he won’t tell you, personally give a FOIA request to the CSM. You WILL get an answer from him. Probably right there on the spot. CSMs love talking to people.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 9 at 2018 10:17 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 10:17:11 -0400

i assume this info is kept confidential, and for good reason. i also assume (though I'm just speculating) that SF battalions may fluctuate in size depending on the nature of their mission at the time.

Response by PFC Adam Murray made Oct 9 at 2018 7:14 PM

PFC Adam Murray — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:14:17 -0400

It's just you, man...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2018 9:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 21:54:19 -0400

Generally it is 1,000,000 green berets. With about 20 battalions per group.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2018 10:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 10:55:31 -0400

Response by MAJ Haris Balcinovic made Oct 10 at 2018 12:57 PM

MAJ Haris Balcinovic — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 12:57:28 -0400

Daniel Kim - wait they don't have those stats on Call of Duty?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2018 3:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 03:38:42 -0400

This really has nothing to do with joining the military lol.