SOT-A

SOT-A

SOT-A

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A SOT-A (Special Operations Team-Alpha) is a signals intelligence–electronic warfare (SIGINT-EW) element of the United States Army Special Forces.[1][2][3][4][5]

They are low-level SIGINT collection teams that intercept and report operational and technical information derived from tactical threat communications through prescribed communications paths. The mission of a SOT-A is to conduct SIGINT/EW in support of information operations (unilaterally or in conjunction with other Special Operations Forces (SOF) elements) to support existing and emerging SOF missions worldwide.[1][3][5]

SOT-A's are the direct descendants of the Army Security Agency's Special Operations Detachments (USASASODs).[1][5]

Capabilities

SOT-A team members can operate in remote, denied areas much like SFODA members. In addition to their linguistic, international Morse code (IMC) and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques and are certified in the same basic skills as SFODAs. However, SOT-As are rarely certified in advanced SOF skills such as underwater operations (UWO) or military free-fall (MFF).[1][3][5]

SOT-As can detect, monitor, and exploit threat communications through communications transmission intercept and direction finding. SOT-As also can deploy with Special Forces Operational Detachments-A (SFODAs or A-teams) to provide SIGINT support for contingency, direct action, force protection, MTT support, or unconventional warfare. These functions may require SOT-As to:[1][3][5]

  • Deploy with a SFODA.
  • Deploy independently and then join a deployed SFODA.
  • Operate independently or with other SOT-As.
  • Operate and train on advanced collection equipment provided by national intelligence agencies.

Insertion/Extraction Techniques

SOT-A team members can operate in remote and denied areas. In addition to their linguistic and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques.[5]

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)

  • Foreign languages
  • Morse Code intercept (>20 GPM)
  • Analysis and reporting

Advanced training

Advanced training may include:

Organization

According to a 2001 field manual, there is one SIGINT section with six SOT-A per each Special Forces Group. A SOT-A team consists of four members.[1]

References

  1. [1]
    "FM 3–05.102 Army Special Operation Forces Intelligence" (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army. 31 August 2001. pp. Glossary-23.
  2. [2]
    Cyber Soldier took up the gauntlet…and enjoyed it, U.S. Army, by Steven Stover (780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber)), dated 28 December 2017, last accessed 18 August 2023
  3. [3]
    Enlistment and Training Information, 19th Special Forces Group (A) Utah; Special Forces Support, Special Operations Team Alpha SOT-A (page 28), Special Forces Recruiting, dated October 2016, last accessed 18 August 2023
  4. [4]
    The Best ODA / SOT-A Assessment, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by SGT Carolina Sierra [7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)], dated 5 May 2022, last accessed 18 August 2023
  5. [5]
    Tactical Signals Intelligence with SOT-A | Clayton Jensen | Ep. 179, The Team House YouTube Channel, dated 9 December 2022, last accessed 18 August 2023


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