3-104. The SF company (Figure 3-8) plans and conducts SO activities in any operational environment—permissive, uncertain, or hostile. The company HQ is the SFODB, a 10-man team (Figure 3-9, page 3-26). In garrison, the SFODB commands and controls its own organic SFODAs. The SF company commander, an experienced SF major, normally has more authority and greater freedom of action than do conventional Army company commanders. When deployed, the SFODB functions as a separate operational detachment with its own assigned mission. The mission may require the SFODB to operate separately or to exercise OPCON of a mix of organic and attached SFODAs. A significant difference exists between conventional Army companies and SFODBs. Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti (1994– 95) illustrates this difference. During the operation, SFODBs acted as area commands providing C2 to the SFODAs, which in turn performed peacekeeping missions throughout the country. Early in the operation, 5 SFODBs commanded 30 SFODAs, which made up the entire U.S. presence outside Port-au-Prince, the capital city, and the city of Cap Haitien. This presence encompassed 90 percent of Haiti’s land area and was the peacekeeping effort for approximately 5 million Haitians. Later in the operation, two additional SFODBs arrived with more SFODAs, bringing the total number of deployed teams to 44 with the same requirements as the original force.
Figure 3-8. SF Company (SFOB)
Figure 3-9. Composition of an SFODB
3-105. The SFODB is a multipurpose C2 element with many employment options. It can exercise C2 over one to six SFODAs. The SFODB’s primary missions are to act as an advanced operational base (AOB), a SOCCE, or an isolation facility (ISOFAC). All three of these missions may require augmentation with USAF special weather observers or other personnel as required. The SFODB can also deploy to conduct SF operations in a specified AO or JSOA.
FUNCTIONS
3-106. The SFODB plans and conducts SF operations separately or as part of a larger force. It also—
FM 3-05.20
• Establishes and operates, when augmented, an AOB to expand the C2 capabilities of an SFOB or an FOB.
• Infiltrates and exfiltrates specified operational areas by air, land, or sea.
• Conducts operations in remote areas and hostile environments for extended periods with minimal external direction and support.
• Develops, organizes, equips, trains, and advises or directs indigenous forces up to regiment size in SO activities.
• Trains, advises, and assists other U.S. and multinational forces and agencies.
• Serves as a SOCCE at a corps-level or higher conventional HQ. Recent operations have placed SOCCEs at tactical HQ, but such task organizations are inadvisable as they strain SF organizational and personnel resources.
• Organizes, advises, and assists a UW area command in a specified JSOA.
• Serves as a pilot team to assess the resistance potential in a specified JSOA.
• Establishes and operates an ISOFAC for an SFOB or an FOB.
• Augments the C2 capabilities of an SFOB or an FOB.
• Performs other SO activities as directed by higher authority.
COMMAND AND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
3-107. Each member of an SFODB has specific performance requirements in planning and conducting operations. All detachment members are capable of advising, assisting, or directing foreign counterparts in their functional areas up through regiment level. The responsibilities that follow are the specific requirements for each SFODB member.
Company Commander
3-108. The company commander exercises command of the personnel and elements assigned or attached to the company. When the SF company is employed as an AOB, an ISOFAC, or a SOCCE, the SF company commander commands those elements.
Executive Officer
3-109. The company executive officer directs the company staff and assigns specific responsibilities to prepare plans, orders, reports, and other staff actions. In coordination with the company sergeant major, he directs and supervises company administrative and logistics activities.
Operations Warrant Officer
3-110. The company operations warrant officer is responsible for all matters pertaining to the organization, training, intelligence and CI activities, and future operations of the company and its SFODAs. He is the coordinator for the company’s short-, mid-, and long-range training. He is also responsible for ASO management and is the focal point officer for MOSs 18F and 180A
intelligence training. He serves as the senior warrant officer advisor to the company commander on warrant officer assignments, professional development, and accessions.
Sergeant Major
3-111. The company sergeant major is the senior NCO of the company. He is the commander’s primary advisor on matters pertaining to the health and welfare of enlisted personnel. He supervises the daily training, operations, and administration of the company.
Operations Sergeant and Assistant Operations Sergeant
3-112. The operations sergeant and the assistant operations sergeant work with the executive officer and company operations warrant officer in accomplishing their duties. When the SF company and its SFODAs are uncommitted, they manage the company’s training program for the company commander. They manage the day-to-day activities of the company, both in garrison and on deployments.
Supply Sergeant
3-113. The supply sergeant is the company’s primary logistics planner and coordinator. He coordinates closely with the battalion S4, service detachment commander, and SFODA S4 planners to meet the logistics requirements of the company and its SFODAs.
Medical Sergeant
3-114. The medical sergeant provides routine, preventive, and emergency medical care. He establishes field medical facilities to support operations. He trains allied and indigenous personnel in basic emergency and preventive medical care. He also gathers medical information and provides limited mission-related veterinary care. In garrison, he maintains the company’s medical readiness data. He advises the commander on all medical-related issues.
Communications Sergeant
3-115. The two communications sergeants advise the commander on communications matters. They install, operate, and maintain communications equipment IAW METT-TC. They train detachment members and indigenous forces in signal equipment and procedures. They also advise the commander on all communications-related issues.