Delta Force Xtreme 2 System Requirements
Lucia
The mission of Delta Force is multifaceted, operators of the elite unit are highly skilled in specialized disciplines to see their missions through. Their skills reflect their primary purposes of counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.
Like DEVGRU, Delta formed out of the necessity for lean and agile special forces groups. Discussions in the 1970s by US defence agencies led to the recognition of non-state actors, especially terrorist groups, after a myriad of global terrorist attacks. The need arose for a dedicated and highly efficient counter-terror unit, and Delta Force was formed. (Source)
These tertiary squadrons contain all the soldiers required for Delta to function. It includes soldiers with jobs such as cook, surgeon, finance personnel, supply personnel, explosive ordnance disposal, and many more.
The CNOS is a squadron of computer hackers with a variety of purposes such as finding and fixing targets for assault squadrons to finish. The squadron is spread around the DMV area, with a headquarters in Arlington, V and two troops at Fort Mead, MD and Langley, VA. THE CNOS reports directly to the JSOC commander, allowing it to hack within countries the US is not technically at war with. CNOS operators have clandestinely infiltrated countries as members of non-governmental organizations and heavily targeted internet cafes in the Middle East to identify terrorists.
Candidates need to meet standard entry requirements, acquire top-secret clearance and pass through Airborne School. (Source) Enlisted personnel need a rank of E-3, at least 36 months remaining in service and top-secret clearance. Personnel also need an ASVAB score above 110. (Source)
The entry requirements for Delta are likely to be even higher than these listed requirements, and the physical and mental tests in the training process itself will push even the toughest candidates to their absolute limit.
Physical requirements for any special forces will be extreme, to say the least. In a disclosed document from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, there are a number of highlighted physical activities. (Source) The primary focuses of special forces physical training surround a few different disciplines. These include the capability to hold weight while moving, general strength and endurance. These disciplines are tested constantly through various exercises, including: (Source)
A comprehensive nutrition regimen supplements the physical requirements of Delta as well. Special forces groups are provided with the nutrient-dense food and liquids they need to make it through training. As a result of their training, Delta operators are drilled thoroughly on the importance of different forms of nutrition. As a result, operators understand how certain foods can maximize their physical output, and help them in the field. (Source)
More specifically Delta Force Assessment and Selection follow initial training for selection. The selection also involves navigation skills, where candidates are given specific coordinates they need to navigate to. Finally, the Long Walk section of the training involves a 40-mile march in full pack. (Source)
It is during the final phase of the training that candidates enter the Operators Training Course or OTC. OTC is a constantly evolving end-stage of the Delta Force training process. They are trained in a variety of small arms, as well as specialized roles like support weapons and sniping/observing. (Source) OTC also involves an advanced parachuting school, training in CQB, demolitions, tradecraft and VIP protection tactics. Most importantly, as so many OTC participants and officers alike confirm, it is the brotherhood that is the most important aspect forged during training. (Source)
Upon completion of OTC, members of Delta either move on to an active squadron. Trainees may also be sent to certain specialist schools, including advanced sniper training. The trainees become Delta Force operators and begin their active service with the Unit.
Delta Force primarily conducts counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations, both of which can involve a heavy amount of direct and high-intensity combat. As a Special Mission Unit (SMU), their teams are small, agile and able to deploy rapidly.
The skills they are trained in are reflected in the way they operate in the field. Due to their highly specialized and skilled Delta Force squadrons are used to conduct rapid, high-intensity raids. (Source) During CQB training, operators learn how to conduct breaching manoeuvres and conduct close-quarters combat. (Source) Being able to rapidly breach, clear and search buildings, as well as rooms, is an essential tactical skill for this team. As hostage rescue and securing of high-value targets (HVTs) often occurs in tight quarters, Delta Force must be ready to respond.
When conducting raids Delta typically uses a multi-faceted approach. There is an assaulting force which enters the target building and rescues hostages or kills/captures any HVTs. There is also an outer and inner cordon element. The inner cordon ensures that no enemy quick reaction force (QRF) in the immediate area can enter their target building or escape from it. The outer cordon ensures that no enemy QRF from outside the immediate area can form a counterattack. Additionally, there is usually an overwatch element to provide sniper cover to the troops on the ground. Delta will almost always conduct operations with ISR drone surveillance and some sort of close air support on standby.
Extensive training in long weapons during their training makes members of Delta excellent marksmen. Operators of Delta can engage hostile forces accurately from afar while using support weapons to create a comprehensive tactical force.
When engaging in long-range engagements, or providing overwatch for breaching forces as they approach a target building, snipers make up a critical component of any Delta Force team. As a third of each assault squadron is composed of a sniper troop, the ability to have reliable reconnaissance as well as sniping capability is critical to the tactical design of Delta. (Source)
Delta operators are advanced soldiers. They are perfectionists and experts at their craft. Although weapons and kit are not what make Delta operators so highly skilled, it helps to augment their lethality.
Delta Force has always been at the forefront of small arms development and technology. Delta has been the trendsetter for the rest of the Army since its inception. The Unit maintains close working relationships with many small arms manufacturers. Additionally, the Unit has teams of armourers who can machine, spice, and create solutions to any problem that operators are having. Prior to the Global War on Terror, operators were seen with a multitude of homebrew modifications to the M4 carbines they used. The M4 is chambered in the intermediate 5.56x45mm NATO, which is an intermediate cartridge that is both light and lethal to about 600m.
Sniper rifles are perhaps the most important weapon type for Delta, featuring dedicated sniper teams in each assault squadron as well as their recon divisions. These sniper weapons include both anti-material rifles and anti-personnel rifles, all allowing Delta teams to engage combatants at long range. The total armoury of Delta cannot be truly known given their covert nature, but among the known snipers include:
Sniper rifles that can engage both light armour and personnel are essential for any team that operates with high independence such as Delta. The M82 is a logical field solution, delivering high-powered rounds with extreme precision, and it finds itself used in the field by all US special forces, including Delta. (Source)
Though part DMR, part sniper rifle, the SR 25 and HK 417 can engage targets at long range and provide reliable and precise fire. The gas-operated autoloading system allows it to not only be accurate but also provide rapid follow-up shots when engaged. (Source) The Mk 22 on the other hand is a reliable bolt action weapon that can engage targets up to 1,500 meters. It provides many of the sniper squads in assault squadrons with a deadly and accurate long-range weapon.
However, the FBI conducted lengthy ballistics testing and determined that there were no significant differences between the effectiveness of any of these three calibres. (Source) As a result, both the FBI and Delta have largely converted to using 9x19mm Glocks such as the Glock 17 and 19. (Source)
The typical form factor of a Unit Glock is something along the lines of a Roland Special. A Roland Special utilizes a red dot mounted to the pistols slide, a compensator, as well as modifications to the grip and slide. The purpose behind the modifications is to provide the user with a flatter shooting handgun that you can scan and engage targets with easier than a stock handgun.
Alongside the Glock as well as M1911A1, Delta used commercially procured 2011s. The 2011 is a modernized version of the M1911A1. 2011s are usually chambered in either 9x19mm or .40 calibre and offer higher magazine capacity when compared to the M1911A1. They also use a polymer grip module which slightly reduces weight. While the 2011 series of pistols offer the accuracy and superb trigger pull of its predecessor, it also maintains the unreliability. As a result, the Unit returned many of its 2011s back to the manufacturer.
Delta Force at times must engage armoured forces entirely on their own. For dealing with heavier targets they commonly use the Carl Gustave M4 Recoiless Rifle, the AT4 and the FGM-148 Javelin. (Source) These handheld rocket/ missile systems allow the specialized operators of Delta Force to take on vehicles in addition to armoured elements, should the need arise.
Delta Force is an adaptable force, one designed like much of the US military, to operate in any environment, with any camouflage. Many of the modern uniforms, as well as the camo of Delta, reflect the terrain it has fought in, and it may very well change from mission to mission. Some of the camos include solid colour uniforms, Multicam, AOR 1, and AOR 2 are the most common.
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