US Army Special Forces 1952-84

by Gordon L. Rottman, Ronald Volstad (Illustrator)

Overview

From its very inception the United States Army Special Forces has been enmeshed in controversy, its mission misunderstood to varying degrees, and its very existence opposed by some of the Army hierarchy. Nevertheless it continues to serve in a highly specialised role in all manner of differing conditions. There can be few better qualified to chronicle the history of this unique organisation than former Special Forces Group weapons specialist Gordon Rottman, whose expert knowledge is clearly evident in this authoritative text. This volume also contains 12 full page colour plates by one of the world's most respected military artists, Ron Volstad.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782004462
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	09/20/2012
Series:	Elite , #4
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group until reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70. He entered the Texas Army National Guard in 1974 and was the full-time Operations Sergeant of 2nd Bn., 143rd Inf., 36th Airborne Brigade until 1980, when he assumed a similar position with Co. G (Ranger), 143rd Inf. Reverting to part-time status in 1986, he is now the Opposing Forces Group Operations Sergeant in the Army Reserve's 75th Manoeuvre Area Command in Houston. He is a civilian contract Special Operations Forces Intelligence Specialist at the Army's Joint Readiness Centre, Ft Polk. Ronald Volstad is one of the world's most respected military illustrators and has contributed to Osprey titles including the superb 'US Army Airborne 1940-90. He currently lives and works in Alberta, Canada.
Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments before retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.
RONALD B.VOLSTAD was born in 1949 in Alberta, Canada, where he still lives and works. His first illustrations were published in 1970; since then he has become widely known for his work in Squadron and Osprey publications and for Dragon Models, and has also worked as a courtroom artist for TV news.

Table of Contents

Introduction · The Beginnings · Expansion and Growth · Vietnam · Since Vietnam · Organisation · Selection and Training · Insignia · The Plates