Special Forces Research Articles

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Structure of Self-Assembled Undecenyl Phosphonic Acid Layers Developed on Different Stainless Steel Surfaces

Deterioration caused by corrosion is well known, which can destroy metallic and non-metallic materials alike. Dissolved inhibitors of bionic micro- and nanocoatings can decrease the degree of undesirable corrosion in various ways. In this paper, a self-assembled molecular layer formed from undecenyl phosphonic acid developed on two different steel surfaces was the subject of our experiments. The influence of the metal composition, layer-forming conditions and post-heat treatment was documented by wettability measurements as well as surface roughness parameters; the change in surface morphology caused by the formation of a layer in addition to post-heat treatment was visualized by an atomic force microscope (AFM); and infrared spectroscopy elucidated the bindings of the amphiphilic molecules involved in the self-assembled layer to the metal surface as well as to each other. Over the course of the self-assembling process, the –P(O)(OH)2 head groups can fix the amphiphilic molecule to the solid surface through the metal oxide-hydroxide layer. The hydrophobic alkenyl chains remain together as a result of special forces, namely hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, between them. The double bond at the end of the alkenyl chain disturbs how well the layer is ordered. To improve the homogeneity of the molecular layer and increase its level of compactness, the self-assembled molecular (SAM) layer was heat treated to achieve a more compact molecular film that can perfectly cover the metal surface.

No threat: Emotion regulation neurofeedback for police special forces recruits

Police officers of the Special Forces are confronted with highly demanding situations in terms of stress, high tension and threats to their lives. Their tasks are specifically high-risk operations, such as arrests of armed suspects and anti-terror interventions. Improving the emotion regulation skills of police officers might be a vital investment, supporting them to stay calm and focused. A promising approach is training emotion regulation by using real-time (rt-) fMRI neurofeedback. Specifically, downregulating activity in key areas of the fronto-limbic emotion regulation network in the presence of threatening stimuli.Thirteen recruits of the Dutch police special forces underwent six weekly rt-fMRI sessions, receiving neurofeedback from individualized regions of their emotion regulation network. Their task was to reduce the image size of threatening images, wherein the image size represented their brain activity. A reduction in image size represented successful downregulation. Participants were free to use their preferred regulation strategy. A control group of fifteen recruits received no neurofeedback. Both groups completed behavioural tests (image rating on evoked valence and arousal, questionnaire) before and after the neurofeedback training. We hypothesized that the neurofeedback group would improve in downregulation and would score better than the control group on the behavioural tests after the neurofeedback training.Neurofeedback training resulted in a significant decrease in image size (t(12) = 2.82, p = .015) and a trend towards decreased activation in the target regions (t(10) = 1.82, p = .099) from the first to the last session. Notably, subjects achieved downregulation below the pre-stimulus baseline in the last two sessions. No relevant differences between groups were found in the behavioural tasks.Through the training of rt-fMRI neurofeedback, participants learned to downregulate the activity in individualized areas of the emotion regulation network, by using their own preferred strategies. The lack of behavioural between-group differences may be explained by floor effects. Tasks that are close to real-life situations may be needed to uncover behavioural correlates of this emotion regulation training.

Position: A study protocol for the prevention of fall injuries in french special forces selection courses using a body-centered intervention.

The Military Physical and Sports Training program was developed by the French Army in order to train, optimize, and maintain individual readiness. Although the health benefits of sport practice do not need to be demonstrated, such activities can cause acute musculoskeletal injuries that need to be addressed. The prevalence of lower limb injury is rather high in the French military population and, in particular, ranges from 15 to 45% during Special Forces selection courses. Thus, this project aims to investigate the efficiency of a body-centered program designed to enhance body awareness. The program seeks to train the mind to actively pay attention to body information, while the latter is viewed as a protective factor against fall injuries. We assume: (i) that postural control can be improved by enhancing the level of body awareness; and (ii) that greater postural awareness could be beneficial in reducing the risk of fall injuries. The body-centered prevention program is based on the Optimization of the Resources of the Armed Forces (ORAF) intervention, which focuses on mental preparation and recovery, and has been deployed in the French Army for many years. The study focuses on five French Special Forces selection courses (400 soldiers/ participants). It is divided into two stages (year 1, year 2). The first year is dedicated to data collection from the control group (200 participants), while in the second year the ORAF intervention will be deployed. In both year, participants will be subjected to the same enrollment schedule (Fig 3). The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of the ORAF intervention in reducing the rate of fall injuries during military selection, based on a multidisciplinary method that captures demographic, biological, biometric, clinical, and para-clinical measures. Registration number: IDRCB number 2021-A02108-33, Clinical Trial: NCT05451394.

THE ORGANISATIONAL STATUS OF SPECIAL FORCES IN THE ARMED FORCES OF NATO STATES

The process of separation of special forces (military special operations units) in the structure of the armed forces of NATO countries began in the 1980s. By the end of the Cold War, two states had done this: the United States and the United Kingdom (1987). By the end of the 20th century, they had been followed by France (1992) and Turkey (1994). This article describes the chronology of changes in this area up to January 2020, by which time 18 out of 29 NATO states had upgraded their special forces to the status of separate branches of their armed forces or troops. Two models of management had been adopted within the framework of the autonomization of the said units, which at the beginning of the 2020s comprised up to 5% of all armed forces.

이원화 자치경찰제에 적합한 전국 특별사법경찰 발전방안에 관한 연구

This study aims to explore empirical factors and make concrete recommendations on how to develop the Korean special judicial police force in a dualized autonomous police system. Through the literature review, it was found that there are the same issues for the implementation of the autonomous police system as for the special judicial police, such as job satisfaction, work avoidance, and identity confusion. Regression analyses were conducted to determine whether these factors affect the extent to which special law enforcement officers actually practice cooperation with the general police. The results showed that the higher the job satisfaction, the higher the perception of cooperation with the general police, while controlling for variables such as gender, age, and departmentalization. Considering that job satisfaction should be approached in a very comprehensive manner, the results are sufficiently indicative of how the special judicial police should develop in the future. Based on our findings, we made three main policy recommendations to improve job satisfaction and enhance cooperation with the police. First, the overall job satisfaction, second, the improvement of job satisfaction according to regional differences, and third, the establishment of self-governance in cooperation with the Autonomous Police Commission and the future-oriented operation of the Special Judicial Police. These are policy recommendations that can directly lead to job satisfaction and are expected to provide a new roadmap for the cooperation between the police and the special judicial police and the development of the special judicial police.

Load Carrying Walking Test forthe Special Operation Forces ofthe Army ofthe Czech Republic.

The subject of this study was the creation of a new type of laboratory walking stress test for the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. This study developed a test model that has been validated in practice and that reflects the fact that the performance of endurance without and with a load varies considerably. Especially, if we focus on operators, as their activities are always performed with loads/full gear (equipment, weapons, equipment, etc.). 24 men/operators from the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic volunteered for this study. The maximal exercise test/spiroergometry was designed to include performance at a load of 55 kg/121 lb, a constant speed of 5.3 km/h, and an increase in incline angle of 1 degree after each elapsed minute. The test was performed on a treadmill under standard time, location, and temperature conditions. During the test, the following values were recorded: VO2 = oxygen consumption indicating the intensity of the exercise was monitored, VO2/kg = oxygen consumption converted to body weight, VO2/HR = pulse oxygen (the amount of oxygen converted in one heartbeat), HR = heart rate, VE = ventilation, volume of air exhaled in 1 min, breathe frequency (BF) = respiratory rate in 1 min. Out of the total number of 24 respondents, the study found these mean values of variables. The variable mapping the oxygen consumption, which indicates the intensity of VO2 loading, was 3.8, with the lowest value being 3.2 and the highest being 4.5. After converting oxygen consumption to bodyweight, VO2/kg was 46, the lowest value of 38.8, and the highest 53.0 were measured for this variable. Pulse oxygen, i.e., the amount of oxygen calculated per heart contraction VO2/HR, was 20.5, the lowest value 16.0, and the highest 26.0. The average HR heart rate was 183.5, with the lowest value being recorded at 164 and the highest value is 205. Ventilation, i.e., the amount of exhaled air per minute in VE, was measured at 144.9, the lowest value was 114.7, and the highest was 176.6. The BF in 1 min was 58.5, the lowest value 35, and the highest 70. The mean time load was 10:20 min, the shortest test length was 7:25 min, and the longest was 13:23 min. These values correspond to the degree of inclination of the ascent, i.e., the mean value was 10 degrees, the smallest achieved slope was 7 degrees, and the largest 13 degrees. The designed weighted walking test proved to be fully functional and effective in measurement. The further established protocol corresponds to the requirements of the current needs of the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. Last but not least, the walking stress test is applied for the external and internal selection and screening of operators. Data obtained from testing were used to develop deployment requirements for patrol/nuclear combat missions.

Violence in the Education: The Post-Revolutionary Situation in Hungary (1956-1957)

Background: The author attempts to introduce an unusual approach towards schools, universities, and dormitories, including their users (professors, teachers, parents, and students): How can the educational issues be seen through the lenses of special police forces in a specific historical moment? After the 1956 Hungarian revolution, a brutal pacification process took place all over the country, supported by the Soviet troops and special armed forces, police battalions of the restarting communist power. Methods: In this historical study, I used mainly military archive documents to show the perspective of the communist restauration and confront their viewpoints with party reports and some oral histories by eyewitnesses, who suffered several injuries during the repression. The paper is based on narrative analysis, as the official explanation presented various stories to justify their actions, while the reality in the background might be very different from this. Results: Between November 1956 and May 1957, these soldiers or officers became a familiar image in educational institutions. They blamed teachers and professors for misleading their students and thus creating a narrative of the counter-revolution of October 1956, while they identified themselves as parents or teachers (instead of the real ones, who lost their rights to do this, due to the participation in the revolution). Conversely, physical and verbal aggression was a widespread routine of the army officers. Conclusions: In extraordinary situations, during historical crises violence became suddenly real, allowed, and/or supported by many political actors to achieve their goals. After the consolidation of power, these special army and police forces were released and their activities were stopped by the authorities of the Ministry of National Defence because their presence was realized as an uncomfortable situation for the politicians. Such studies may give lessons us to learn, about how these scenes escalate into a point of no return.

The Utility Knife Effect in Special Operations

The 9/11 hijackers were armed with mere utility knives – relatively innocuous tools that led to terror attacks the aftershocks of which are still felt today. The ‘utility knife effect’ refers to seemingly unassuming tactical operations deployed in direct action missions, with far-reaching results. Yair Ansbacher and Ron Schleifer highlight the important role special operations forces can play in combating terrorist activity and the changes the West needs to make to enable them to be successful.◼

Sonochemically assisted the synthesis and catalytic application of bismuth-based photocatalyst: A mini review

Recently, bismuth (Bi)-based photocatalysts have been a well-deserved hotspot in the field of photocatalysis owning to their photoelectrochemical properties driven by the distortion of the Bi 6 s orbital, while their narrow band gap and poor quantum efficiency still restrict their application. With the development of ultrasonic technology, it is expected to become a broom to clear the application obstacles of Bi-based photocatalysts. The special forces and environmental conditions brought by ultrasonic irradiation play beneficial roles in the preparation, modification and performance releasement of Bi-based photocatalysts. In this review, the role and influencing factors of ultrasound in the preparation and modification of Bi-based photocatalysts were introduced. Crucially, the mechanism of the improving the performance for various types of Bi-based photocatalysts by ultrasound in the whole process of photocatalysis was deeply analyzed. Then, the application of ultrasonic synergistic Bi-based photocatalysts in contaminants treatment and energy conversion was briefly introduced. Finally, based on an unambiguous understanding of ultrasonic technology in assisting Bi-based photocatalysts, the future directions and possibilities for ultrasonic synergistic Bi-based photocatalysts are explored.

Repetitive, but Not Single, Mild Blast TBI Causes Persistent Neurological Impairments and Selective Cortical Neuronal Loss in Rats.

Exposure to repeated mild blast traumatic brain injury (mbTBI) is common in combat soldiers and the training of Special Forces. Evidence suggests that repeated exposure to a mild or subthreshold blast can cause serious and long-lasting impairments, but the mechanisms causing these symptoms are unclear. In this study, we characterise the effects of single and tightly coupled repeated mbTBI in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to shockwaves generated using a shock tube. The primary outcomes are functional neurologic function (unconsciousness, neuroscore, weight loss, and RotaRod performance) and neuronal density in brain regions associated with sensorimotor function. Exposure to a single shockwave does not result in functional impairments or histologic injury, which is consistent with a mild or subthreshold injury. In contrast, exposure to three tightly coupled shockwaves results in unconsciousness, along with persistent neurologic impairments. Significant neuronal loss following repeated blast was observed in the motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, auditory cortex, and amygdala. Neuronal loss was not accompanied by changes in astrocyte reactivity. Our study identifies specific brain regions particularly sensitive to repeated mbTBI. The reasons for this sensitivity may include exposure to less attenuated shockwaves or proximity to tissue density transitions, and this merits further investigation. Our novel model will be useful in elucidating the mechanisms of sensitisation to injury, the temporal window of sensitivity and the evaluation of new treatments.

Force Health Protection Education: A Pilot Approach to Applying Military Frameworks to Service Member Health Education.

Ensuring Force Health Protection (FHP) is one of the most critical priorities in the DoD; however, there is no systematic approach for individual service members to address their own FHP. This paper outlines the FHP Education workshop, a model program fielded at 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC, which applies military processes, principles, and frameworks to teaching special operations forces operators and enablers how to address their own FHP by identifying and mitigating threats to health and performance in the military operational environment. The FHP Education workshop has the potential to be a well-received and impactful program that offers a proactive, whole of person, community-based preventive system aligned with the Total Force Fitness framework to enable individual service members to conduct FHP.

Predictors of psychedelic treatment outcomes among special operations forces veterans.

Predictors of psychedelic treatment outcomes among special operations forces veterans.

Profile of the Female Mobile Brigade in Pekanbaru City

Policewomen are not only on duty in the general section, but some are part of the special forces in the Police Mobile Brigade Unit. In this study, researchers will focus more on discussing the Women's Mobile Brigade in Pekanbaru City by taking the subject of female members of the Riau Police Mobile Brigade Unit. The purpose and objective of this research is to find out how the profile of the Mobile Brigade of the Mobile Brigade of the Riau Police Mobile Brigade Unit in the context of action theory uses a descriptive qualitative method. The location of the research was carried out at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters of the Riau Police. There were 4 people who became informants in this study according to predetermined criteria (purposive sampling). Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, and documentation. The conclusion from this research is that the Polwan of the Riau Brimobda Unit are divided into different work units, so they have different goals according to their respective divisions. Polwan Brimob as the perpetrators of the action has many ways to achieve its goals. The first way is that they have to take the Polwan test, undergo initial non-commissioned officer education, then take part in Bina Tradition activities. Officially becoming Brimob, the policewomen have other ways that are adjusted to their position in the Riau Mobile Brigade Work Unit. There is special treatment for Polwan Brimob because they face conditions that come from their biology, namely as a woman. Within the Riau Police Mobile Brigade Unit, where the majority are male, Polwan Brimob continue to position themselves as women in speech and behavior. Polwan can adapt to the environment of the Riau Mobile Brigade Unit, this creates a different work experience for every woman who works as a Mobile Brigade special force.

Design of a trusted shift of Coordination Forms: Supporting Collaboration to handle future non-human intelligent collaborators (NICs)

We introduce principles for designing collaboration among special operation forces (SOF) and future non-human intelligent collaborators (NICs), focusing on interdependence and emergent dynamics of workflow. We discuss a dynamic mixed-initiative human-autonomy teaming (HAT) coordination concept, where multiple military SOF teams collaborate together with autonomous capabilities. We argue that effective tactical actions requires shift of coordination forms, i.e. who is enacting coordination functions, which in military command and control (C2) terminology is formalized as coordination authority. Coordination forms could shift according to a set of requirements and we discuss how to elicit experiences of such coordination from simulated missions where human teammates and/or NICs have had to make choices of coordination form. We formulate a set of hypotheses remaining to be empirically analyzed. We draw on collaboration research investigating socio-technical systems where machine teammates collaborate with human teammates to achieve a common goal.

Kavalactones Promote Motivation To Expend Energy During Intensive Special Forces Prep Training

Kavalactones Promote Motivation To Expend Energy During Intensive Special Forces Prep Training

Fundamentals of formation of military applied skills of military officers through sports orientation

The article deals with topical issues regarding the improvement of applied military skills of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine based on the use of sports orienteering tools. It is emphasized that regular practical orienteering exercises allow servicemen to confidently move through unfamiliar terrain and overcome various natural obstacles, receive and analyze relevant information, and quickly make decisions in extreme situations. Such military-applied skills are especially important for servicemen of special operations forces, reconnaissance, airborne assault and other special units, which mainly operate in small groups outside the permanent deployment points of military units. On the basis of the analysis of the problems of the organization of military applied training of personnel, the ways of increasing the effectiveness of the educational process of training the skills of orientation in the terrain in the power structures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are presented.

Ultra-forward surgical support for special operations forces. Conception, development and certification of the French Special Operations Surgical Team (SOST) airborne capability

When special operations forces (SOF) are in action, a surgical team (SOST) is usually ground deployed as close as possible to the combat area, to try and provide surgical support within the golden hour. The French SOST is composed of 6 people: 2 surgeons, 1 scrub nurse, 1 anaesthetist, 1 anesthetic nurse and 1 SOF paramedic. It can be deployed in 45 min under a tent or in a building. However, some tactical situations prevent the ground deployment. A solution is to deploy the SOST in a tactical unprepared aircraft hold, to make it possible to offer DCS, to treat non-compressible exsanguinating trauma, without any ground logistical footprint. This article describes the stages of the design, development and certification process of the airborne SOST capability. The authors report the modifications and adaptations of the equipment and the surgical paradigms which make it possible to solve the constraints linked to the aeronautical and combat environment.Study type/level of evidence Care management Level of Evidence IV

Measuring differences-in-differences of crimes: a case of Dolphin Force in Punjab

Learning outcomes The case has the following learning objectives: 1. understand the various types of comparisons that are possible between groups over time and across space; 2. evaluate a policy intervention using relevant data and different methods; and 3. understand the meaning of the phrase “controlling for other relevant factors” in regression and non-regression contexts. Case overview/synopsis The difference-in-differences (DID) approach is a useful tool for making meaningful comparisons. This case tries to provide a non-technical introduction to the approach using a basic comparison of crime rates among districts in Punjab (Pakistan's largest province). Being the most populous region of the country, Punjab faces many governance challenges, and street crime is one of them. (Exhibit 5 provides additional information about the geographical and administrative setting used in this case study.) In 2016, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif established the Dolphin (police) Force in different locations to improve urban patrolling and reduce street crime. There were debates about the effectiveness of the Dolphin Force (DF). Those who are skeptical of DF point to various situations that were handled incorrectly by DF personnel, as well as other administrative and operational problems in the initiative. Optimists believe it is beneficial and want it to be expanded to other districts and regions. The threat of street crime claims many lives and, according to optimists, necessitates the formation of a special force. Whether the huge resources invested in the DF worth their lot or not can be known through sound statistical analysis that can identify the difference in the rate of crime because of the DF. In this instance, the case provides information to answer the following question: Is there a significant difference in crime rates between areas where the DF is operating and districts where it has not yet been installed? Complexity academic level In quantitative/statistical analysis classes, the case can be used to teach the DID technique to MBA/MS Applied Statistics/Applied Data Analysis students. It can also be used in undergraduate Econometrics classes. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 7: Management Science.

Noncovalent π Interactions in Mutated Aquomet-Myoglobin Proteins: A QM/MM and Local Vibrational Mode Study.

Protein dynamics and function is strongly connected to the energy flow taking place. Myoglobin (Mb) and its mutations are ideal systems to study the process of vibrational energy transfer (VET) at the molecular level. Anti-Stokes ultraviolet resonance Raman studies using a tryptophan (Trp) probe, introduced at different Mb positions by amino acid replacement, have suggested that the amount of VET depends on the position of the Trp probe relative to the heme group. Inspired by this experimental work, we explored the strength of noncovalent π interactions, as well as covalent interactions for both the axial and distal ligands bound to iron in aquomet-Mb with the local vibrational mode analysis (LMA), originally developed by Konkoli and Cremer. Two sets of noncovalent interactions were investigated: (1) the interaction between the water ligand and Trp rings and (2) the interaction between the Trp and the porphyrin rings of the heme group. We assessed the strength of these noncovalent interactions via a special local mode force constant. Various Trp-modified water-bound ferric Mb proteins in the ground state were studied (6 in total) using gas-phase and QM/MM calculations followed by LMA. Our results disclose that VET is indeed dependent on the position of the Trp probe relative to the heme group but also on the tautomeric nature of distal histidine. They provide new guidelines on how to assess noncovalent π interactions in proteins utilizing LMA and how to use these data to explore VET, and more generally protein dynamics and function.

Mitigation of Elephant Disturbance in Pemerihan Village, Bengkunat Sub-District, Pesisir Barat District

This study aims to describe the mitigation of elephant disturbance in Pemerihan Village, Bengkunat District, and West Coast District. The population in this study were all people who experienced disturbance by elephants in Pemerihan Village, Bengkunat District. The sample in this study was 52 families using a purposive sampling technique. Retrieval of data using questionnaires, observation, interviews, and documentation techniques. Data analysis using the Likert analysis technique. The results of the elephant disturbance mitigation research in Pemerihan Village are in a physical form by making guard towers, using below lights or large flashlights, and shooting firecrackers. Mitigation of elephant disturbance in the form of biology is carried out by making noise to drive the elephants away, keeping honey bees or bees ringing on the paths that are passed by elephants, and with the ERU (Elephant Responsive Unit). Mitigation of elephant disturbance in a social form is carried out by using tools that are used together to drive away elephants, forming a special task force (task force) to drive elephants into plantations and guarding plantation crops, using various sound devices such as spirit cannons and firecrackers.