WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Pentagon is calling for its Special Operations Forces of 52,000 troops to be bolstered to their highest levels since the Vietnam War.
In its as yet unpublished Quadrennial Defense Review, sources told the Washington Post that one of the largest gains would be in Army Special Forces, or Green Berets -- soldiers trained in languages and navigating foreign cultures that work with indigenous forces and operate in 12-man "A-teams."
Also included in the elite category are Delta Force operatives, Rangers, and Navy SEALs.
The ranks of Delta Force operatives, who work in covert "special mission units" tracking the most valued military targets such as terrorist leaders, will also grow by about one-third, officials said. Army Rangers, highly trained infantry troops, will gain three companies, or more than 400 troops.
Publication of the QDR was timed for release along with the fiscal 2007 budget on Feb. 6, the newspaper said.
