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Special Forces Officers

SOC 55-1017.00Job Zone —v.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers security, order maintenance, count procedures, emergency response, and administrative documentation competencies within correctional and detention facility environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Inmate counts — conduct and record under direct supervision during scheduled count periods in an assigned housing unit.
  2. Institutional rules and regulations — review and apply basic protocols under close guidance in a correctional facility setting.
  3. Order and discipline — assist senior personnel in maintaining assigned area compliance in accordance with facility policies.
  4. Emergency procedures — recognize and report escape attempts or disturbances by following established response protocols.
  5. Active listening skills — demonstrate attentiveness when receiving instructions from supervisors during shift briefings.
  6. Written logs and reports — complete basic entry-level documentation using word processing software under supervisor review.
  7. Public safety awareness — identify potential security risks in familiar areas of the facility and escalate findings promptly.
  8. Inmate interaction — engage respectfully and clearly with individuals in custody following personal service and conduct guidelines.
  9. Database interfaces — enter required count and incident data into facility management software with supervisory assistance.
  10. Monitoring responsibilities — observe inmate behavior patterns in assigned areas and note irregularities for supervisor follow-up.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Periodic inmate counts — independently execute and verify scheduled and random headcounts across multiple housing units with minimal oversight.
  2. Policy compliance — apply institutional regulations consistently across routine situations without requiring direct supervision.
  3. Discipline and order maintenance — manage minor disturbances and enforce rules in assigned areas using established de-escalation techniques.
  4. Emergency response — respond to escapes or facility emergencies by executing the appropriate contingency plan in a timely manner.
  5. Critical thinking — evaluate evolving situations on the unit floor and select appropriate courses of action based on policy and precedent.
  6. Incident documentation — prepare clear, accurate incident reports using office suite and word processing software following each reportable event.
  7. Coordination with staff — collaborate with fellow officers during shift transitions to ensure continuous security coverage across the facility.
  8. Inmate behavior monitoring — track behavioral trends over time and flag early warning indicators of potential security threats to supervisors.
  9. Spreadsheet tools — maintain shift-level tracking logs and basic compliance records using spreadsheet software for supervisor review.
  10. Social perceptiveness — read interpersonal dynamics among inmates and adjust supervisory approach to reduce tension within the housing unit.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Inmate count integrity — oversee complex count procedures across multiple facility zones, resolving discrepancies and documenting findings autonomously.
  2. Regulatory enforcement — apply, interpret, and enforce the full range of institutional policies, including nuanced or edge-case situations, without guidance.
  3. Security operations — independently manage order, discipline, and safety across high-risk or volatile assigned areas during all phases of a shift.
  4. Emergency command — lead on-scene response to escapes, riots, or medical emergencies, coordinating personnel and resources until relief command arrives.
  5. Judgment and decision making — assess ambiguous security situations under stress and implement decisive, defensible actions that protect staff and inmates.
  6. Advanced report writing — author thorough investigative and after-action reports using word processing software for administrative and legal review.
  7. Staff coordination — orchestrate multi-officer responses to non-routine incidents, assigning roles and maintaining situational awareness throughout.
  8. Knowledge management — stay current on changes to law, government directives, and institutional policy and apply updates to daily operational practice.
  9. Technology proficiency — query facility database systems to retrieve inmate history, movement records, and prior incidents to inform security decisions.
  10. Training delivery — mentor newer officers by demonstrating correct count procedures, use of force protocols, and documentation standards during live shifts.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Facility security strategy — design and implement comprehensive security frameworks and operational protocols for an entire correctional institution.
  2. Policy development — author and revise institutional rules, procedures, and regulations to reflect evolving legal standards and best practices.
  3. Emergency preparedness leadership — develop, test, and refine mass-emergency response plans including escape scenarios, riots, and natural disasters.
  4. Organizational discipline culture — establish and sustain a facility-wide culture of order, integrity, and professional conduct among all security personnel.
  5. Executive decision making — resolve high-stakes, ambiguous security crises at the organizational level, balancing public safety, legal obligations, and staff welfare.
  6. Workforce development — build structured training programs and evaluation frameworks that systematically advance officer competency across all experience levels.
  7. Cross-agency coordination — lead collaboration with law enforcement, legal authorities, and government bodies during major incidents or policy implementation.
  8. Performance oversight — analyze facility-wide security metrics using database and spreadsheet tools to identify systemic risks and drive continuous improvement.
  9. Resource allocation leadership — direct staffing assignments, shift configurations, and equipment distribution to optimize security coverage across all facility zones.
  10. Institutional accountability — represent the facility in audits, legal proceedings, and governmental reviews, ensuring full compliance with law and public safety mandates.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted policy retrieval — uses an AI tool to look up and summarize institutional rules and procedural updates, then verifies outputs against authoritative documentation before applying them to daily enforcement duties Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Situational-report drafting — delegates initial drafting of after-action summaries and incident logs to an AI assistant, then reviews and corrects outputs for operational accuracy and chain-of-command compliance Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Threat-pattern monitoring — directs AI-enabled surveillance analytics to flag anomalies in inmate movement and behavioral data, then applies critical thinking and social perceptiveness to confirm or dismiss alerts before taking action Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Operational-briefing synthesis — tasks an AI assistant with aggregating multiple intelligence or situation reports into a consolidated briefing, retaining full authorship of the tactical assessment and command decision Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Human-judgment safeguarding — evaluates AI-generated risk assessments against real-time active listening and direct observation, ensuring no automated output substitutes for the command-level judgment required during emergencies or security breaches Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-tool integration oversight — assesses the suitability, limitations, and security implications of AI tools proposed for use within a Special Forces or correctional operations environment, then directs subordinates on appropriate versus prohibited applications Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 33
Augment share: 3.3%
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Active Listening
Score: 42.2 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Technology Use, Monitoring and Control
technology_use_monitoring_control
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication16 statements
Emerging
  1. Mission briefing reception — receives and repeats back operational orders to confirm understanding within team briefings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Host-nation interaction — attempts basic verbal communication with local populations using interpreter support during initial contact missions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Situation report drafting — produces standard SITREP formats under supervision, conveying unit status and activity to higher headquarters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Tactical vocabulary — uses standard military terminology and brevity codes during radio communications in training environments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Patrol debrief delivery — presents mission findings verbally and in written format to team leadership with accurate sequencing of events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interagency coordination communication — exchanges operational information clearly with adjacent units and interagency partners during joint planning cycles O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Indigenous partner instruction — delivers basic skills training to foreign military counterparts through interpreter, adjusting complexity to audience comprehension Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Intelligence report writing — composes detailed written assessments of human terrain and threat activity for submission to S2 sections O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Operations order delivery — presents complete five-paragraph operations orders to subordinate elements with clarity, accuracy, and tactical precision under time constraints Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Negotiations facilitation — conducts direct dialogue with local leaders and power brokers to achieve operational objectives without kinetic means O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-cultural messaging — adapts communication style, register, and content to diverse cultural contexts during foreign internal defense missions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Commander's intent articulation — conveys mission purpose and end state to dispersed elements operating in degraded communication environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Theater-level briefing — presents complex operational assessments and recommendations to general officers and civilian leadership with strategic framing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Doctrine authorship — produces written doctrine, TTPs, and lessons-learned publications that shape Special Forces communication standards across the force Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Multinational staff integration — leads communication across coalition partners of varying language proficiency and military culture during combined operations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Interagency spokesperson — represents Special Forces command interests in high-stakes interagency or diplomatic forums, translating military objectives into policy-relevant language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership16 statements
Emerging
  1. Small unit task leadership — assumes lead role for a section-level task during training exercises, coordinating movement and actions of two to four soldiers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer accountability modeling — holds self and teammates to standards of discipline and conduct during collective training events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. After-action facilitation — leads basic after-action reviews for own element, identifying what occurred and what should change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Team role ownership — executes assigned team specialty function independently, demonstrating responsibility for personal lane within the ODA O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. ODA task organization — assists team sergeant in task-organizing detachment assets and assigning responsibilities for mission execution O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship of junior soldiers — provides structured feedback and coaching to 18-series junior NCOs on technical and tactical development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mission rehearsal leadership — leads battle drill rehearsals ensuring all personnel understand actions at each phase and contingency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Indigenous force supervision — oversees conduct and performance of partner-nation soldiers during combined training events O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Detachment command — leads Operational Detachment Alpha in planning, preparation, and execution of unconventional warfare, direct action, or foreign internal defense missions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Decision authority in contact — makes real-time command decisions during enemy contact, directing fires, maneuver, and medical response simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Operational planning leadership — drives the military decision-making process for the team, integrating intelligence, logistics, and scheme of maneuver into a coherent plan O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Combat stress leadership — maintains team cohesion and performance standards during extended isolation, casualty events, and sustained operational tempo Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Company-level mission command — commands a Special Forces company across multiple simultaneous ODA operations in a complex operational environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Leadership development program design — architects assessment and selection frameworks, training pipelines, or evaluation systems that develop the next generation of SF officers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic influence leadership — leads by-with-through campaigns that shape partner-nation military culture and capability over a multi-year timeline O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Crisis leadership under strategic ambiguity — leads forces through politically sensitive missions where rules of engagement, command authority, and objectives shift dynamically Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition16 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-assessment after training — identifies personal knowledge gaps in individual specialty skills following evaluation events and documents development actions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cognitive load recognition — notices when information overload during planning cycles degrades decision quality and adjusts pace or delegation accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Learning strategy identification — selects study approach for new regional focus area or language requirement based on personal learning history Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Assumption logging — tracks own planning assumptions during mission analysis and flags them for validation before execution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Decision review practice — conducts personal after-action analysis of own decisions made during exercises, distinguishing process quality from outcome quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias recognition in intelligence analysis — identifies when confirmation bias or familiarity heuristics are affecting own threat assessment conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Language proficiency self-monitoring — tracks own foreign language decay and initiates remedial practice during non-deployment periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Planning cycle self-regulation — monitors own fatigue and cognitive performance during extended planning sessions, implementing recovery strategies to sustain judgment quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Tactical decision-making reflection — systematically reviews own command decisions after each mission rotation, extracting transferable principles for future application Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural competency gap analysis — assesses own regional and cultural knowledge against mission requirements and drives targeted self-development before deployment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mental model updating — revises own understanding of threat networks or partner-nation dynamics when new intelligence contradicts prior assessments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Performance under stress calibration — accurately predicts own cognitive and physical performance degradation under sleep deprivation and adjusts planning accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Metacognitive mentorship — teaches junior SF officers frameworks for monitoring their own decision-making processes during high-stakes operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational learning architecture — designs after-action review and lessons-learned processes that embed collective metacognition into unit culture Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic self-awareness — maintains accurate awareness of own professional strengths and blind spots when advising senior commanders on operational design Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Thinking-about-thinking instruction — develops and delivers curriculum on cognitive biases and decision quality for Special Forces pre-command courses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking16 statements
Emerging
  1. Threat indicator analysis — identifies and categorizes observable indicators of threat activity using standard intelligence formats during training scenarios Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mission variable assessment — applies METT-TC framework to evaluate mission, enemy, terrain, troops, time, and civilian considerations for assigned tasks O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence evaluation — distinguishes between confirmed intelligence and unconfirmed reporting when reviewing pre-mission intelligence products Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Assumption identification — lists and labels planning assumptions during course of action development, separating facts from inferences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Course of action analysis — evaluates multiple COAs against mission criteria, war-gaming each against likely enemy responses to identify optimal approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Information source credibility assessment — evaluates reliability and credibility ratings of human intelligence sources against corroborating signals or imagery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Rules of engagement analysis — interprets and applies ROE to ambiguous contact scenarios, reasoning through legal, ethical, and tactical constraints simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Pattern of life analysis — synthesizes multi-source intelligence over time to identify behavioral patterns in target networks O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Operational design reasoning — critiques proposed operational approaches against strategic objectives, identifying logical gaps and second-order effects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Gray zone problem analysis — analyzes ambiguous competition-space activities to distinguish between criminal, insurgent, and state-sponsored threat actors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Partner-nation capability assessment — objectively evaluates host-nation force readiness using structured criteria rather than relationship-based perception Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Intelligence-driven targeting — reasons through targeting packages, applying lethal and non-lethal criteria to ensure proportionality and mission alignment O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Campaign assessment design — constructs measures of effectiveness and performance frameworks that enable rigorous evaluation of unconventional warfare campaign progress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Red team leadership — leads adversarial thinking exercises that stress-test operational plans by challenging core assumptions from the enemy's perspective Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic intelligence critique — evaluates theater-level intelligence assessments for analytical rigor, source diversity, and alternative hypothesis consideration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Doctrine critical review — identifies logical inconsistencies or empirical gaps in existing Special Forces doctrine and proposes evidence-based revisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration16 statements
Emerging
  1. ODA task integration — contributes assigned specialty function to detachment planning process, coordinating actions with other team members to prevent redundancy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-functional deconfliction — coordinates movement plans with adjacent elements to avoid fratricide or mission interference O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Team equipment readiness — participates in collective gear checks and pre-mission rehearsals, ensuring individual lane contributes to team readiness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Shared situational awareness — contributes timely and accurate information to team common operating picture during exercise operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interagency task force collaboration — works alongside CIA, DEA, or State Department representatives in joint task force environments, aligning military actions with interagency objectives O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Combined arms coordination — synchronizes ODA actions with fire support, aviation, and civil affairs assets during combined arms rehearsals O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Host-nation force integration — builds functional working relationships with partner-nation counterpart officers to enable combined mission execution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Conflict navigation within team — addresses interpersonal or professional friction within the ODA through direct, respectful dialogue before escalation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Joint special operations task force coordination — operates within JSOTF structures, synchronizing ODA activities with other SOF elements, conventional forces, and enablers O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative mission planning — facilitates inclusive planning sessions where all ODA members contribute specialty knowledge to produce a superior plan Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Coalition SOF partnering — builds operational relationships with allied special operations counterparts, aligning tactics and procedures across national boundaries Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Civil-military operations teaming — collaborates with civil affairs and PSYOP units to integrate non-kinetic effects into combined campaign plans O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Whole-of-government campaign design — leads collaborative planning across military, diplomatic, intelligence, and development stakeholders to produce unified action plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. SOF-conventional force integration architecture — designs coordination mechanisms that enable seamless SOF support to conventional operations at the operational level O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Allied SOF capability development — builds long-term collaborative relationships with partner-nation SOF organizations, elevating their institutional capacity over multiple engagement cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Theater special operations command collaboration — integrates TSOC planning requirements across multiple geographic and functional commands to enable coherent campaign execution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character16 statements
Emerging
  1. Code of conduct adherence — applies law of armed conflict principles to scenario-based decisions during pre-deployment training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability for individual actions — reports own errors in training events accurately and without minimization to enable honest after-action learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Ethical conduct under observation — maintains professional standards and treatment of role-players and partner personnel during assessment and selection exercises Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Transparency in reporting — submits accurate mission reports without omission of unfavorable information to higher headquarters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Moral courage in dissent — voices professional disagreement with a proposed course of action through proper channels when ethical or tactical concerns warrant it Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Detainee treatment standards — enforces proper treatment of detainees and role-players during exercise scenarios in accordance with Geneva Convention principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cultural respect practice — demonstrates consistent respect for local customs, religious practices, and civilian dignity during foreign internal defense missions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Integrity under pressure — maintains accurate reporting and honest assessment of mission outcomes even when results do not support desired narrative Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical decision-making in ambiguous contact — applies proportionality and distinction principles to real-time targeting decisions in complex civilian environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability for team conduct — holds subordinate team members accountable for violations of ROE, LOAC, or unit standards regardless of operational pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Advisor integrity — provides host-nation partners with honest capability assessments rather than assessments shaped by relationship management interests Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Classified information stewardship — protects sensitive compartmented information and source identities with rigorous operational security discipline O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical command climate creation — establishes and sustains a unit culture where ethical conduct is non-negotiable and moral courage is publicly recognized Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. War crimes prevention leadership — designs pre-deployment ethics training and ROE enforcement mechanisms that prevent violations across the company or battalion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Integrity in strategic advisory roles — provides unvarnished military assessments to senior civilian and military leaders even when those assessments conflict with policy preferences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Character-based mentorship — develops junior officers' ethical reasoning capacity through case-based coaching on historical and contemporary special operations dilemmas Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity16 statements
Emerging
  1. Improvised solution generation — produces workable solutions to equipment shortfalls or terrain obstacles using available materials during field training exercises Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Alternative approach brainstorming — contributes non-standard course of action ideas during team planning sessions that challenge default tactical patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Adaptive communication design — creates simple visual aids or demonstrations to communicate technical skills to non-English-speaking partner-nation soldiers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Deception element incorporation — proposes basic deception measures during mission planning to complicate enemy situational awareness O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Unconventional warfare scheme design — develops irregular and asymmetric approaches to mission objectives that avoid enemy strengths and exploit vulnerabilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Influence activity design — creates culturally resonant influence approaches tailored to specific population segments within the area of operations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Training program adaptation — modifies standard training curricula to fit partner-nation cultural context, equipment constraints, and literacy levels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Reconnaissance route innovation — designs non-standard infiltration and exfiltration routes that reduce pattern predictability and signature O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Campaign design innovation — develops novel operational approaches that combine kinetic, informational, and diplomatic instruments in non-doctrinal configurations to achieve campaign objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Resistance network architecture — designs clandestine organizational structures and communication systems for underground resistance movements during unconventional warfare missions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Adaptive problem solving in isolation — generates viable solutions to mission-critical problems without access to higher headquarters support or standard resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Counter-network disruption design — creates creative targeting sequences that collapse threat networks through non-obvious node elimination strategies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Doctrine innovation — develops new special operations concepts, tactics, and frameworks that advance the state of the art in irregular warfare and counter-threat operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Operational art creativity — designs theater special operations campaigns that achieve strategic objectives through creative combinations of special operations activities across multiple domains Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional creativity facilitation — creates organizational conditions and processes within SF units that systematically generate and capture innovative tactical and operational ideas Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Strategic influence architecture — designs multi-year information environment campaigns that shape adversary and population behavior through layered, creative narrative strategies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset16 statements
Emerging
  1. Assessment feedback integration — receives critical evaluations during SFAS or SFQC training phases and adjusts performance based on cadre feedback without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Language study persistence — maintains consistent effort in foreign language acquisition despite slow early progress and frequent errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Physical setback recovery — returns to training with full commitment following injury or performance failure in selection pipelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Skill gap acknowledgment — openly identifies personal technical gaps in medical, engineering, or communications specialties and pursues remediation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. After-action learning application — translates specific lessons from mission debriefs into measurable changes in own planning or execution approach on subsequent operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Civilian skill integration — pursues education in regional studies, foreign language, or professional military education programs between deployments to expand competency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Failure normalization — treats mission or training failures as data points for improvement rather than indicators of fixed ability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Peer feedback seeking — actively solicits critical feedback from team sergeant and ODA peers on leadership and tactical performance between rotations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cross-domain skill development — voluntarily pursues training in adjacent special operations functions beyond own specialty to increase detachment versatility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional military education engagement — fully engages Command and General Staff College or School of Advanced Military Studies curriculum as a genuine intellectual development opportunity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Operational failure analysis — leads systematic analysis of unsuccessful operations to extract transferable lessons rather than attributing failure to external factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Adversity-as-teacher modeling — demonstrates publicly to subordinates that setbacks, mistakes, and criticism are sources of professional growth Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational learning culture creation — institutionalizes growth mindset norms within the battalion through deliberate recognition systems, after-action practices, and leader modeling Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuous doctrine evolution — treats each operational deployment as an opportunity to test, refine, and advance Special Forces doctrine and TTPs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentorship of resilience — coaches junior officers through career setbacks, failed evaluations, and difficult deployments using growth-oriented frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Personal mastery pursuit — engages in self-directed advanced study of strategy, irregular warfare history, and regional expertise throughout a career, beyond institutional requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness16 statements
Emerging
  1. Stress state recognition — identifies own physiological stress responses during high-pressure training events and applies basic regulation techniques before key decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Pre-mission mental preparation — conducts deliberate mental rehearsal of mission phases to build focus and reduce cognitive interference before execution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening in intelligence collection — maintains full attentional focus during human intelligence source interactions, suppressing distraction to capture critical details Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Emotional regulation in contact — maintains task-focused composure during simulated contact scenarios rather than reacting impulsively to chaos Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Situational awareness maintenance — sustains deliberate observation of environmental cues, personnel behavior, and threat indicators during extended operations without attentional drift Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Inter-personal attunement — reads emotional states and behavioral signals of host-nation partners and local populations to calibrate interaction approach in real time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Decision pause practice — inserts deliberate cognitive pause before major tactical decisions to prevent reactive judgment under time pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Sleep deprivation performance management — applies mindful attention management techniques to sustain critical decision quality during extended operations with minimal rest Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Combat mindfulness — maintains present-moment operational awareness during direct action missions, preventing fixation on casualties or prior events from degrading ongoing decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural environment reading — sustains heightened perceptual awareness of social dynamics, tensions, and behavioral anomalies in unfamiliar cultural settings throughout an operational rotation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Team emotional climate monitoring — maintains awareness of team morale, stress levels, and interpersonal tensions across the ODA during sustained deployment periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Negotiation presence — maintains full attentional presence during sensitive negotiations with local leaders, tracking verbal and non-verbal cues simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindfulness culture embedding — teaches attention regulation and emotional management practices to ODA members as performance-enhancing operational skills Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Strategic patience practice — sustains deliberate, non-reactive engagement with long-duration unconventional warfare campaigns where results are ambiguous and slow to materialize Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. High-stakes composure modeling — demonstrates consistent emotional regulation and intentional decision-making under catastrophic operational stress in ways that stabilize team performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Mindful leadership coaching — develops junior SF officers' capacity for present-moment awareness and emotional regulation as core leadership competencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude16 statements
Emerging
  1. Selection course perseverance — continues performance through physical and cognitive degradation during SFAS land navigation and rucksack march events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Discomfort tolerance — sustains mission-essential tasks during environmental extremes of temperature, terrain, and sleep deprivation in training environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Initial adversity response — maintains task focus and soldier bearing following a failed evaluation event and resets for subsequent performance assessments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Ambiguity tolerance — operates with incomplete orders and undefined objectives during unconventional warfare exercises without requiring excessive clarification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Extended operation sustainment — maintains effective planning and execution across multi-week field training rotations with cumulative physical and cognitive stress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Casualty event recovery — resumes mission command functions after simulated casualty events in training, preventing emotional shock from degrading continued execution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Isolation mission resilience — sustains operational effectiveness and team cohesion during extended periods of geographic and communications isolation in training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Repeated deployment endurance — re-engages fully in pre-deployment preparation and operational commitment across multiple combat rotation cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Combat operation resilience — maintains command effectiveness and subordinate welfare focus across sustained kinetic operations with ongoing casualties and mission uncertainty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Moral injury navigation — processes ethical complexity of operations involving civilian harm or mission failure without allowing moral distress to compromise continued effectiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Long-duration campaign perseverance — sustains operational effort and partner engagement across multi-year unconventional warfare campaigns with slow and ambiguous progress indicators Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Hostile environment command — maintains clear command judgment and team leadership function during high-threat operations where capture, isolation, or death are realistic outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Combat trauma leadership — guides subordinates through collective trauma of significant casualty events, maintaining unit cohesion and operational capability through recovery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional fortitude — sustains principled positions on military advice and operational ethics against organizational pressure or senior leader resistance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Career-long resilience modeling — demonstrates consistent courage and perseverance across a full Special Forces career including multiple combat tours, setbacks, and institutional challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Courage under strategic ambiguity — makes consequential operational decisions and accepts responsibility for outcomes in environments where strategic guidance is absent, contradictory, or politically constrained Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors38 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Advanced Seal Delivery System · Combatant Diver Officer · Combatant Diver Qualified (Officer) · Commanding Officer, Special Warfare Team · Control and Recovery, Combat Rescue · Control and Recovery, Special Tactics · Executive Officer, Special Warfare Team · Parachute/Combatant Diver Officer · Parachutist/Combatant Diver Qualified (Officer) · Sea-Air-Land Officer · Seal Delivery Vehicle Officer · Special Forces Officer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordination
Knowledge domains
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementPsychologyComputers and Electronics
Abilities
Problem SensitivityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningNear Vision
Work styles
DependabilityIntegrityStress ToleranceSelf-ControlCautiousnessAttention to Detail
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
  2. Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations,
  3. Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations
  4. Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
CIP education codes
28.050629.020129.020229.020329.040443.030443.040443.0407

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.