SOT-A

A SOT-A (Special Operations Team-Alpha) is a signals intelligence–electronic warfare (SIGINT-EW) element of the United States Army Special Forces.[1][2][3][4][5]

They are low-level SIGINT collection teams that intercept and report operational and technical information derived from tactical threat communications through prescribed communications paths. The mission of a SOT-A is to conduct SIGINT/EW in support of information operations (unilaterally or in conjunction with other Special Operations Forces (SOF) elements) to support existing and emerging SOF missions worldwide.[1][3][5]

SOT-A's are the direct descendants of the Army Security Agency's Special Operations Detachments (USASASODs).[1][5]

Capabilities

SOT-A team members can operate in remote, denied areas much like SFODA members. In addition to their linguistic, international Morse code (IMC) and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques and are certified in the same basic skills as SFODAs. However, SOT-As are rarely certified in advanced SOF skills such as underwater operations (UWO) or military free-fall (MFF).[1][3][5]

SOT-As can detect, monitor, and exploit threat communications through communications transmission intercept and direction finding. SOT-As also can deploy with Special Forces Operational Detachments-A (SFODAs or A-teams) to provide SIGINT support for contingency, direct action, force protection, MTT support, or unconventional warfare. These functions may require SOT-As to:[1][3][5]

  • Deploy with a SFODA.
  • Deploy independently and then join a deployed SFODA.
  • Operate independently or with other SOT-As.
  • Operate and train on advanced collection equipment provided by national intelligence agencies.

Insertion/Extraction Techniques

SOT-A team members can operate in remote and denied areas. In addition to their linguistic and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques.[5]

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
  • Foreign languages
  • Morse Code intercept (>20 GPM)
  • Analysis and reporting

Advanced training

Advanced training may include:

Organization

According to a 2001 field manual, there is one SIGINT section with six SOT-A per each Special Forces Group. A SOT-A team consists of four members.[1]

References
  1. "FM 3–05.102 Army Special Operation Forces Intelligence" (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army. 31 August 2001. pp. Glossary-23.
  2. Cyber Soldier took up the gauntlet…and enjoyed it, U.S. Army, by Steven Stover (780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber)), dated 28 December 2017, last accessed 18 August 2023
  3. Enlistment and Training Information, 19th Special Forces Group (A) Utah; Special Forces Support, Special Operations Team Alpha SOT-A (page 28), Special Forces Recruiting, dated October 2016, last accessed 18 August 2023
  4. The Best ODA / SOT-A Assessment, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by SGT Carolina Sierra [7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)], dated 5 May 2022, last accessed 18 August 2023
  5. Tactical Signals Intelligence with SOT-A | Clayton Jensen | Ep. 179, The Team House YouTube Channel, dated 9 December 2022, last accessed 18 August 2023


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