SOT-A

Hoorex · 09-15-2007, 17:26

I've searched both the forums and the internet and can't find a clear answer. What exactly is an SOT-A and what do they do?

**Kyobanim** · 09-15-2007, 17:34

This Google search returns http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=sot-a

Upon reading the returns, you will find this:
http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/SOT-A
Further searching will return other answers.
Google practice is in order.

Radar Rider · 09-15-2007, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoorex

I've searched both the forums and the internet and can't find a clear answer. What exactly is an SOT-A and what do they do?

WHAT do you want to know and WHY do you need to know it?

**Team Sergeant** · 09-15-2007, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoorex

I've searched both the forums and the internet and can't find a clear answer. What exactly is an SOT-A and what do they do?

RR and Kyo, down boys!

Thats a good question....... After spending 20 years in the service, 17 in Special Forces, I'm still trying to figure out the answer to your question.

When you find out let me know.

TS

abnremf · 10-11-2007, 03:03

Quote:

I've searched both the forums and the internet and can't find a clear answer. What exactly is an SOT-A and what do they do?

Their "true" talents are classified. I will tell you that 90% of the time they eat your chow, occupy space in your team house and waste bandwidth populating their "I'm a cool guy" myspace websites. 10% of the time they are absolutely invaluable to what we do and are an effective force multiplier. I don't tell them that however. I focus more on the fact that they steal all of the shrimp before I get to the chow hall on steak and shrimp night.

**The Reaper** · 10-11-2007, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoorex

I've searched both the forums and the internet and can't find a clear answer. What exactly is an SOT-A and what do they do?

I got 15 hits here using the Search button in the upper right hand corner. Have you read them all yet? I believe that a thinking man could figure it out from those posts and a google search.

We are not going to discuss classified information here.

A recruiter may also be able to help.

Good luck.

TR

triguy18e · 10-11-2007, 06:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by abnremf

Their "true" talents are classified. I will tell you that 90% of the time they eat your chow, occupy space in your team house and waste bandwidth populating their "I'm a cool guy" myspace websites. 10% of the time they are absolutely invaluable to what we do and are an effective force multiplier. I don't tell them that however. I focus more on the fact that they steal all of the shrimp before I get to the chow hall on steak and shrimp night.

Everything you said is very true! It was so bad at our Team House we put an internet capable PC in the commo room so they would stand our radio watches. Worked out pretty well.

M

jbour13 · 10-11-2007, 11:56

Thanks to all for maintaining Professional Etiquette concerning this matter. I showed one of mine this question yesterday and he looked at me and just shook his head.

Hoorex, I'm in the know, and I still don't know it all, because I don't need to.

V/R
SSG B

82ndtrooper · 10-11-2007, 13:44

I Googled "SOT-A" and came up with "Special Operations Team-Alpha.

I can read between the lines especially if their eating first in the chow hall line.

It's a "need to know thing" and I dont need to know.

Surgicalcric · 10-11-2007, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by triguy18e

...It was so bad at our Team House we put an internet capable PC in the commo room so they would stand our radio watches...

Same thing here... And thats all they do.

Crip

**The Reaper** · 10-11-2007, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surgicalcric

Same thing here... And thats all they do.

Crip

As far as you know.

Maybe they wait till you are all out in the boonies or asleep to do whatever it is the Army pays them for.

TR

**Pete** · 10-11-2007, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surgicalcric

Same thing here... And thats all they do.

Crip

Ah, Crip;

You are young and new to this world son. After serving with them many times they will hold the secret induction rites where you will be introduced to the "First Level of Knowledge". After that they will allow you to carry their rucksack every now and again.

Handy people they are, never leave home without them I always said.

Pete

Para · 10-11-2007, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Ah, Crip;

You are young and new to this world son. After serving with them many times they will hold the secret induction rites where you will be introduced to the "First Level of Knowledge". After that they will allow you to carry their rucksack every now and again.

Handy people they are, never leave home without them I always said.

Pete

They are an invalable asset if utilized properly. If you are getting nothing out of them, you need to find out why and it will usually fall into one of two categories. One, they believe the hype that they are force feed and they are too cool for school. Often the result of using a broad and inappropriately placed security classification over their duties and responsibilities. If this is the case, someone with some tact needs to sit them down and explain that we are all on the same side trying to accomplish the same goal. If they continue to operate under the preception that they are an independent entity who does not need to or can not interact with the ODA who is sustaining them, then you can cut them off from the net and let them eat MRE's and drink bottled water or speak with their next level up and see if they can explain it to them. The second reason they may not be assisting in the fight is from a technical point of view. They do not know how to be employed which is common with LLVI's or they are overwelmed. Once again, this situation requires someone sitting them down and mentoring them.

I have worked with them on multiple occassions. We have had to almost kick a team off the firebase because the NCOIC could not get it through his thick skull. If we want to talk about this in a little more detail without getting into the "need to know stuff" we should have this conversation in private.

Surgicalcric · 10-11-2007, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Ah, Crip;

You are young and new to this world son. After serving with them many times they will hold the secret induction rites where you will be introduced to the "First Level of Knowledge". After that they will allow you to carry their rucksack every now and again.

Handy people they are, never leave home without them I always said.

Pete

SGM:

I did not mean to suggest, by my comment, that what our SOT-A is doing is all they do but more so that our guys are standing radio watch for us as well.

Hopefully that clears it up a bit.

Crip

abnremf · 10-12-2007, 03:54

Tri guy, I was at your old team house a week or so ago. Still looks the same by the way. I told the SOT-A NCOIC last night that people on the net were asking about them. In his typical manner he pauses, reflects, spits copenhagen into his empty gatorade bottle and says "so is the jig up? do people now officially know we're worthless?" He's priceless.