The Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas (ODAs) are elite teams consisting of mature, intense, highly-trained operators. SF Operators receive specialized training in advanced weapons, language, demolitions, combat medicine, military free-fall, and advanced combat tactics. Special Forces Soldiers rely on stealth to do their jobs. Teams are organized in small, highly trained groups. This ensures maximum efficiency during a mission. Teams are made up of 12 men, called Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). Each team consists of a commander (officer), assistant commander (warrant officer), operations/intelligence sergeant and noncommissioned officer in charge, as well as two of each of the following: weapons sergeants, communications sergeants, medical sergeants and engineer sergeants. Each Soldier in an ODA is specially trained and cross-trained in different disciplines. The ODA is led by an 18A (Detachment Commander), a captain, and a 180A (Assistant Detachment Commander) who is their second in command, usually a Warrant Officer One or Chief Warrant Officer Two.

ODA - Composition. ODAs are made up of 12 men, each with a separate Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Each ODA member is cross-trained in other specialties.

A typical 12-man ODA comprises:

• 1 x Detachment Commander (18A)(Captain) The Commander is the team leader and is responsible for outfitting his ODA, organizing missions and briefing the unit on mission objectives.
• 1 x Assistant Detachment Commander (180A)(Warrant Officer 1 or Chief Warrant Officer 2) The Assistant Detachment Commander assists the ODA's Commander, ready to take over command if needed. If the ODA splits into two teams, as happened in Gulf War I, then the 180A commands the second team.
• 1 x Operations Sergeant (18Z)(Master Sergeant) The Operations Sergeant is responsible for the overall organization, functionality and training of an SF team. He makes sure the team is outfitted correctly and supports the ODA commander (18A).
• 1 x Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant (18F)(Sergeant First Class) This team member ensures that the team has all the equipment and supplies needed for the mission. He also gathers and analyzes mission-critical intelligence.
• 2 x Weapons Sergeants (18B)(Sergeant First Class / Sergeant) Weapons Sergeants are experts in a wide range of U.S. and foreign weapons systems, from pistols and to light artillery and anti-aircraft missiles
• 2 x Communications Sergeants (18E)(Sergeant First Class / Sergeant) SF Communications Sergeants are proficient in the gamut of radio communications equipment and techniques used in the field, everything from morse code to encrypted satellite transmissions and IT technology.
• 2 x Medical Sergeants (18D)(Sergeant First Class / Sergeant)
• Special Forces Medics are first-class battlefield trauma medical technicians as well as being proficient in more general medical care. The ability of SF medics to treat the medical problems of local populations is a valuable component of counter insurgency 'hearts and minds' operations.
• 2 x Engineering Sergeants (18C)(Sergeant First Class / Sergeant)  The Engineering Sergeants are the guys you go to when you want something built or destroyed. They are experts in explosive demolitions and can blow bridges, buildings and other structures to kingdom come. SF Engineers are also proficient in military and civil construction and can carry out a range of projects from fortifications to civil engineering tasks such as digging wells or building a schoolhouse.

ODA Teams: Several ODAs within a given Special Forces Group have a specialized designation that reflects its particular skill set with regards to infil/exfil method or specific role. These ODA team designations include:

• Military Free-Fall (MFF) Team - Free-Fall ODAs are trained to high standards in military parachuting, including High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) oxygen-assisted parachute insertion. All members of a MFF ODA will have gone through Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course (MFFPC). 2 members of a MFF Team will also have gone through the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster (MFFJM) course.
• Combat Diver Teams / SCUBA Teams - Special Forces Combat Diver Teams/SCUBA Teams / Dive Teams are trained in amphibious infiltration/exfiltration, including small boat ops and SCUBA diving. All members of a Combat Diver Team will have passed through the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course (SFCDQC) pipeline. SCUBA Teams will also include at least 2 members that have gone through the Special Forces Combat Diving Supervisor Course (CDSC) and 2 that have completed the Special Forces Combat Diving Medical Technician (CDMT) program.
• Mountain Team - Mountain ODAs have been trained in mountaineering and associated disciplines such as horsemanship and cold-weather operations.
• Mobility / Mounted Team - Mounted ODAs specialize in the use of the Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV).

Both Active Duty and National Guard ODAs are required to have a minimum of three jumpmasters, two SOTIC (level 1) Soldiers, two Advanced Special Operations Techniques ASOT (level III) Soldiers. Also, all SF Soldiers will be SFAUC and ASOT (level II) qualified. Additionally, each Special Forces detachment will have a qualified Air Movement Officer (AMO) and a Soldier qualified in handling hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

Of the six ODA team members in a typical Special Forces Company, one will be a SCUBA team, one will be a MFF team. The remaining four will either be non-specialised 'Ruck' teams or designated as Mountain ODAs, Mobility ODAs etc. The Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course (SFAUC) provides additional training to members of the Special Forces Operational Detachment "A" or ODA. Teamwill attend this training once you complete the Special Forces Qualification Course and are assigned to an ODA. SFAUC is usually conducted at the group level. Each of the seven Special Forces groups (5 active and 2 National Guard) conduct their own SFAUC program. This three to four week long course started in the early 2000s and was conducted at group level. All seven Special Forces groups run the course according to a Program of Instruction (POI) provided by USASFC.

SFAUC This three to four week long course started in the early 2000s and was conducted at group level. All seven Special Forces groups run the course according to a Program of Instruction (POI) provided by USASFC. SFAUC Instructors. Instructors for the SFAUC course at the groups were usually taken "out of hide". Meaning competent instructors were detailed from their ODAs (or staff positions) and assigned to be instructors on either a full- or part-time basis. All SF ODAs are required to attend SFAUC on a periodic basis. Usually three to six teams will attend a SFAUC course. The course length is about three to four weeks depending on the specific Special Forces group. In the past few years the Special Forces groups now have permanent cadre assigned to specialty courses such as SFAUC. Program of Instruction. SFAUC is run in several phases. The phases include flat range weapons firing, Close Quarter Combat (CQB), and shoothouse drills. Some SFAUCs will incorporate an end-of-course FTX or exercise where all the skills taught are used in a complex scenairo that involves mission planning, rehearsals, and infiltration by foot, vehicle movement, or air insertion. Breaching. The art of breaching security fences, Windows and doors are taught at SFAUC. There are a number of breaching tools that can be used such as crowbars, "quickie saws", shotguns, and more. Some Special Forces members attend specialized military and civilian schools to learn breaching techniques to complement the breaching methods they learn in SFAUC. There are generally two types of breaching - mechanical and explosive. Infiltration Techniques. During SFAUC teams will move to their target in a variety of ways to include helo insert, parachute infil, and fastroping. Equipment. In addition to learning about breaching equipment other specialized equipment is practiced with to include weapons accessories, night vision devices, and more.is run in several phases. The phases include flat range weapons firing, Close Quarter Combat (CQB), and shoothouse drills. Some SFAUCs will incorporate an end-of-course FTX or exercise where all the skills taught are used in a complex scenario that involves mission planning, rehearsals, and infiltration by foot, vehicle movement, or air insertion.

It's the old system to number the ODA and ODB (in application during the beginning of OEF and OIF) :

The first number refer to Group - Ex.: ODA 525 

• "0" refers to 10 Special Forces Group (example : ODA 074,...). 
• "1" refers to 1st Special Forces Group (example : ODA 172,...)
• "3" refers to 3rd Special Forces Group (example : ODA 373,...)
• "5" refers to 5th Special forces Group (examples : ODA 525, ODA 555,...)
• "7" refers to 7th Special Forces Group (example : ODA 774,...)

The second number is a combination between Battalion & Company (see below) - Ex. : ODA 525

• ////////Alpha ////////// Bravo /////////// Charlie [= Company]
• 1 = 1st Battalion / 2 = 1st Battalion / 3 =1st Battalion 
• 4 =2nd Battalion / 5 =2 nd Battalion / 6 =2nd Battalion 
• 7 = 3rd Battalion / 8 = 3rd Battalion / 9=3rd Battalion
• - third number is Team - Ex. : ODA 525
• 0 = ODB
• 1 = team 1 (ODA)
• 2 = team 2 (ODA)
• 3 = team 3 (ODA)
• 4 = team 4 (halo capabilities - ODA)
• 5 = team 5 (scuba/combat diver capabilites - ODA).

And at this point, you can also differentiate ODA and ODB :

• ODA = Operational Detachment Alpha / A-team. It's the basic SF unit.
• ODB (= Operational Detachment beta /B Detachment / B team / SFOD-B ) : it's SF company headquarters. For ODB, the last number is always "0"
• ODC = provides command and control, and staff planning and supervision for SF battalion operations and administration. 

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