RAVEN ELEMENT — GENERAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

1. PURPOSE & SCOPE#

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) establishes the organizational structure, conduct standards, personnel management, training requirements, weapons employment doctrine, and dive operations protocols for the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24 STS), call sign RAVEN, operating under Bronze Squadron as a JSOC-attached special tactics element.

This SOP supplements — but does not replace — the Bronze Squadron General SOP. In all areas not addressed here, members will refer to the unit-wide SOP.

2. UNIT MISSION & IDENTITY#

The 24th STS provides specialized capabilities not organic to DEVGRU elements. RAVEN teams will deploy with, at minimum, the following qualified billets:

• Combat Controller (CCT)
• Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
• Special Reconnaissance (SR)
• Pararescue (PJ)

⚠ DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD: If these minimums cannot be met, RAVEN HQ will immediately notify COC that the 24th is not fit for deployment.

3. COMMAND & CONTROL#

RAVEN Chain of Command#

• Officer in Charge (RAVEN 6) — Officer
• Sr. NCO (RAVEN 7) — Sr. NCO
• Executive Officer (RAVEN 5) — Officer

Team Composition#

Rank Structure#

4. CODE OF CONDUCT#

Immersion Standard#

RAVEN maintains full-time immersion. Members will speak, act, and behave as if physically present in the AO at all times during operations and unit events.

Immersion Examples#

Professionalism — Los Professionales#

RAVEN OPERATORS WILL DEMONSTRATE:

• Professional bearing
• Clean gear and presentation
• Precise brevity
• Quiet confidence
• Results that speak for themselves

ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR:

• Lack of courtesy
• Unprofessional demeanor
• Failure to adapt
• Failure to follow commands

5. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS#

RAVEN elements will attend all unit events except training hosted by other elements unless excused by RAVEN HQ or the Bronze Squadron Command.

Minimum Deployment Roster#

For all FTX and Operations, RAVEN must field the following minimum personnel:

⚠ DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Failure to meet minimum deployment roster triggers immediate disciplinary review by RAVEN HQ.

6. PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT#

Onboarding & Selection#

Any member who completes Green Team and passes 90/90 Selection may declare for the 24th STS. Selection pipelines are managed by RAVEN HQ and activated based on billet availability.

• Selection classes based on billet availability
• Minimum class size: 2 candidates
• DEVGRU members may attend specialized 24th training
• RAVEN HQ may direct-select exceptional candidates directly to A1C Entry Level

Training Pipeline#

Onboarding Rank#

7. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS#

Each RAVEN team will conduct weekly team training. Combined team training satisfies Squad-level training requirements and counts toward periodic readiness certification.

⚠ TRAINING CREDIT: Attendance at DEVGRU Squad Training also satisfies the 30-day training requirement for all RAVEN elements present.

8. UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT STANDARDS#

Patch Placement#

General Appearance#

9. WEAPONS EMPLOYMENT SOP#

This section defines authorized weapons, conditions for employment, team requirements, ammunition limits, and mission-dependent restrictions for all RAVEN personnel. All weapons employment will conform to the standing orders below and applicable Rules of Engagement.

General Weapons Policy#

STANDING ORDERS:

• All weapons WILL be suppressed unless long-range precision fire requires otherwise.
• Unsuppressed fire requires IMMEDIATE notification to RAVEN HQ.
• All operators WILL carry a secondary weapon appropriate to their role.
• All weapons MUST be US-based platforms unless otherwise authorized by RAVEN HQ.

Heavy Anti-Personnel / Anti-Material Systems#

• M107A1 .50 CAL SEMI-AUTO

Standard Caliber Systems#

10. WEAPONS EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY TABLE#

11. COMMUNICATIONS ARCHITECTURE & NET ASSIGNMENTS#

CDD-Compatible Radio Systems#

All personnel will utilize CDD-compatible radios. GRS and RHS radios are NOT authorized for use within RAVEN elements or Bronze Squadron nets.

Radio Systems#

Communications Net Assignments#

Reference communications card for current net assignments.

12. ATTACHED FORCE OPERATIONS#

When operating alongside or attached to external forces (DEVGRU main body, Task Force elements, or allied units), RAVEN personnel will adhere to the following protocols without exception.

Operations & Command Integration#

13. DIVE OPERATIONS#

This section establishes dive mission doctrine, billet responsibilities, cylinder and decompression protocols, uniform standards, and emergency procedures for RAVEN elements conducting Combat Diver operations. All RAVEN personnel must hold or be working toward Combat Diver Basic (Level I) qualification per the Bronze Squadron Dive School SOP. Master Diver qualification is required for the STO, CCT, and any personnel designated as Dive Supervisor.

13.1 Cylinder & Air Systems (SWAG Infiltration 2.0)#

The SWAG Infiltration 2.0 mod governs air supply underwater. Cylinder selection is a planning decision — match the cylinder to the depth and duration of the dive profile and always maintain a minimum 20% reserve.

13.2 Air Management Basics#

• Air depletes faster the deeper you dive. Always plan against the shorter deep-water number, never the best case.
• The 3L and Twin Tanks behave identically — Twin Tanks simply hold twice the air for twice the weight.
• TriMix is never the default. Select it only when the dive profile genuinely requires depth below 20m.
• Dive fins increase underwater swim speed. Equip before water entry; stow during shore transition.

13.3 The Decompression Rule#

⚠ Surfacing without a required decompression stop is fatal. No timeline, mission, or command pressure overrides this requirement. Call ON STOP — Hold the stop — Call STOP COMPLETE — Then surface.

• As time is spent at depth, nitrogen accumulates in the bloodstream and creates a decompression obligation.
• Before surfacing from an obligated depth, pause at a decompression stop depth to off-gas nitrogen.
• Skipping a deco stop gives a maximum 60-second survival window — hard limit, no recovery once it closes.
• On operational dives, no system reminds you. Every diver tracks and manages their own obligation.
• When in doubt, stop and off-gas before ascending. STO has authority to extend or add stops. No one surfaces ahead of STO authorization during a group dive.

13.4 Dive Qualification Levels#

13.5 Role Responsibilities — Dive Missions#

The following defines each billet's duties across the dive mission lifecycle: planning, water phase, shore transition, and consolidation.

Special Tactics Officer (STO) — Element Leader#

MISSION PLANNING

• Serves as Mission Dive Planner. Responsible for the complete dive plan: cylinder selection with documented 20% reserve, route with depth bands and turn-points, decompression plan, Go/No-Go criteria, and emergency action plan.
• Conducts Go/No-Go brief with all RAVEN personnel prior to water entry. No dive commences without STO confirmation.
• Assigns buddy pairs and designates Dive Supervisor (self or CCT).
• Coordinates INFIL/EXFIL timing with ANVIL GFC and higher headquarters.

WATER PHASE

• Leads buddy pair or element formation underwater. Maintains position integrity and sets pace.
• Issues DEPTH CHECK and STATUS callouts at prescribed intervals.
• Manages own air and decompression obligation. Calls ABORT if element integrity or safety is compromised.

SHORE TRANSITION & CONSOLIDATION

• Confirms ASHORE status for all RAVEN personnel before transmitting to support.
• Conducts post-dive debrief with full element — no exceptions.
• Documents any decompression deviations or equipment anomalies in post-op report.

Combat Controller (CCT) — RAVEN 6#

MISSION PLANNING

• Assists STO with dive plan. Primary responsibility for airspace coordination if the dive includes or follows an airborne insertion (MFF/HAHO).
• Confirms radio and comms plan for underwater proximity communications and surface-to-support links.
• In the absence of the STO, assumes Dive Supervisor authority.

WATER PHASE

• Maintains buddy pair with STO or designated diver. Serves as secondary air and depth monitor for the element.
• Manages TriMix status and decompression obligation if below 20m (Master Diver requirement).
• Issues TRIMIX STATUS callout when applicable.

SHORE TRANSITION & CONSOLIDATION

• Establishes comms link with ANVIL and higher support upon ASHORE confirmation.
• Stows dive kit and assumes CAS coordination duties immediately upon transition — weapon ready before mask removal.

Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) — RAVEN 1#

MISSION PLANNING

• Coordinates CAS availability windows around the dive timeline. Ensures no CAS assets are tasked during the underwater infil window without GFC deconfliction.
• Carries a radio-capable loadout compatible with a dive kit — confirm waterproofing or stow plan before water entry.

WATER PHASE

• Operates as buddy pair member. TACP is NOT a CAS asset while underwater — no radio transmission attempts during the water phase.
• Monitors own air and decompression obligation. Calls STATUS on schedule.
• Stows all radio equipment per dive kit configuration brief. Nothing unsecured enters the water.

SHORE TRANSITION & CONSOLIDATION

• Immediately upon ASHORE — weapon ready, establish radio contact with supported GFC (ANVIL).
• Assumes CAS coordination duties. Transmits station time and available assets to ANVIL 6.
• For integration missions: matches ANVIL's uniform camo pattern on the land phase (see Section 13.5).

Special Reconnaissance (SR) — RAVEN 2#

MISSION PLANNING

• Coordinates surface/subsurface reconnaissance route with STO. Identifies objective reference points, observation posts, and covert landing zones from the dive terminal point.
• Plans shore transition to ensure immediate surveillance capability — optics and sensors secured and accessible.
• Confirms imagery/reporting requirements and reporting schedule with STO and higher.

WATER PHASE

• May operate as a buddy pair or small element depending on tasking. In split-element dives, SR buddy pair may conduct an offset approach to the objective area.
• Tracks navigation independently using compass and depth gauge. Arrives at assigned shore point within tolerances per dive school standard (Basic: 50m; Master: 15m).
• Maintains comms discipline underwater — no transmissions. STATUS on schedule.

SHORE TRANSITION & CONSOLIDATION

• Conducts covert shore transition. Establishes observation post at assigned position before transmitting ASHORE.
• Begins reporting cycle immediately — SR is the eyes on the objective. Reports feed back to STO and ANVIL through CCT/TACP comms chain.
• Maintains position until extracted or released by STO.

Pararescueman (PJ)#

MISSION PLANNING

13.4 Role Summary — Dive Phase Quick Reference#

Pre-Mission Planning Phase#

• Serves as the element's CSAR and medical asset. Ensures a medical plan exists for diving casualties — decompression sickness, hypoxia, near-drowning.
• Confirms casualty evacuation route from the dive release point with STO.
• Pre-positions or identifies nearest treatment capability for dive-related injury (altitude DCS if combined MFF + dive mission).

Water Phase#

• Pairs as buddy diver. Maintains heightened situational awareness of all element personnel — monitors buddy and observes other pairs for distress signals.
• Trained to recognize underwater distress indicators. If a diver shows AMBER or RED status without callout, PJ closes immediately.
• Carries any dive-capable medical kit per the equipment manifest. Nothing in kit may compromise buddy pair buoyancy or mobility.

Shore Transition & Consolidation#

• Conducts a rapid post-dive wellness check on all personnel — decompression illness symptoms, cold exposure, physical injury.
• Reports any medical concerns to STO before the element moves to the objective.
• Remains integrated with the element throughout the land phase. PJ is never split from the element unless specifically tasked for CSAR hold-back.

13.5 Uniform & Camouflage Standards — Dive Missions#

Ranger Green and Multicam Black are AUTHORIZED for all RAVEN personnel on dive missions during the in-water phase. Standard camo patterns govern the land phase as specified below.

In-Water Phase — Specific Guidance#

• Ranger Green and Multicam Black are authorized for the in-water phase as they provide low-visibility profile in coastal, littoral, and freshwater environments.
• Where a wetsuit or drysuit is available, black neoprene is the preferred in-water layer. Camo pattern worn underneath is at the diver's discretion within authorized patterns.
• Dive fins, mask, and SWAG cylinder loadout are mandatory. No pattern restriction applies to dive equipment.

Land Phase — Transition#

• Upon ASHORE, RAVEN personnel revert to the standard camo pattern appropriate to the operational environment per the table above.
• TACP (RAVEN 1) will conform to the supported GFC (ANVIL) uniform pattern for integration and identification purposes.
• No camo change is required if Ranger Green or Multicam Black is worn and is appropriate for the land environment — use judgment and STO guidance.

Night Operations#

• No additional camo change required for night ops. IR compliance (patch/flag placement) is mandatory per Bronze Squadron standard uniform policy.
• No white lights until the element has cover and STO authorizes — regardless of shore transition timeline pressure.

13.6 Verbal Communications — Underwater Callouts#

All underwater communication is via proximity chat. Callouts are how your buddy pair stays coordinated and alive. If a callout is not acknowledged within 5 seconds, close distance and repeat. Silence means a lost-buddy situation.

13.7 Safety Standards & Emergency Actions#

The following apply to all RAVEN personnel on every dive mission regardless of qualification level.

Decompression Compliance#

Skipping a required decompression stop is a fatal error. No timeline or mission pressure overrides the deco stop requirement. Call ON STOP. Hold the stop. Call STOP COMPLETE. Then surface.

• STO has authority to extend or add decompression stops. No one surfaces ahead of STO authorization during a group dive.
• O2 AMBER called: begin controlled ascent with a decompression stop.
• O2 RED called: survival takes priority over deco stop — immediate ascent.

Lost Buddy#

• Call LOST BUDDY, [callsign] immediately. Both divers hold position and call STATUS.
• If no contact within 60 seconds, surface (with deco stop if obligated) and notify Dive Supervisor.
• STO makes the call on abort versus continue. No one continues the dive alone.

Abort Authority#

• Any RAVEN member may call ABORT without penalty or question. ABORT triggers a controlled ascent, decompression stop, and element hold pending Dive Supervisor decision.
• STO confirms the abort and directs EXFIL. Post-dive debrief documents the abort condition — no punitive action follows a safety abort.

Altitude — Combined MFF + Dive#

If the dive follows an airborne insertion above 1,000m: SOLR Mask and Personal O2 Bottle are required in inventory before the jump, or death from altitude hypoxia will occur.

• Stow altitude kit and configure dive kit before water entry. STO confirms both kits at the Go/No-Go brief.
• This applies to Master Diver-level combined operations only.