Special Presentation: Behind Enemy Lines: The Men and Guns of SOG

by
posted on April 25, 2019
behind-enemy-lines.jpg

MACV-SOG - the Vietnam War's covert operations unit-inserted small teams deep behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia along the heavily defended Ho Chi Minh Trail highway system. At times outnumbered 100-to-1, to accomplish these top secret hazardous missions, SOG's Green Berets developed specialized weapons, tactics and techniques which proved so effective that many are used by today's Special Forces. This presentation includes a fascinating variety of suppressed weapons, unusual explosive devices, diversionary devices and formerly classified sabotage materials.

Major John L. Plaster, USA (Ret.), is an authority on sniping and special operations and the author of eight books, including The Ultimate Sniper, the world’s most-used sniper training handbook. As a Special Forces “Green Beret” NCO, he served three years with the Vietnam War’s top secret covert operations unit, MACV-SOG, leading intelligence gathering teams deep behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia. Plaster was wounded once, decorated for heroism four times, and received a direct commission. Since 1983 he has instructed hundreds of military and police snipers. An inductee into the Halls of Fame for both the U.S. Army Special Forces, and the USAF Air Commando Association, Maj. Plaster has appeared in a dozen documentaries for the History Channel, Discovery Channel and British television, and continues to work on firearms-related research.​

Latest

Breechloading Jenks
Breechloading Jenks

William Jenks & His Early Breechloaders

Along with John Hall, William Jenks was an early pioneer in the realm of the breechloading carbine. However, Jenks' breechloading guns didn't see the widespread acceptance or fame of the Model 1819 Hall Rifle and its later carbine variants.

MidwayUSA Foundation Raises Record-Breaking Amount For Youth Shooting Teams

In just a single day, a record-breaking $168,770 was generated to support youth shooting sports at the fourth annual Day of Clays hosted by the MidwayUSA Foundation in Minnesota.

2025 Handgun Of The Year: Colt Blued Python

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Rifleman Review: Kimber KDS9c

Kimber's KDS9c is one of only a few double-stack, M1911-style handguns on the market that are expressly designed for concealed carry in mind.

New For 2025: CVA Optima V3

CVA's mid-point Optima muzzleloader got a refresh in 2025, and this third-generation model offers a number of additional features while still remaining affordable.

From Paper Cartridge To PMAG: 250 Years Of U.S. Infantry Ammunition

Any survey of military firearms isn’t complete without also discussing the development of ammunition across this past quarter-millennium. From a conceptual standpoint, very little has changed.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.