Special warfare officer was an occupational specialty designator given to Starfleet officers qualified to serve in Military Assault Command Operations, or MACO, units.
As line officers, special warfare officers were entitled to command MACO units in the field, and trained in operations such as orbit-to-surface insertions and to clear landing zones. (Bait and Switch: The Wrong Reflection)
Captain Kanril Eleya held a secondary certification as a special warfare officer in addition to her primary designator of space warfare officer. (Bait and Switch: "All In", "Two Sides of a Coin, Part I")
- The term and concept of the special warfare officer is based on the designator used by officers of the United States Navy SEALs.