The War on Terror has been rough on the Special Forces. Not a lot of casualties, but there has been lots of time overseas in the last two years. Many are being sent home from Iraq after being out of the country for most of the last two years. Some of the Special Forces troops who served in Afghanistan, were also put to work in Iraq. That was because the 5th Special Forces Group (which covers the Middle East and Afghanistan) has most of the Arabic speaking troops. Because many al Qaeda members in Afghanistan were Arabs, the 5th Group Arabic speakers were in demand there. Special Forces A Teams have been rotated back to the United States for a month or so of rest and training over the last two years. Troops from other groups have been transferred over to the 5th Group for the Middle East and Afghan operations, but there's just not enough Special Forces operators to deal with current operations. Recruiting is a long term solution, as it takes at least two years to train a minimally competent Special Forces trooper.