Silent Soldiers: Inside Vietnam’s Secret War MACV SOG
Did you know that there was a secret war in Vietnam with silent soldiers? Come find out about this secret war and the MACV SOG Unit that conducted clandestine warfare.
Michael P. Bielas
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,062)
Rising Star
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
This three week class provides an in-depth exploration of the political landscape and underlying causes of the Vietnam War, with a special focus on the covert operations of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). Students will learn about the silent soldiers of this elite unit, their classified missions, and the tactics they employed in clandestine warfare across Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Key topics include: The geopolitical and military reasons behind the Vietnam War The role and missions of MACV-SOG in the Secret War Weapons, tactics, and covert operations Secret incursions into Laos and Cambodia To enhance learning, students will receive a Vietnam military acronym guide with maps to aid in understanding key terms and locations. Short videos will provide additional historical context, and the instructor will foster an engaging, interactive environment with questions and discussions. This class is discussion-based with no assigned homework, using PowerPoint presentations to guide learning. Students are encouraged to download the provided document for easy reference during the course.
Learning Goals
Gain a deeper understanding of the political landscape and the reasons behind U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.Learn about the covert operations conducted during the war, including their strategic importance and impact.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental Guidance: This class contains historical content that may not be suitable for sensitive students. Discussions will cover real-world covert operations, combat, injuries, death, and the high-risk missions undertaken by the MACV-SOG unit. While the instructor has omitted the most graphic details and language, the material is best suited for mature students.
Additionally, the course will use original source documentation, including historical naming conventions for Indigenous groups. These terms reflect the language used in the original records, not the instructor’s usage.
Supply List
There is a military acronym list with a map the student should download to follow along with in the class.
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Resources:
The Pentagon Paper, The Secret History of the Vietnam War: Published by the New York Times, Neil Sheehan, 1971
Hunting the Jackal: Billy Waugh with Tim Keown, HarperCollins Publishers, 2004
SOG Kontum, Top Secret Missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia 1968-1969: Joe Parnar and Robert Dumont, Casemate Publishers, 2022
On the Ground, The Secret War in Vietnam: John Stryker Meyer and John E. Peters, Published by Levin Publishing Group LLC, 2007
U.S. Army MACV SOG: https://www.army.mil/article/216498/macv_sog_history Air Force FAC: https://sogsite.com/air-force-fac/#:~:text=In%20Southeast%20Asia%2C%20Air%20Force,with%20targets%20over%20the%20battlefield.
Joined September, 2017
4.9
1062reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Arizona Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree from Embry Riddle University
As a 20-year retired military Air Force officer, I have worked with special operators and on special operation missions. Additionally, I enjoy teaching military history and teaching anything science related.Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly1x per week, 3 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-9 learners per class
