The Five (US) Special Operations Forces Truths:

1. Humans are more important than hardware.
2. Quality is better than quantity.
3. Special Operations Forces cannot be mass produced.
4. Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur.
5. Most special operations require non-SOF assistance (forgotten since 1989(ish), but resurrected in 2009).

Adapted from the SOF Imperatives noted in a 1987 report for a House Armed Services Committee, United States and Soviet Special Operations, by retired US Army Colonel Johns Collins working in the Congressional Research Service.

A publicly available, online copy of the report can be found here.

Reference

Caruso, M. (2011) SOF Truths…Relationships Truly Matter. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/tabid/138/Article/163618/sof-truthsrelationships-truly-matter.aspx. [Accessed: 13 December, 2015].