Generally speaking I don't think you NEED to read Special Forces to get this one. What you miss is mostly the forming of a sexual relationship between our MC - ex-Marine Matthew Donahue "Matt" and Delta Force Hubert Bozic "Hooch", both being "acquaintances" of Dan and later on Vadim (the two MC in Special Forces). Yet along the plot of Vadim and Dan, both Matt and Hooch appear and it's obvious that something more is going between them especially after Hooch is being captured and badly injured.