Been working on a special forces character who focuses on melee hand to hand attacks and point blank ranged light weapons and has martial arts that would show in the form of dodge amd side step. What specializations would you recommend to get the most of this? Was looking at creating a specialization if needed but would there be two specializations combined that would really work well.

Soldier with Commando is the most basic way to get such a character. Dodge and Sidestep are a little harder to fit in, but they really aren't entirely needed.

Trying to go with a close combat specialist who has advanced martial arts training and is a good shot in point plank range. Thinking skills to be Athletics, Coordination, Discipline, Stealth, Brawl, and Ranged light

I'd go soldier/commando/sharpshooter. Maybe check out the smuggler/gunslinger once Fly Casual drops or some other spec that has sidestep or dodge. Or dip into marauder for more melee goodness.

For a close combatant that adds in some covert aspects (along with amazing Strain recovery), I recommend starting in the Soldier career with the Commando specialization and then taking Saboteur as a second specialization.

Have you considered Spy:Infiltrator?

Lots of ninja skills and talents on that spec. Stealth, Melee, Dodge, Defensive Stance, Stunning blow, Frenzied attack, Knockdown.

Pair it with "The Recruit" for things like Athletics, Basic Combat Training, Quickdraw, and Creative Killer and you're probably right on the money for your concept.

I'd say go with Infiltrator or Commando, and ask if you can take Edge's Marauder as a secondary spec.

For a close-combat specs ops type, I came to the same conclusion as Ghostofman...Spy: Infiltrator with Universal Recruit to get the extra combat training.

I know this isn't the OP's intent, but a true Special Forces soldier would be a Commander: Tactician and branch out into Agitator and maybe Saboteur. At least in U.S. DoD parlance, Special Forces (a specific unit and mission set) is not the same as Special Operations (a much broader term).

Yeah, I assuming by the description he's referring to the old rebel alliance interpretation, specifically the Infiltrator regiment.

I have a few suggestions for you

1) sharpshooter put 1 deadly accuracy in ranged light and the other in brawl

2) career:spy starting spec:recruit technically it's not raw but it's not game breaking and it will get you a lot of what you want

3) a custom spec I made

http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/130366-custom-spec-soldierspec-ops/

Which you might want to mix with the custom spy:agent version 8 spec

http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/130157-custom-spec-spyagent/page-2

With those two specs you can get a "decent" James Bond (bond flavor: Daniel Craig mixed withPeirce Brosnan) or Jason Bourne

Been working on a special forces character who focuses on melee hand to hand attacks and point blank ranged light weapons and has martial arts that would show in the form of dodge amd side step. What specializations would you recommend to get the most of this? Was looking at creating a specialization if needed but would there be two specializations combined that would really work well.

I might start with Spy: Infiltrator, then pick up the Scoundrel specialization and just buy straight down the right side of the tree. If you are willing to start play with the Scoundrel spec, you could play it as an interesting character development piece...perhaps you were a smuggler in a "former life," but you've since cleaned up, cut all underworld ties, and are living, eating, and breathing the Rebel Alliance. OR, say if you start as a human, just use one of your free non-career skills to pick up Ranged (Light) first, and then grab Scoundrel after your first session to make it an official career skill! Use your other non-career skill to pick up a rank in Brawl if you need it.

With 135 XP, these two trees would net you the following:

Rapid Reaction

Quick Strike 2

Side Step 2

Dodge 2

Defensive Stance 2

Jump Up

Quick Draw

AND, let's not overlook the synergy with the incredible Soft Spot talent: buy it for 10 XP in Infiltrator, cross it off the Scoundrel's tree where it sits at 25 XP for an easier time getting at some useful social or stealthy talents.

Plus, Frenzied Attack and Stunning Blow make you such the versatile hand-to-hand fighter.

At any rate, make sure you get that Cunning up to 4 in short order and you should be sitting pretty. The only thing this lacks is Brawl as a career skill, but with the Infiltrator talents being what they are, I don't think you'll miss it too much.

For an unconventional build, but one that totally fits your bill, you could go Commander: Tactician and then pick up the Infiltrator spec. I see this as a desk jockey who has been taking night lessons, and finally gets to see some action.

Or, if you will, the "Agent Coulson."

First, you'll need a decent Brawn and Agility score of 3 to reflect your physical conditioning. Nothing to sneeze at, but nothing overtly awesome. Spend another 30 XP for Cunning 3 to reflect your shrewd nature.

Take free ranks in the Cool, Ranged (Light), Brawl, Discipline x2, and Vigilance skills. Free ranks in Melee and Deception (because, why not?). With the remaining 20 XP from being Human, pick up Side Step and Swift because they are both cool. Bank 5 XP.

Soon as you have 30 XP, blow it on the Infiltrator specialization, and then go nuts.

Don't forget that 'Recruit' adds some ability to flesh out in some combat skills that wouldn't be covered by the Soldier specializations.

So you could go Infiltrator / Recruit and come out with a pretty good 'Commando'