By default the rank when you start the campaign (offline game play) is set to LIEUTENANT. This will allow now you to unlock characters and other items quickly, therefore you should PLAY AS COMMANDER straight away.

Simply select this rank when you go to start new campaign. This will allow you to play the game only 3 times for all available SOCOM 3 unlockables, instead of 4 times!

When playing offline you will need to tell your team, at the start of each level/restart to 'fire at will' else they will hold fire and not shoot the enemy. It's easy to forget this, and although your team appear not to do much, they can be useful at times, so make sure you remember!

You will need to complete this game THREE times all together to get all SOCOM 3 items and characters unlocked that you can.

The first time you will unlock a new rank (CAPTAIN), you must then play this and unlock another rank (ADMIRAL), and then you must complete this for the final locked items/characters.

To unlock every single character for online use you will be required to complete SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo (PSP Version) or sync with someone who has a copy.

By default weapons do not have a scope equipped. You will need to equip these separately when setting up your teams weaponry if they do not have one already, or you move away from the pre-set weapons.

You can complete a 'Training Mission' which will helpfully, yet annoyingly, pop-up hints and tips and info every other step you take to help you get to know SOCOM 3's controls, weapons, vehicles and other things. It's advisable to participate in this at least once to learn the basic differences between SOCOM 3 and previous titles.

This also unlocks one of the characters for you.

All the weapon suggestions are that, suggestions. You don't have to take them. Also, I often suggest DOUBLE AMMO, but you don't really need this, so feel free to replace this with other items along the way.

Don't know what mission you're on? When you are in the briefing for the mission look at the overview section (first screen) and the mission is noted here (see the screenshot above, where the mission is in the red square).