I view the issue of special operations forces (SOF) culture and climate through the lens of what the nation asks of its SOF, which shapes who they are and what they do. SOF are a unique asset to serve national security interests. As the array of assigned missions in Title 10 U.S. Code Section 167 indicates, SOF are relatively flexible which places considerable responsibility on policymakers to carefully determine their appropriate uses. This challenge is compounded at ...Read more >

Nations have a variety of options for exerting influence, such as through diplomatic, military, or economic means. In recent years, some nations have shifted to more ambiguous activities for exerting global influence, in attempts to achieve benefits normally obtained through conventional war, but without triggering such a war. A variety of evolving terms describe this shift, including “ambiguous warfare,” the “Gray Zone,” and “competition short of armed conflict.” Regardless of ...Read more >

Our near-peer competitors, leveraging emerging trends in science, technology, and the information environment, have invested in strategies and capabilities to challenge the U.S. and remake the global order. They employ innovative approaches to contest U.S. and allies interests in all domains, the electromagnetic spectrum, and information environment. They often seek to attain their goals through ambiguous actions taken below the threshold of armed conflict. In armed conflict, advances in ...Read more >

Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Inhofe, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for providing this opportunity to discuss the posture of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). I am proud to testify alongside Mr. Christopher Maier, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC)), and General Paul Nakasone, Commander of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). The unwavering support of ...Read more >

For almost 30 years, the activities of the Dutch Special Operations Forces (NLD SOF) took place primarily in the context of promotion of the international legal order. NLD SOF must now adapt to a significantly changed security environment and shift their focus to collective defense and domestic security. The advent of the digital and cognitive dimension as critical spheres of conflict requires the transformation of ends, ways and means of NLD SOF. As budgets are limited, priority setting ...Read more >

Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations and, in recent years, have been given greater responsibility for planning and conducting worldwide counterterrorism operations. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has about 70,000 Active Duty, National Guard, and reserve personnel from all four services and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians assigned to its headquarters, its four service component commands, and eight sub-unified commands. ...Read more >

Agility and flexibility are the foundational strengths that allow Special Operations Forces (SOF) to rapidly seize opportunities and adapt to unforeseen requirements and operational challenges. Facing a complex and uncertain future, the Nation expects SOF to apply these strengths to more fully integrate with partners and better identify and develop strategic opportunities to advance and protect US ...Read more >

Since the creation of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel have been working hard to tear down the walls of secrecy which have led to years of misunderstanding between conventional and special operations forces. Both USSOCOM and the Services are actively integrating SOF curriculum into the Service s professional military education schools to educate future military leaders on the role of SOF across the range of military ...Read more >

As the Joint Force prepares for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow, our focus is not simply on military power and platforms. We are laser-focused on leadership. It is the all-volunteer force and its ...Read more >

American special operations forces (SOF) are in the midst of a golden age. From references in pop culture to commendationsfrom the White House,praise for America�s quiet professionalshas become anything but ...Read more >

In 2011, Admiral Eric T. Olson, then commander of U.S. Special Operations Command highlighted a strategic focus for Special Operations Forces. He discussed placing greater ...Read more >

Naval Special Warfare has produced successful innovation by using small working groups. Naval Special Warfare deems an innovation successful if it results in a more efficient, less risky, more cost effective method to conduct special operations. The Quantum Leap program is an example of successful innovation in Naval Special Warfare produced by a small working group. How have these small groups been able to produce successful innovations? Michael McCaskey's Theory offers an explanation of ...Read more >

The United States has arrived at a critical inflection point in the development and employment of its special operations forces. Budget pressures and exhaustion with large-scale wars now place a new premium on small-footprint operations and partnering with allies to provide cost-effective ...Read more >