Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces

Overview

Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active duty and reserve component forces of the military services designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and specifically selected, organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Special operations frequently require unique modes of employment, tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment. SOF often conducts special operations in hostile, politically, and/or diplomatically sensitive environments, and are characterized by one or more of the following: time-sensitivity, clandestine or covert nature, low visibility, work with or through indigenous forces, greater requirements for regional orientation and cultural expertise, and a high degree of risk. SOF’s core activities are

• Direct action
• Special reconnaissance
• Unconventional warfare
• Foreign internal defense
• Civil affairs operations
• Counterterrorism
• Military information support operations
• Counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
• Security force assistance
• Counterinsurgency
• Hostage rescue and recovery
• Foreign humanitarian assistance

Selection of SOF Operational Personnel

SOF operational personnel (often referred to as “operators”) undergo a rigorous screening and selection process characterized by a low selection rate. After selection, they receive mission-specific training to achieve proficiency in a variety of special operations skills. SOF operators tend to be experienced personnel and many maintain competency in more than one military specialty. Selected operators have regional, cultural, and linguistic expertise. Some SOF personnel require highly technical and advanced training for anticipated missions such as Military Freefall parachute training, Combat Diver training, and Sniper training.

Command Structure and Components

In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF within overall U.S. defense planning and budgeting, passed legislation to strengthen special operations’ position within the defense community and to strengthen interoperability among the branches of U.S. SOF. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 1987 (P.L. 99-661), established an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (ASD (SOLIC)) and a new four-star command to prepare SOF to carry out assigned missions and, if directed by the President or SECDEF, to plan for and conduct special operations.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (ASD (SOLIC))

The ASD (SOLIC) is the principal civilian advisor to the SECDEF on special operations and low-intensity conflict matters. The ASD (SOLIC) has as their principal duty overall supervision (to include oversight of policy and resources) of special operations and low-intensity conflict activities. The ASD (SOLIC) falls under and reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD (P)). Congress, wanting ASD (SOLIC) to exercise greater oversight of USSOCOM, enacted Section 922, FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 114-328) to facilitate and resource ASD (SOLIC)’s originally intended Service Secretary-like authorities.

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

Activated on April 16, 1987, and headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, USSOCOM is the unified Combatant Command (COCOM) responsible for organizing, training, and equipping all U.S. SOF units. Headquarters, USSOCOM consists of around 2,500 military and civilian personnel, and overall, the command has approximately 70,000 personnel assigned to its headquarters, its service components, and sub-unified commands. The USSOCOM commander is a four-star general officer from any Service who reports directly to the SECDEF. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, USSOCOM’s responsibilities were expanded in the 2004 Unified Command Plan (UCP), assigning USSOCOM responsibility for coordinating the Department of Defense (DOD) plans against global terrorism and conducting global operations as directed. Since 2016, USSOCOM has also been assigned the roles coordinating authority over countering violent extremist operations (CVEO) and counter weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) operations.

USSOCOM Service Component Commands

Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)

On December 1, 1989, USASOC was established at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), NC, as a major Army command to enhance the readiness of Army SOF in the active and reserve components. With an allocated strength of approximately 36,000 personnel, USASOC consists of Special Forces (Green Berets), Rangers, Special Operations Aviators, Civil Affairs Soldiers, Psychological Operations soldiers, training cadre, and sustainment Soldiers. USASOC has three major subordinate commands: the 1^st Special Forces Command (Airborne), U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command.

Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)

Established on April 16, 1987, and based in Coronado, CA, the NSWC is responsible for organizing training and equipping six Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWG), the Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC), and the Development Group (DEVGRU). With approximately 11,000 personnel, the NSWC consists of Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Teams and Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen (SWCC) as part of Special Boat Teams (SBTs). Enablers, including logistics, communications, intelligence, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel, are also part of NSWC.

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Established May 22, 1990, with its headquarters at Hurlburt Field, FL, AFSOC is responsible for organizing, training and equipping seven Special Operations Wings (SOW), one Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center. AFSOC consists of about 17,000 personnel comprising Special Operations Aviators, Special Tactics Airmen—including Combat Controllers, Pararescue men, Special Operations Weather Airmen, Tactical Air Control Party Airmen, Combat Aviation Advisors, and Support Air Commandos, who provide a wide variety of mission support service. The command’s active duty and reserve component flying units operate specially equipped fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)

Headquartered in Camp Lejeune, NC, and established February 24, 2006, MARSOC consists of the Marine Raider Regiment, the Marine Raider Support Group, and the Marine Special Operations School. MARSOC’s almost 3,500 personnel consist of Critical Skills Operators, Special Operations Officers, Special Operations Capability Specialists, Special Operations Combat Services Specialists, and Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsmen.

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)

Established October 22, 1980, JSOC is a sub-unified command of USSOCOM. JSOC prepares assigned, attached, and augmented units to conduct special operations against threats to the homeland and U.S. overseas interests.

Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs)

U.S. SOF frequently operates with conventional forces of the Joint Force. SOF theater-level command and control responsibilities are vested in Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). TSOCs are sub-unified commands under their respective Geographic Combatant Commanders (GCCs). TSOCs are special operational headquarters elements designed to support a GCC’s special operations logistics, planning, and operational command and control requirements, and are normally commanded by a one- or two-star general officer from any Service. Current TSOCs include the following:

• Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), Homestead Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).
• Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA), Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM).
• Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. European Command (USEUCOM).
• Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), MacDill Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).
• Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), Camp Smith, HI; supports U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM).
• Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR), Camp Humphreys, South Korea; supports U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
• Special Operations Command U.S. Northern Command (SOCNORTH), Peterson Air Force Base, CO; supports U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).