New Special Ops Forces Vision and Strategy
by Jim Garamone, DOD News
April 15, 2022
The civilian and military leaders of
America's special operations forces have combined to issue the new
Special Operations Forces Vision and Strategy to guide the force
into the future.
Christopher P. Maier, the assistant
secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity
conflict, and Army Gen. Richard D. Clarke, the commander of U.S.
Special Operations Command, wrote the document as a handbook for the
changing world security environment.
This is especially important as the
National Defense Strategy emphasizes the return of strategic
competition with China and Russia.
 Navy SEALs demonstrate winter warfare capabilities during in the mountains around Mammoth Lakes, California on December 9, 2014. (Image
created by USA Patriotism! from
Naval Special Warfare Command courtesy photo.)
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"The updated Special Operations Force
Vision and Strategy reflects our overarching strategic guidance to
the enterprise, highlighting force modernization, force employment,
development and design, and helps ensure forces are postured to
support the National Defense Strategy," Maier said in a written
statement. "Aligned with national policy and strategy, the Vision
and Strategy serves as the foundation for the shaping of SOF
near-term and in the future as an adaptive, agile and capable force
that can compete and prevail against any adversary, in any
environment, while also recognizing the need to preserve and grow
readiness and strengthen our force and families."
The joint
release of the Vision and Strategy highlights the cooperation at the
highest levels of the community. "Special Operations Forces' full
range of core activities, tailored capabilities and deep
partnerships provide critical options for campaigning to bolster
deterrence," Clarke said in a written statement. "These documents
underpin our efforts to build enduring advantage. They ensure our
special operations forces remain the most capable and credible in
the world by providing a lasting foundation to guide future
activities and investments focused on innovation, modernization and
taking care of our most critical resource ... our people."
The
vision statement takes the Special Ops core values of honor,
courage, excellence, creativity and respect and pushes that basis
into the future. Special operators must be "a resilient enterprise
capable of conducting integrated all-domain special operations."
Special operators, of course, have a role to play in countering
moves by China America's pacing challenge ... and Russia ... whose
action in invading Ukraine shows the threat they may become.
"China is currently the only nation capable of combining the
economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to rival the
U.S. and destabilize the international system that has advanced our
interests for 75 years," the Vision and Strategy document says.
But this doesn't mean the threats are any smaller from Iran,
North Korea or from violent extremist organizations. Organizations
like the Islamic State seek to reconstitute anywhere they can find a
safe haven. Ungoverned, little governed or corruptly governed areas
of the Middle East, Southwest Asia and especially Africa could
provide that necessity.
 U.S. Marines with C Company, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion (Recon Bn.), 2d Marine Division, participate in visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training with Netherlands Marines with the 32nd Raiding Squadron in Savaneta, Aruba
on November 13, 2020. VBSS skills are critical when fighting
in littoral and coastal regions. (Image created by USA
Patriotism! from U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bolin Jr.)
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The strategy looks to
establish a 10-year framework of strategic aims, strategic efforts
and resources to "create strategic and asymmetric advantages" for
the United States.
Over the next decade, special operators
must be prepared "to conduct operations to support priority missions
in critical locations as part of integrated deterrence, to reduce
strategic risk and to facilitate integration with conventional
forces during high-end conflict."
The community also must
modernize for the missions of the future. This is more than simply
buying new equipment, but examining new concepts, doctrine, methods
and capabilities.
Staying true to its roots is yet another
priority in this strategy with its strong emphasis on recruiting and
retaining the best people for the missions. The force will also
sustain the Defense Department's deployment-to-dwell and
mobilization-to-dwell ratios.
Again, regarding personnel,
the strategy calls for emphasizing diversity and inclusion within
the community while also calling for accountable leadership.
Special operations forces will be key in helping the greater
military operate with partner and allied military organizations,
according to the strategy.
Maier and Clarke see the Vision
and Strategy as a chance to continue discussions within the special
operations community. Still, they delineate what qualities they deem
important and the path they would like to take ... together ... moving
ahead.
U.S. Department
of Defense
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