Updated December 11, 2020
Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
Overview
Low Intensity Conflict (ASD (SOLIC)) and a new four-star
Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active duty and
command to prepare Special Operations Forces (SOF) to
reserve component forces of the military services
carry out assigned missions and, if directed by the President
designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and
or SECDEF, to plan for and conduct special operations.
specifically selected, organized, trained, and equipped to
conduct and support special operations. Special operations
Assistant Secretary of Defense for
frequently require unique modes of employment, tactics,
Special Operations and Low Intensity
techniques, procedures, and equipment. They are often
Conflict (ASD (SOLIC))
conducted in hostile, politically, and/or diplomatically
The ASD (SOLIC) is the principal civilian advisor to the
sensitive environments, and are characterized by one or
Secretary of Defense on special operations and low-
more of the following: time-sensitivity, clandestine or
intensity conflict matters. The ASD (SOLIC) has as their
covert nature, low visibility, work with or through
principal duty overall supervision (to include oversight of
indigenous forces, greater requirements for regional
policy and resources) of special operations and low-
orientation and cultural expertise, and a high degree of risk.
intensity conflict activities. The ASD (SOLIC) falls under
SOF’s core activities are listed below.
and reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
(USD (P)). Congress, wishing for the ASD (SOLIC) to
Direct action
exercise greater oversight of USSOCOM, enacted Section
922, FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L.
Special reconnaissance
114-328) to facilitate and resource ASD (SOLIC)’s
Countering weapons of mass destruction
originally-intended Service Secretary-like authorities. On
November 18, 2020, Acting Secretary of Defense
Counterterrorism
Christopher C. Miller announced the ASD (SOLIC) would
Unconventional warfare
thereafter directly report to the Secretary of Defense.
Foreign internal defense
U.S. Special Operations Command
Security force assistance
(USSOCOM)
Activated on April 16, 1987, and headquartered at MacDill
Hostage rescue and recovery
Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, USSOCOM is the unified
Counterinsurgency
Combatant Command (COCOM) responsible for
organizing, training, and equipping all U.S. SOF units .
Foreign humanitarian assistance
Headquarters, USSOCOM consists of approximately 2,500
Military information support operations
military and civilian personnel, and overall, the command
has more than 70,000 personnel assigned to its
Civil affairs operations
headquarters, its service components, and sub-unified
Selection of SOF Operational Personnel
commands. The USSOCOM commander is a four-star
general officer from any Service, who reports directly to the
SOF operational personnel (often referred to as “operators”)
SECDEF. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
undergo a rigorous screening and selection process
USSOCOM’s responsibilities were expanded in the 2004
characterized by a low selection rate. After selection, they
Unified Command Plan (UCP), assigning USSOCOM
receive mission-specific training to achieve proficiency in a
responsibility for coordinating the Department of Defense
variety of special operations skills. SOF operators tend to
(DOD) plans against global terrorism and conducting global
be more experienced personnel and many maintain
operations as directed. Since 2016, USSOCOM has also
competency in more than one military specialty. Selected
been assigned the roles coordinating authority over
operators have regional, cultural, and linguistic expertise.
countering violent extremist operations (CVEO) and
Some SOF personnel require highly technical and advanced
counter weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) operations.
training for anticipated mis sions such as Military Freefall
USSOCOM has also been given the mission to field a trans-
training, Combat Diver training, and Sniper training.
regional Military Information Support Operations (MISO)
Command Structure and Components
capability to address the opportunities and risks of the
global information space.
In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF
within overall U.S. defense planning, 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
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
USSOCOM Service Component
Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs)
Commands
U.S. SOF frequently operates with the conventional forces
of the Joint Force. SOF theater-level command and control
Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
responsibilities are vested in Theater Special Operations
On December 1, 1989, USASOC was established at Fort
Commands (TSOCs). TSOCs are sub-unified commands
Bragg, NC, as a major Army command to enhance the
under their respective Geographic Combatant Commanders
readiness of Army SOF in the active and reserve
(GCCs). TSOCs are special operational headquarters
components. With an allocated strength of approximately
elements designed to support a GCC’s special operations
33,000 personnel, USASOC consists of Special Forces
logistics, planning, and operational command and control
(Green Berets), Rangers, Special Operations Aviators, Civil
requirements, and are normally commanded by a one- or
Affairs Soldiers, Military Information Support Operators,
two-star general officer from any Service. Current TSOCs
training cadre, and sustainment Soldiers. USASOC has
include the following:
three major subordinate commands: the 1st Special Forces
Command (Airborne), U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special
Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH),
Warfare Center and School, and the U.S. Army Special
Homestead Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Southern
Operations Aviation Command.
Command (USSOUT HCOM).
Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
Established on April 16, 1987, and based in Coronado, CA,
Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA),
the NSWC is responsible for organizing training and
Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. Africa Command
equipping six Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWG), the
(USAFRICOM).
Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC), and the
Development Group (DEVGRU). With approximately
Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), Stuttgart,
10,000 personnel, the NSWC consists of Sea, Air, Land
Germany; supports U.S. European Command (USEUCOM).
(SEAL) Teams and Special Warfare Combatant Craft
Crewmen (SWCC) as part of Special Boat Teams (SBTs).
Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), MacDill
Enablers, including logistics, communications, intelligence,
Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Central Command
and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel, are also
(USCENT COM).
part of NSWC.
Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), Camp
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
Smith, HI; supports U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM).
Established May 22, 1990, with its headquarters at Hurlburt
Field, FL, AFSOC is responsible for organizing, training
Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR), Camp
and equipping seven Special Operations Wings (SOW), one
Humphreys, South Korea; supports U.S. Forces Korea
Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Air Force Special
(USFK).
Operations Air Warfare Center. AFSOC consists of about
20,800 personnel comprising Special Operations Aviators,
Special Operations Command U.S. Northern Command
Special Tactics Airmen—including Combat Controllers,
(SOCNORT H), Peterson Air Force Base, CO; supports U.S.
Pararescuemen, Special Operations Weather Airmen,
Northern Command (USNORT HCOM).
Tactical Air Control Party Airmen, Combat Aviation
Advisors, and Support Air Commandos, who provide a
wide variety of mission support service. The command’s
Relevant Statutes
active duty and reserve component flying units operate
Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 162 – Combatant Commands:
specially equipped fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.
Assigned Force, Chain of Command.
Marine Corps Forces Special Operations
Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 167 – Unified Combatant Command
Command (MARSOC)
for Special Operations Forces.
Headquartered in Camp Lejeune, NC, and established
February 24, 2006, MARSOC consists of the Marine Raider
Regiment, the Marine Raider Support Group, and the
CRS Products
Marine Special Operations School. MARSOC’s almost
3,000 personnel consist of Critical Skills Operators, Special
CRS Report RS21048, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF):
Operations Officers, Special Operations Capability
Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew Feickert.
Specialists, Special Operations Combat Services
Specialists, and Special Operations Independent Duty
Corpsmen.
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
Activated in 1980, JSOC is a sub-unified command of
USSOCOM and is charged to study special operations
requirements and techniques, ensure interoperability and
equipment standardization, plan and conduct special
operations exercises and training, and develop joint special
operations tactics.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
Other Resources
United States Special Operations Command, USSOCOM Fact
Department of Defense, Joint Publication 1, Doctrine for the
Book 2020, at https://www.socom.mil/latest-factbook.
Armed Forces of the United States, March 25, 2013,
Incorporating Change 1, July 12, 2017, at http://www.jcs.mil/
Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp1_ch1.pdf
DOD, Joint Publication 3.05, Doctrine for Special Operations,
Barbara Salazar Torreon, Acting Head Research and
July 16, 2014, at https://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/DOCNET/JP-3-
Library Services
05-Special-Operations/
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
IF10545
Disclaimer
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