Updated November 22, 2021
Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
Overview
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (ASD (SOLIC)) and
Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active duty and
a new four-star command to prepare Special Operations
reserve component forces of the military services
Forces (SOF) to carry out assigned missions and, if directed
designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and
by the President or SECDEF, to plan for and conduct
specifically selected, organized, trained, and equipped to
special operations.
conduct and support special operations. Special operations
frequently require unique modes of employment, tactics,
Assistant Secretary of Defense for
techniques, procedures, and equipment. They are often
Special Operations and Low Intensity
conducted in hostile, politically, and/or diplomatically
Conflict (ASD (SOLIC))
sensitive environments, and are characterized by one or
The ASD (SOLIC) is the principal civilian advisor to the
more of the following: time-sensitivity, clandestine or
Secretary of Defense on special operations and low-
covert nature, low visibility, work with or through
intensity conflict matters. The ASD (SOLIC) has as their
indigenous forces, greater requirements for regional
principal duty overall supervision (to include oversight of
orientation and cultural expertise, and a high degree of risk.
policy and resources) of special operations and low-
SOF’s core activities are listed below.
intensity conflict activities. The ASD (SOLIC) falls under
and reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Direct action
(USD (P)). Congress, wanting ASD (SOLIC) to exercise
Special reconnaissance
greater oversight of USSOCOM, enacted Section 922,
FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 114-
Countering weapons of mass destruction
328) to facilitate and resource ASD (SOLIC)’s originally-
Counterterrorism
intended Service Secretary-like authorities. On November
18, 2020, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C.
Unconventional warfare
Miller announced ASD (SOLIC) would thereafter directly
Foreign internal defense
report to the Secretary of Defense. On May 5, 2021,
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reversed Acting
Security force assistance
Secretary of Defense Miller’s decision and returned ASD
Hostage rescue and recovery
(SOLIC) to the control of the USD (P).
Counterinsurgency
U.S. Special Operations Command
Foreign humanitarian assistance
(USSOCOM)
Activated on April 16, 1987, and headquartered at MacDill
Military information support operations
Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, USSOCOM is the unified
Civil affairs operations
Combatant Command (COCOM) responsible for
organizing, training, and equipping all U.S. SOF units.
Selection of SOF Operational Personnel
Headquarters, USSOCOM consists of approximately 2,500
SOF operational personnel (often referred to as “operators”)
military and civilian personnel, and overall, the command
undergo a rigorous screening and selection process
has more than 70,000 personnel assigned to its
characterized by a low selection rate. After selection, they
headquarters, its service components, and sub-unified
receive mission-specific training to achieve proficiency in a
commands. The USSOCOM commander is a four-star
variety of special operations skills. SOF operators tend to
general officer from any Service, who reports directly to the
be more experienced personnel and many maintain
SECDEF. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
competency in more than one military specialty. Selected
USSOCOM’s responsibilities were expanded in the 2004
operators have regional, cultural, and linguistic expertise.
Unified Command Plan (UCP), assigning USSOCOM
Some SOF personnel require highly technical and advanced
responsibility for coordinating the Department of Defense
training for anticipated missions such as Military Freefall
(DOD) plans against global terrorism and conducting global
training, Combat Diver training, and Sniper training.
operations as directed. Since 2016, USSOCOM has also
been assigned the roles coordinating authority over
Command Structure and Components
countering violent extremist operations (CVEO) and
In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF
counter weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) operations.
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
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
USSOCOM Service Component
Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs)
Commands
U.S. SOF frequently operates with 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 (USSOUTHCOM).
Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA),
Established on April 16, 1987, and based in Coronado, CA,
Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. Africa Command
the NSWC is responsible for organizing training and
(USAFRICOM).
equipping six Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWG), the
Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC), and the
Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR),
Development Group (DEVGRU). With approximately
Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. European Command
10,000 personnel, the NSWC consists of Sea, Air, Land
(USEUCOM).
(SEAL) Teams and Special Warfare Combatant Craft
Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT),
Crewmen (SWCC) as part of Special Boat Teams (SBTs).
MacDill Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Central
Enablers, including logistics, communications, intelligence,
Command (USCENTCOM).
and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel, are also
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
Special Operations Command U.S. Northern Command
20,800 personnel comprising Special Operations Aviators,
(SOCNORTH), Peterson Air Force Base, CO; supports
Special Tactics Airmen—including Combat Controllers,
U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).
Pararescuemen, Special Operations Weather Airmen,
Tactical Air Control Party Airmen, Combat Aviation
Advisors, and Support Air Commandos, who provide a
Relevant Statutes
wide variety of mission support service. The command’s
Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 162 – Combatant Commands:
active duty and reserve component flying units operate
Assigned Force, Chain of Command.
specially equipped fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.
Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 167 – Unified Combatant Command
Marine Corps Forces Special Operations
for Special Operations Forces.
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
CRS Products
Marine Special Operations School. MARSOC’s almost
CRS Report RS21048, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF):
3,000 personnel consist of Critical Skills Operators, Special
Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew Feickert.
Operations Officers, Special Operations Capability
Specialists, Special Operations Combat Services
Other Resources
Specialists, and Special Operations Independent Duty
Corpsmen.
Department of Defense, Joint Publication 1, Doctrine for the
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
Armed Forces of the United States, March 25, 2013,
Incorporating Change 1, July 12, 2017, at http://www.jcs.mil/
Activated in 1980, JSOC is a sub-unified command of
Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp1_ch1.pdf.
USSOCOM and is charged to study special operations
requirements and techniques, ensure interoperability and
DOD, Joint Publication 3.05, Doctrine for Special Operations,
equipment standardization, plan and conduct special
July 16, 2014, at https://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/DOCNET/JP-3-
operations exercises and training, and develop joint special
05-Special-Operations/.
operations tactics.
United States Special Operations Command, USSOCOM Fact
Book 2022, at https://www.socom.mil/latest-factbook.
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Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Barbara Salazar Torreon, Acting Head Research and
IF10545
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