Updated November 21, 2022
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. SOF often conducts
Special Operations and Low Intensity
special operations in hostile, politically, and/or
Conflict (ASD (SOLIC))
diplomatically sensitive environments, and are
The ASD (SOLIC) is the principal civilian advisor to the
characterized by one or more of the following: time-
SECDEF on special operations and low-intensity conflict
sensitivity, clandestine or covert nature, low visibility, work
matters. The ASD (SOLIC) has as their principal duty
with or through indigenous forces, greater requirements for
overall supervision (to include oversight of policy and
regional orientation and cultural expertise, and a high
resources) of special operations and low-intensity conflict
degree of risk. SOF’s core activities are:
activities. The ASD (SOLIC) falls under and reports to the
ï‚·
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD (P)).
Direct action
Congress, wanting ASD (SOLIC) to exercise greater
ï‚· Special reconnaissance
oversight of USSOCOM, enacted Section 922, FY2017
ï‚·
National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 114-328) to
Countering weapons of mass destruction
facilitate and resource ASD (SOLIC)’s originally intended
ï‚· Counterterrorism
Service Secretary-like authorities.
ï‚· Unconventional warfare
U.S. Special Operations Command
ï‚· Foreign internal defense
(USSOCOM)
ï‚·
Activated on April 16, 1987, and headquartered at MacDill
Security force assistance
Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, USSOCOM is the unified
ï‚· Hostage rescue and recovery
Combatant Command (COCOM) responsible for
ï‚·
organizing, training, and equipping all U.S. SOF units.
Counterinsurgency
Headquarters, USSOCOM consists of approximately 2,500
ï‚· Foreign humanitarian assistance
military and civilian personnel, and overall, the command
ï‚·
has more than 70,000 personnel assigned to its
Military information support operations
headquarters, its service components, and sub-unified
ï‚· Civil affairs operations
commands. The USSOCOM commander is a four-star
general officer from any Service, who reports directly to the
Selection of SOF Operational Personnel
SECDEF. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
SOF operational personnel (often referred to as “operators”)
USSOCOM’s responsibilities were expanded in the 2004
undergo a rigorous screening and selection process
Unified Command Plan (UCP), assigning USSOCOM
characterized by a low selection rate. After selection, they
responsibility for coordinating the Department of Defense
receive mission-specific training to achieve proficiency in a
(DOD) plans against global terrorism and conducting global
variety of special operations skills. SOF operators tend to
operations as directed. Since 2016, USSOCOM has also
be experienced personnel and many maintain competency
been assigned the roles coordinating authority over
in more than one military specialty. Selected operators have
countering violent extremist operations (CVEO) and
regional, cultural, and linguistic expertise. Some SOF
counter weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) operations.
personnel require highly technical and advanced training
for anticipated missions such as Military Freefall training,
USSOCOM Service Component
Combat Diver training, and Sniper training.
Commands
Command Structure and Components
Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF
On December 1, 1989, USASOC was established at Fort
within overall U.S. defense planning and budgeting, passed
Bragg, NC, as a major Army command to enhance the
legislation to strengthen special operations’ position within
readiness of Army SOF in the active and reserve
the defense community and to strengthen interoperability
components. With an allocated strength of approximately
among the branches of U.S. SOF. The National Defense
35,000 personnel, USASOC consists of Special Forces
Authorization Act (NDAA) of 1987 (P.L. 99-661),
(Green Berets), Rangers, Special Operations Aviators, Civil
established an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special
Affairs Soldiers, Psychological Operations soldiers, training
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Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces
cadre, and sustainment Soldiers. USASOC has three major
two-star general officer from any Service. Current TSOCs
subordinate commands: the 1st Special Forces Command
include the following:
(Airborne), U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare
Center and School, and the U.S. Army Special Operations
ï‚· Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH),
Aviation Command.
Homestead Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Southern
Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
Command (USSOUTHCOM).
Established on April 16, 1987, and based in Coronado, CA,
ï‚· 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
ï‚·
Development Group (DEVGRU). With approximately
Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR),
10,500 personnel, the NSWC consists of Sea, Air, Land
Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. European Command
(SEAL) Teams and Special Warfare Combatant Craft
(USEUCOM).
Crewmen (SWCC) as part of Special Boat Teams (SBTs).
ï‚· Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT),
Enablers, including logistics, communications, intelligence,
MacDill Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Central
and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel, are also
Command (USCENTCOM).
part of NSWC.
ï‚·
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), Camp
Smith, HI; supports U.S. Pacific Command
Established May 22, 1990, with its headquarters at Hurlburt
(USPACOM).
Field, FL, AFSOC is responsible for organizing, training
and equipping seven Special Operations Wings (SOW), one
ï‚· Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR), Camp
Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Air Force Special
Humphreys, South Korea; supports U.S. Forces Korea
Operations Air Warfare Center. AFSOC consists of about
(USFK).
16,800 personnel comprising Special Operations Aviators,
ï‚· Special Operations Command U.S. Northern Command
Special Tactics Airmen—including Combat Controllers,
(SOCNORTH), Peterson Air Force Base, CO; supports
Pararescuemen, Special Operations Weather Airmen,
U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).
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
Marine Special Operations School. MARSOC’s almost
CRS Products
3,500 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
Other Resources
Corpsmen.
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
Department of Defense, Joint Publication 1, Doctrine for the
Armed Forces of the United States, March 25, 2013,
Established October 22, 1980, JSOC is a sub-unified
Incorporating Change 1, July 12, 2017, at http://www.jcs.mil/
command of USSOCOM. JSOC prepares assigned,
Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp1_ch1.pdf.
attached, and augmented units to conduct special operations
against threats to the homeland and U.S. overseas interests.
DOD, Joint Publication 3.05, Doctrine for Special Operations,
July 16, 2014, at https://irp.fas.org/doddir/dod/jp3_05.pdf
Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs)
.
U.S. SOF frequently operates with conventional forces of
United States Special Operations Command, USSOCOM Fact
the Joint Force. SOF theater-level command and control
Book 2022, at https://www.socom.mil/latest-factbook.
responsibilities are vested in Theater Special Operations
Commands (TSOCs). TSOCs are sub-unified commands

under their respective Geographic Combatant Commanders
Barbara Salazar Torreon, Acting Head Research and
(GCCs). TSOCs are special operational headquarters
Library Services
elements designed to support a GCC’s special operations
logistics, planning, and operational command and control
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
requirements, and are normally commanded by a one- or
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Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10545 · VERSION 13 · UPDATED

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