Contents

• Overview
• Command Structures and Components
• Title X USSOCOM Authorities
• Additional USSOCOM Responsibilities
• U.S. SOF Core Activities
• USSOCOM Organization
• Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs)
• Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
• U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
• Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
• Inactivation of the 24^th Special Operations Wing (SOW)
• AFSOC Specialties
• Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
• U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)
• Potential Oversight Considerations for Congress
• Potential Combatant Command Restructuring
• U.S. Space Force and Establishing a Space Force Special Operations Forces Component Command

Summary

Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations. In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF within overall U.S. defense planning, passed legislation (P.L. 99-661) to strengthen special operations' position within the defense community and to improve interoperability among the branches of U.S. SOF. These actions included the establishment of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as a new unified command.

As of 2025, USSOCOM consists of approximately 70,000 Active Duty, Reserve Component, and civilian personnel assigned to its headquarters, its four components, and sub-unified commands. USSOCOM's components are the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), and the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is a USSOCOM sub-unified command.

USSOCOM also includes seven 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.

Potential considerations for Congress include potential combatant command restructuring and U.S. Space Force establishing a Space Force Special Operations Forces Component Command. .

Overview

Special operations are military operations requiring unique modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment, and training. These operations are often conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and are characterized by one or more of the following elements: time sensitive, clandestine, low visibility, conducted with and/or through indigenous forces, requiring regional expertise, and/or a high degree of risk. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those Active and Reserve Component forces of the services designated by the Secretary of Defense, who is using "Secretary of War" as a "secondary title" under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, and are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, is a functional combatant command responsible for training, doctrine, and equipping for U.S. SOF units.

Command Structures and Components

In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF within overall U.S. defense planning, passed legislation (P.L. 99-661) to strengthen special operations' position within the defense community and to improve interoperability among the branches of U.S. SOF. These actions included the establishment of USSOCOM as a new unified command. As stipulated by U.S. Code (U.S.C.) Title X, Section 167, the commander of USSOCOM is a four-star officer who may be from any military service. Admiral Frank M. Bradley is the current USSOCOM Commander.¹ The USSOCOM Commander reports directly to the Secretary of Defense (Secretary of War). The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD [SOLIC]), who is using "Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict (ASW [SOLIC]) as a "secondary title" under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, is the principal civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense (Secretary of War) on special operations and low-intensity conflict matters. Mr. Derrick M. Anderson is the current ASD (SOLIC).²

As of 2025, USSOCOM consists of approximately 70,000 Active Duty, Reserve Component, and civilian personnel assigned to its headquarters, its four components, and sub-unified commands.³ USSOCOM's components are the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), and the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is a USSOCOM sub-unified command.

Title X USSOCOM Authorities

10 U.S.C. §167, Unified Combatant Command for Special Operations Forces, states

Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, the commander of such command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, the following functions relating to special operations activities (whether or not relating to the special operations command).

Authorities include

• developing special operations strategy, doctrine, and tactics;
• preparing and submitting budget proposals for special operations forces;
• exercising authority, direction, and control over special operations expenditures;
• training assigned forces;
• conducting specialized courses of instruction;
• validating requirements;
• establishing requirement priorities;
• ensuring interoperability of equipment and forces;
• formulating and submitting intelligence support requirements;
• monitoring special operations officers' promotions, assignments, retention, training, and professional military education;
• ensuring special operations forces' combat readiness;
• monitoring special operations forces' preparedness to carry out assigned missions;
• developing and acquiring special operations-peculiar equipment, materiel, supplies, and services;
• commanding and controlling U.S.-based special operations forces;
• providing special operations forces to Geographic Combatant Commanders (GCCs); and
• conducting activities specified by the President or Secretary of Defense (Secretary of War).⁴

Additional USSOCOM Responsibilities

In addition to the aforementioned Title X authorities and responsibilities, USSOCOM has been given additional responsibilities. In the 2004 Unified Command Plan (UCP), USSOCOM was given the responsibility for synchronizing DOD (DOW) planning against global terrorist networks and, as directed, conducting global operations against those networks.⁵ In this regard, USSOCOM "receives, reviews, coordinates and prioritizes all DOD (DOW) plans that support the global campaign against terror, and then makes recommendations to the Joint Staff regarding force and resource allocations to meet global requirements."⁶ In 2008, USSOCOM was designated the DOD (DOW) proponent for Security Force Assistance (SFA).⁷ In this role, USSOCOM performs a synchronizing function in global training and assistance planning similar to the previously described role of planning against terrorist networks. In 2018, USSOCOM was also assigned the mission to field a Trans Regional Military Information Support Operations (MISO) capability intended to "address the opportunities and risks of global information space."⁸

U.S. SOF Core Activities

USSOCOM describes its core activities as

• Direct Action: Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions employing specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets.
• Special Reconnaissance: Actions conducted in sensitive environments to collect or verify information of strategic or operational significance.
• Unconventional Warfare (UW): Actions taken to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow a government or occupying power.
• Foreign Internal Defense (FID): Activities that support a host nation's internal defense and development (IDAD) strategy and program designed to protect against subversion, lawlessness, insurgency, terrorism, and other threats to their internal security, and stability, and legitimacy.
• Civil Affairs Operations (CA): Activities taken to enhance the relationship between military forces and civilian authorities in localities where military forces are present.
• Counterterrorism (CT): Actions taken directly against terrorist networks and indirectly to influence and render global and regional environments inhospitable to terrorist networks.
• Military Information Support Operations (MISO): MISOs are undertaken to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals in a manner favorable to the originator's objectives.
• Counter-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Activities to support U.S. Government (USG) efforts to curtail the conceptualization, development, possession, proliferation, use, and effects of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), related expertise, materials, technologies, and means of delivery by state and non-state actors.
• Security Force Assistance (SFA): Activities taken to enhance organizing, training, equipping, rebuilding, and advising various components of Foreign Security Forces.
• Counterinsurgency: Actions taken that blend civilian and military efforts designed to end insurgent violence and facilitate a return to peaceful political processes.
• Hostage Rescue and Recovery: Offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, preempt, and respond to terrorist threats and incidents, including recapture of U.S. facilities, installations, and sensitive material in overseas areas.
• Foreign Humanitarian Assistance: The range of DOD (DOW) humanitarian activities conducted outside the United States and its territories to relieve or reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation.⁹

USSOCOM Organization

Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs)

Theater-level command and control responsibilities are vested in Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). TSOCs are sub-unified commands under their respective 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 general officer.

In 2013, based on a request from USSOCOM and with the concurrence of every geographic and functional combatant commander and the Service Chiefs and Secretaries, the Secretary of Defense (Secretary of War) transferred combatant command of the TSOCs from the GCCs to USSOCOM.¹⁰ This means USSOCOM has the responsibility to organize, train, and equip TSOCs, as it previously had for all assigned SOF units as specified in U.S. Code, Title X, Section 167. This change was intended to enable USSOCOM to standardize, to the greatest extent possible, TSOC capabilities and manpower requirements. While USSOCOM is responsible for the organizing, training, and equipping of TSOCs, the GCCs continue to have operational control over the TSOCs and all special operations in their respective theaters. TSOC commanders are the senior SOF advisors for their respective GCCs. Each TSOC is capable of forming the core of a joint task force headquarters for short-term operations and can provide command and control for all SOF in theater on a continuous basis. The services have what the DOD (DOW) calls "Combatant Command Service Agency (CCSA)" responsibilities for providing manpower, non-SOF peculiar equipment, and logistic support to the TSOCs. The current TSOCs, the GCCs they support, and the CCSA responsibility for those TSOCs are

• Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), Homestead Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Southern Command; its CCSA is the Army.
• Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA), Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. Africa Command; its CCSA is the Army.
• Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), Stuttgart, Germany; supports U.S. European Command; its CCSA is the Army.
• Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), MacDill Air Force Base, FL; supports U.S. Central Command; its CCSA is the Air Force.
• Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), Camp Smith, HI; supports U.S. Pacific Command; its CCSA is the Navy.
• Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR), Camp Humphries, Republic of Korea; supports U.S. Forces Korea; its CCSA is the Army.
• Special Operations Command U.S. Northern Command (SOCNORTH), Peterson Air Force Base, CO; supports U.S. Northern Command; its CCSA is the Air Force.¹¹

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)¹²

From USSOCOM's 2025 Fact Book:

The Joint Special Operations Command, located at Fort Liberty [renamed Ft. Bragg in February 2025], North Carolina is a sub-unified command of the U.S. Special Operations Command. JSOC prepares assigned, attached and augmented forces, and, when directed, conducts special operations against threats to protect the homeland and U.S. interests aboard.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)

USASOC includes approximately 36,000 soldiers from the Active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve organized into Special Forces, Ranger, Special Operations Aviation units, along with Civil Affairs (CA) units, Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) units, and special operations training and support units.¹³ ARSOF Headquarters and other resources, such as the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, are located at Ft. Bragg, NC.¹⁴ Five active duty Special Forces (SF) Groups (Airborne),¹⁵ consisting of about 1,400 soldiers each, are stationed at Fort Bragg, NC; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Carson, CO; and Eglin Air Force Base, FL. Special Forces soldiers—also known as Green Berets—are trained in various skills, including foreign languages, that allow teams to operate independently throughout the world. Two Army National Guard Special Forces groups are headquartered in Utah and Alabama.

An elite airborne light infantry unit specializing in direct action operations,¹⁶ the 75^th Ranger Regiment, is headquartered at Fort Benning, GA,¹⁷ and consists of three battalions of about 800 soldiers each, a regimental special troops battalion, and a regimental military intelligence battalion. The Army's special operations aviation unit, the 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR), is headquartered at Fort Campbell, KY. The 160^th SOAR features pilots trained to fly the most sophisticated Army rotary-wing aircraft in the harshest environments, day or night, and in adverse weather and supports all USSOCOM components, not just Army units.

Some of the most frequently deployed SOF assets are CA units, which provide experts in every area of civil government to help administer civilian affairs in operational theaters. The 95^th CA Brigade (Airborne) is the only active CA unit that exclusively supports USSOCOM. Psychological operations (PSYOPS) units disseminate information to large foreign audiences through mass media. Two Active-Duty PSYOPS groups—the 4^th PSYOPS Group and 8^th PSYOPS Group—are stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, and their subordinate units are aligned with Geographic Combatant Commands.

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AFSOC is one of the Air Force's major commands, comprising approximately 17,000 Active, Reserve, and civilian personnel.¹⁸ AFSOC units operate out of four major continental United States (CONUS) locations and two overseas locations. The headquarters for AFSOC is Hurlburt Field, FL.¹⁹ AFSOC units are stationed as follows:

• 1^st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL;
• 27^th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, NM;
• 137^th Special Operations Wing (Air National Guard), Oklahoma City, OK;
• 193^rd Special Operations Wing (Air National Guard), Harrisburg, PA;
• 352^nd Special Operations Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, UK;
• 492^nd Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL;
• 919^th Special Operations Wing (Air Force Reserve), Duke Field, FL; and
• 353^rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan.²⁰

Inactivation of the 24^th Special Operations Wing (SOW)²¹

On May 16, 2025, the 24^th SOW stationed at Hurlburt Field, FL, was inactivated. Air For officials stated that this was a "transition point for both the Special Tactics community and AFSOC." The 24^th SOW's subordinate organizations were not inactivated but instead are to report directly to AFSOC headquarters. The Air Force noted that the 24^th SOW could be reactivated in the future.

AFSOC Specialties

AFSOC specialties generally fall into three groups:

• Special Tactics: Special Tactics specialties consist of Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers, Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescue (PJs), Tactical Air Control Party, and Special Reconnaissance.
• Special Operations Aviators: Aircrew who fly a fleet of specially modified aircraft in permissive, contested, denied, or politically sensitive environments. Missions include long-range infiltration and exfiltration; nonstandard aviation; precision strike; aerial refueling; foreign internal defense; and command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
• Support Air Commandos: A variety of Air Force specialties who serve in mission support, maintenance, and medical specialties in support of AFSOC units.²²

Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)²³

NSWC comprises approximately 11,000 personnel, including Active Duty and Reserve Component Special Warfare Operators, known as SEALs; Special Warfare Boat Operators, known as Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen (SWCC); reserve personnel; support personnel, referred to as Enablers; and civilians. NSWC headquarters is located at Coronado, CA, and is composed of eight Active-Duty SEAL Teams, two Reserve Component SEAL Teams, two SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams, three Special Boat Teams, and two Special Reconnaissance Teams. Because SEALs are considered experts in special reconnaissance and direct-action missions—primary counterterrorism skills—NSWC is viewed as well postured to fight a globally dispersed enemy ashore or afloat. NSWC forces can operate in small groups and have the ability to quickly deploy from Navy ships, submarines and aircraft, overseas bases, and forward-based units. Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWGs), NSWC's major components, are stationed as follows:

• NSWG-1, San Diego, CA;
• NSWG-2, Virginia Beach, VA;
• NSWG-8, Virginia Beach, VA;
• NSWG-4, Virginia Beach, VA; and
• NSWG-11, San Diego, CA.²⁴

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)²⁵

On November 1, 2005, DOD (DOW) created MARSOC as a component of USSOCOM. MARSOC comprises approximately 3,500 personnel, including Critical Skills Operators (enlisted), Special Operations Officers, Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsmen (medics), Special Operations Capabilities Specialists, Combat Service Support Specialists, and Marine Corps civilians. MARSOC consists of the Marine Raider Regiment, which includes 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Marine Raider Battalions; the Marine Raider Support Group; 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Marine Raider Support Battalions; and the Marine Raider Training Center (MRTC). MARSOC headquarters and forces are stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. MARSOC units have been deployed worldwide to conduct a full range of special operations activities. MARSOC missions include direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, counterterrorism, and information operations.

Potential Oversight Considerations for Congress

Potential Combatant Command Restructuring

Reportedly, the Department of Defense (War) is considering a major reorganization of the combatant commands including reducing the current 11 combatant commands to eight.²⁶ These changes are said to include

• Placing U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command under the control of a new organization known as U.S. International Command.
• Realigning U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Northern Command under a new headquarters to be known as U.S. Americas Command.
• If such a reorganization does take place, it could have operational ramifications for USSOCOM, as well as Special Operations Command Central, Special Operations Command Europe, Special Operations Command Africa, Special Operations Command South, and Special Operations Command U.S. Northern Command. Furthermore, it might require the creation of some new type of Special Operations Component Command for U.S. International Command and U.S. Americas Command. As such a major reorganization of combatant commands and their respective TSOCs could have not only operational but resource and personnel implications as well, Congress might examine this issue further with the Department of Defense (War), the Services, and USSOCOM.

U.S. Space Force and Establishing a Space Force Special Operations Forces Component Command

Reportedly, early in 2025, U.S. Space Force established a Space Force Special Operations Component Command, as part of establishing "an operational focus and warfighting identity."²⁷ While U.S. Space Force reportedly says it need a Space Force Special Operations Component Command, some defense analysts suggest such an action is "redundant given the existence of organizations such as U.S. Space Command."²⁸ In the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress restricted this action.

SEC. 349. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS TO ESTABLISH OR EXPAND SPACE FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS 13 COMPONENT COMMAND.

(a) IN GENERAL.—None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for Major Force Program 11 for the United States Special Operations Command may be obligated or expended to establish or expand a Space Force Special Operations Component Command until the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command, in consultation with the Chief of Space Operations, jointly submit to the Committees on Armed Services the report required by subsection (b).

(b) REPORT.—The report required under this subsection shall include each of the following:

(1) An articulation of the requirement for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command.

(2) A funding profile, across the future-years defense program submitted under section 221 of Title 10, United States Code, for the establishment of a Space Force Special Operations Component Command, including a delineation of funds required under Major Force Program 2 and Major Force Program 11.

(3) A timeline and conditions for achieving initial and full operational capability for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command.

(4) An identification of the military, civilian, and contractor personnel required for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command at initial and full operational capability.

(5) An identification of the facilities requirements for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command at initial and full operational capability.

(6) An explanation of how and when the Secretary of Defense and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict have documented approval for the establishment of a Space Force Special Operations Component Command.

(7) An explanation of the administrative and command relationships between a Space Force Special Operations Component Command and the United States Special Operations Command, United States Space Command, and the Space Force.

(8) Any other matters determined relevant by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command. ²⁹

Given the aforementioned congressional action and further congressional review, it can be assumed that activities to establish a Space Force Special Operations Component Command have been suspended until the completion of the mandated report and its submission to Congress.

Footnotes