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1 [1] (December 6, 2018)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthzzbyp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: $ Congressional Research Service Informig the legaslive debate since 1914 Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces Overview Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active duty and reserve component forces of the military services designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and specifically selected, organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Special operations frequently require unique modes of employment, tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment. They are often conducted in hostile, politically, and/or diplomatically sensitive environments, and are characterized by one or more of the following: time-sensitivity, clandestine or covert nature, low visibility, work with or through indigenous forces, greater requirements for regional orientation and cultural expertise, and a high degree of risk. SOF's core activities are listed below. * Direct action * Special reconnaissance * Countering weapons of mass destruction * Counterterrorism * Unconventional warfare * Foreign internal defense * Security force assistance * Hostage rescue and recovery * Counterinsurgency * Foreign humanitarian assistance * Military information support operations * Civil affairs operations * Preparation of the environment Selection of SOF Operational Personnel SOF operational personnel (often referred to as operators) undergo a rigorous screening and selection process characterized by a low selection rate. After selection, they receive mission-specific training to achieve proficiency in a variety of special operations skills. SOF operators tend to be more experienced personnel and many maintain competency in more than one military specialty. Selected operators have regional, cultural, and linguistic expertise. Some SOF personnel require highly technical and advanced training for anticipated missions such as Military Freefall training, Combat Diver training, and Sniper training. Command Structure and Components 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 Updated December 6, 2018 branches of U.S. SOF. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 1987 (P.L. 99-661, Part B -Special Operations Matters), established a new four-star command to prepare Special Operations Forces (SOF) to carry out assigned missions and, if directed by the President or SECDEF, to plan for and conduct special operations. U. Special Operations Command (USS0COM) Activated on April 16, 1987, and headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, USSOCOM is the unified Combatant Command (COCOM) responsible for organizing, training, and equipping all U.S. SOF units. As of February 2018, USSOCOM had 71,698 (57,478 active duty, 7,668 reserve and 6,552 civilian) personnel assigned to its headquarters, its service components, and sub-unified commands. HQ USSOCOM consists of about 2,500 military and civilian members. The USSOCOM commander is four-star general officer from any Service, who reports directly to the SECDEF. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, USSOCOM's responsibilities were expanded in the 2004 Unified Command Plan (UCP), which assigned USSOCOM responsibility for coordinating the Department of Defense (DOD) plans against global terrorism and conducting global operations as directed. Since 2016, USSOCOM has also been assigned the roles coordinating authority over countering violent extremist operations (CVEO) and counter weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) operations. USSOCOM Service Component Commands Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) On December 1, 1989, USASOC was established at Fort Bragg, NC, as a major Army command to enhance the readiness of Army SOF in the active and reserve components. With an allocated strength of approximately 33,000 soldiers, USASOC consists of Special Forces (Green Berets), Rangers, Special Operations Aviators, Civil Affairs Soldiers, Military Information Support Operators, Training Cadre, and Sustainment Soldiers. USASOC has four major subordinate commands: the It Special Forces Command (Airborne) (Provisional), U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) Established on April 16, 1987, and based in Coronado, CA, the NSWC is responsible for organizing training and equipping six Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWG), the Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC), and the Development Group (DEVGRU). With approximately 10,000 personnel, the NSWC consists of Sea, Air, Land www.crs gov 1 7-5700

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