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Special Operations Forces' Contributions To National Security
by David Vergun, DOD News
April 9, 2021
Although U.S. Special Operations Command makes up just 3% of the
joint force, it has suffered over half of all combat casualties over
the past few years, said a Defense Department official.
Christopher P. Maier, acting assistant secretary of defense for
special operations and low-intensity conflict, testified today at a
Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the defense authorization
request for fiscal year 2022 and the future years defense program.
The special operations forces, or SOF, community's priorities, he
said, are to defend the nation, take care of its people and succeed
through teamwork.
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A Marine with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division and an Army Special Forces Soldier with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) provide security for a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fire mission during Exercise Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 16, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)
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"We continue to adapt the unique capabilities and problem solving
expertise of our special operators to the challenge of great power
competition with Russia and China, while strengthening the alliances
and partnerships that enhance our ability to compete," Maier said,
adding that protecting Americans from terrorist organizations is
also a top priority.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, SOF
continue to maintain a high level of operational readiness, he said.
"We remain focused on and are making progress in easing the strain
of high rates of overseas deployments."
Maier said
he is concerned about incidents of serious moral and ethical
failings within the SOF community. He added that last year, Socom
had conducted a comprehensive review of SOF culture and ethics.
The SOF community is also committed to enhancing diversity, he
said. "As we compete against different and more capable adversaries,
a more diverse force empowers us to draw upon broader perspectives,
different lived experiences and new ideas."
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Serbian Police from the Special Anti-terrorist Unit and U.S. Green Berets assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command Europe conduct a range day exercise
in snow covered conditions as part of their Joint Combined Exchange Training, March 15, 2021, in Serbia.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt Christopher Moore)
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Army Gen.
Richard D. Clarke, the commander of Socom, also testified. He noted
that SOF continues to deter and disrupt persistent threats by
terrorist and extremist organizations worldwide.
Below the
level of armed conflict SOF teams support a wide range of U.S.
policy objectives, and generate options to counter China, Russia and
other competitors, Clarke said.
As SOF forge partnerships
and build partner capacity, it gains access, placement and influence
to counter terrorist extremist organizations, he added.
"Today, as we sit here, nearly 5,000 special operators stand
vigilant in almost 60 countries. Their commitment to American
security and prosperity is inspirational and their enthusiasm to
learn, adapt and serve is infectious. It is my honor to lead them,"
Clarke said.
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