Military Times | David Maxwell
U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) require a fundamental restructuring, termed a "third special operations revolution," due to persistent congressional concerns regarding inadequate civilian oversight and operational issues. Despite legislative efforts since the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to empower the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) and establish the Special Operations Policy and Oversight Council (SOPOC), the Department of Defense has failed to fully implement these changes. The article proposes radical reforms: disestablishing U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) headquarters and the ASD SO/LIC position, and creating a new Department of Special Operations in Washington. This department would be led by a Secretary of Special Operations (SSO) and a Chief of Special Operations (CSO), who would become a permanent member of the Joint Chiefs. Additionally, the plan suggests designating the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) as a combatant command and elevating Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) to three-star commands, ensuring robust civilian oversight and optimizing SOF capabilities for national security and defense strategies.
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