SOCOM

Defense Primer: U.S. Special Operation Forces

The following is the Nov. 21, 2022, Congressional Research Service, Defense Primer: Special Operation Forces.

From the report

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....

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/22/defense-primer-u-s-special-operation-forces

GAO Report on U.S. Special Operations Forces

The following is the October Government Accountability Office report, Special Operation Forces: Better Data Necessary to Improve Oversight and Address Command and Control Challenges.

From the report

What GAO Found

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has established a variety of command and control (C2) structures to manage its Special Operations Forces (SOF). In calendar year 2021, USSOCOM reported that it had 28 active SOF C2 structures, primarily in the Middle East (Central Command) and...

https://news.usni.org/2022/10/07/gao-report-on-u-s-special-operations-forces-command-and-control

Panel Details Global Artificial Intelligence Arms Race

Harnessing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies has become the new arms race among the great powers, a Hudson Institute panel on handling big data in military operations said Monday.

Speaking at the online forum, Richard Schultz, director of the international security program in the Fletcher School at Tufts University, said, “that’s the way [Russian President Vladimir] Putin looks at it. I don’t think we have a choice” but to view it the same way.

He added in answer to a...

https://news.usni.org/2020/12/09/panel-details-global-artificial-intelligence-arms-race

Report to Congress on U.S. Special Operations Forces

The following is the Oct. 29, 2018 Congressional Research Service report, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress.

From the Report:

Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations and, in recent years, have been given greater responsibility for planning and conducting worldwide counterterrorism operations. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has about 70,000 Active Duty, National Guard, and reserve personnel from all four...

https://news.usni.org/2018/11/01/37763