Special Ops Support

The best way for U.S. Special Operations Command to support the geographic combatant commanders is by improving the theater special operations commands, SOCOM chief Adm. William McRaven said today.

Speaking at a National Defense Industrial Association special operations/low intensity conflict conference, McRaven said the future of special operations lies in how well the geographic combatant commanders are supported. “If we want to adequately address current and emerging challenges with a [special operations forces] solution, we need to increase their capability,” McRaven said, referring to the theater special operations commands, which serve as the COCOMs' primary command and control nodes for special operations in theater.

SOCOM is rebalancing its manpower to better support the TSOCs in a manner that does not increase its budget, McRaven said.

McRaven also noted that the continuing resolution funding the federal government is putting a “greater constraint on us than I think sequestration will,” adding that staying at fiscal year 2012 spending levels will mean about a billion dollars in lost spending capacity.

McRaven expects taht sequestration, if it gets triggered, will take even more off the top. As a result, SOCOM leaders will work to protect warfighting capability through prioritization, McRaven said, noting that lower priorities will not be funded to ensure the “guys at the tip of the spear are fully trained, fully equipped and ready to go.”