Special operations forces : elements, trends in force structure and funding / Naomi Duncan, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Duncan, Naomi, editor.

Series:

Military and veteran issues.

Military and Veteran Issues

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

U.S. Special Operations Command.

Special forces (Military science)--United States.

Special forces (Military science).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (122 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York, [New York] : Nova Publishers, 2016.

Summary:

Special Operations are military operations requiring unique modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment, and training often conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and characterized by one or more of the following: time sensitive, clandestine, low visibility, conducted with and/or through indigenous forces, requiring regional expertise, and/or a high degree of risk. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active and reserve component forces of the services designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Since 2001, the Department of Defense (DOD) has increased the size and funding of SOF and emphasized SOF's importance to meet national security needs. SOF deployments have focused on the Middle East and placed significant demand on the force during this period. This book examines trends since FY 2001 in authorized special operations military positions; the extent to which DOD has determined total funding for SOF; and the extent to which DOD has taken steps to manage the pace of SOF deployments, among other issues.

Contents:

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ELEMENTS, TRENDS IN FORCE STRUCTURE AND FUNDING ; SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ELEMENTS, TRENDS IN FORCE STRUCTURE AND FUNDING ; Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data; CONTENTS ; PREFACE ; Chapter 1 SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES: OPPORTUNITIES EXIST TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY OF FUNDING AND ASSESS POTENTIAL TO LESSEN SOME DEPLOYMENTS* ; WHY GAO DID THIS STUDY ; WHAT GAO RECOMMENDS ; WHAT GAO FOUND ; ABBREVIATIONS ; BACKGROUND ; SOCOM Roles and Responsibilities ; Organization, Oversight, and Funding of Special Operations Command

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS FOR SOF HAVE INCREASED SINCE 2001 BUT REMAIN A SMALL PORTION OF THE MILITARY SERVICES' TOTAL FORCE LEVELS Authorized Special Operations Military Positions have Increased since 2001 ; Special Operations Military Positions Constitute a Small Portion of the Military Services' Total Force Levels ; SPECIAL OPERATIONS- SPECIFIC FUNDING HAS INCREASED MARKEDLY SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2001, BUT DOD DOES NOT HAVE INFORMATION ON THE TOTAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT SOF ; Special Operations- Specific Funding Has Increased Considerably since Fiscal Year 2001

Services Also Provide Considerable Support to SOFDOD Has Little Visibility over Total Funding Devoted to SOF ; DOD HAS NOT FULLY CONSIDERED OPPORTUNITIES TO ALLEVIATE INCREASED SOF DEPLOYMENTS; SOF Deployments have Increased to Support Operations in the Middle East, but Focus is Beginning to Shift to Other Regions ; SOCOM Has Taken Steps to Manage the Effect of SOF Deployments, but Some Portions of SOF Are Still Heavily Deployed ; DOD Has not Fully Assessed Opportunities to Reduce the Demand for SOF ; CONCLUSION; RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION ; AGENCY COMMENTS AND OUR EVALUATION

APPENDIX I: OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGYAPPENDIX II: RESOURCES AT U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND; APPENDIX III: RESOURCES AT U.S. NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND ; APPENDIX IV: RESOURCES AT U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND; APPENDIX V: RESOURCES AT U.S. AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND ; APPENDIX VI: SPECIAL OPERATIONS-SPECIFIC FUNDING IN NOMINAL DOLLARS ; APPENDIX VII: U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND'S SERVICE COMPONENT COMMANDS' ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE DESCRIPTIONS ; End Notes

THE FUTURE OF SOF

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-63484-443-2