Vickers highlighted SOCOM’s increasing intelligence capability and capacity as it develops a multi-service concept for irregular warfare focused on unconventional warfare, counterterrorism and foreign internal defense missions.
Vickers’ written remarks, “will add capacity to SOCOM in the foreign internal defense (FID) mission area, through its Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU) and in direct action/special reconnaissance mission area, through its two special operations battalions.” The creation and training of a Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), according to Mr. Michael Vickers, Director of Strategic Studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, discussed the effects of the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) on the Special Operations Command. Downing commented that, in previous meetings, the Secretary of Defense had concurred with the retired general’s recommendation to elevate the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command to a three star billet but that his recommendation to have JSOC report directly to the Secretary of Defense was ultimately turned down. Downing described the change as “necessarily gradual.” He underscored the positive aspects and potential drawbacks of the reorganization of SOCOM, specifically mentioning that “Rangers, or entry-level soldiers, are trained to become the prime source of candidates for the Army Special Forces and the Delta Force.” Gen. Downing responded to questions from members about the transition and expansion of SOCOM personnel with the implementation of the 2006 QDR. Drawing on his extensive special operations background, he explained that more engagement with foreign Special Operations units was one of the best assets in a counterinsurgency fight. Retired General Wayne Downing, former commander of SOCOM who currently chairs the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point and regularly advises senior Department of Defense officials, opened the testimony by stating the military can lose the war on terrorism but it cannot win it, and highlighted that we need to attack the political, economic, and social causes in conjunction with the military efforts. “As a committee, we must remain focused on the strategic objectives in this war and must ensure that SOCOM is properly positioned to achieve strategic success against an agile and adaptive foe, and to safeguard our nation and our allies from the threat of terrorists and violent extremism,” continued Saxton. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), chairman of the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. “For almost five years now, SOCOM has been leading the way in the war on terrorism: defeating the Taliban and eliminating a terrorist safe haven in Afghanistan removing a truly vicious Iraqi dictator and combating the terrorists who seek to destabilize the new, democratic Iraq,” said Rep.
Members of the subcommittee received testimony from a panel of independent experts from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments as well as from a former SOCOM commander. – Today the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities met to assess United States Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) missions and roles. Contact: Josh Holly (HASC), 20 or Greg Keeley (SAXTON), 20
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