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Military Seeks to Use Specialized Soldiers’ Abilities for Wider Range of Tasks Military Sees Broader Role for Special Operations Forces, in Peace and War
(about 1 hour later)
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Here at the headquarters of the Army Special Operations Command, planning is well under way for a significantly increased presence in Africa, Asia and Latin America for the Special Forces soldiers with the distinctive green berets who were the first American troops into Afghanistan after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Special Operations forces, which include Green Berets, Navy SEAL teams, the Rangers and specialized aviation units, have historically been a small corner of the military and not always embraced by conventional commanders. But they took on large and central roles for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and their integration with the conventional military transformed the way the Defense Department is thinking about future conflicts. FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Here at the headquarters of the Army Special Operations Command, planning is well under way for a significantly increased presence in Africa, Asia and Latin America for the Special Forces soldiers with the distinctive green berets who were the first American troops into Afghanistan after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Special Operations forces, which include Green Berets, Navy SEAL teams, the Rangers and specialized aviation units, have historically been a small corner of the military and not always embraced by conventional commanders.
But they took on large and central roles for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and their integration with the conventional military transformed the way the Defense Department is thinking about future conflicts.
Army Special Operations forces number only 23,000 soldiers in all, and Green Beret “A Teams” are in high demand. Because of deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, Special Operations commanders have been able to meet barely half the requests from regional military headquarters outside the Middle East.Army Special Operations forces number only 23,000 soldiers in all, and Green Beret “A Teams” are in high demand. Because of deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, Special Operations commanders have been able to meet barely half the requests from regional military headquarters outside the Middle East.
“The nation does not want another Afghanistan,” said Lt. Gen. Charles T. Cleveland, head of the Army Special Operations Command. “So, how do we prevent conflict? Army Special Operations forces can be out there looking at instability, and looking at how to build capabilities.”“The nation does not want another Afghanistan,” said Lt. Gen. Charles T. Cleveland, head of the Army Special Operations Command. “So, how do we prevent conflict? Army Special Operations forces can be out there looking at instability, and looking at how to build capabilities.”
General Cleveland said he envisioned preparing his soldiers for two broad missions. “When I am at war, I have to campaign to win,” he said. “When I am not at war, I am campaigning to either shape the environment or I am campaigning to prevent war.” Although the large conventional military is out of Iraq and is leaving Afghanistan, Special Operations forces will remain “in an era of persistent operations,” he said.General Cleveland said he envisioned preparing his soldiers for two broad missions. “When I am at war, I have to campaign to win,” he said. “When I am not at war, I am campaigning to either shape the environment or I am campaigning to prevent war.” Although the large conventional military is out of Iraq and is leaving Afghanistan, Special Operations forces will remain “in an era of persistent operations,” he said.
But Americans have shown little appetite to support another large-scale overseas military effort — and President Obama vowed in his State of the Union message that America would not occupy other nations on his watch. So the Pentagon is working “by, with and through” allied and partner nations to enhance global security, to use the current catchphrase.But Americans have shown little appetite to support another large-scale overseas military effort — and President Obama vowed in his State of the Union message that America would not occupy other nations on his watch. So the Pentagon is working “by, with and through” allied and partner nations to enhance global security, to use the current catchphrase.
Special Forces has sent small groups of Green Berets to train foreign fighters for decades, and that mission is expected to expand.Special Forces has sent small groups of Green Berets to train foreign fighters for decades, and that mission is expected to expand.
Also under consideration are plans to increase the number of small teams of Green Berets, who are trained in foreign cultures and languages, assigned to American embassies to support noncombat efforts, in particular identifying security risks before they reach crisis level.Also under consideration are plans to increase the number of small teams of Green Berets, who are trained in foreign cultures and languages, assigned to American embassies to support noncombat efforts, in particular identifying security risks before they reach crisis level.
In past years, some military liaison personnel assigned to assess security in foreign countries did so outside the purview of the embassy, causing intense disagreements with the State Department. Future assignments, officials say, would be closely coordinated with the American embassy in each country.In past years, some military liaison personnel assigned to assess security in foreign countries did so outside the purview of the embassy, causing intense disagreements with the State Department. Future assignments, officials say, would be closely coordinated with the American embassy in each country.
A recent exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., tested new ways for conventional commanders and their Special Operations counterparts to swap control over swaths of territory — and command of the Special Operations or conventional units on that ground — as required by shifting battlefield demands.A recent exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., tested new ways for conventional commanders and their Special Operations counterparts to swap control over swaths of territory — and command of the Special Operations or conventional units on that ground — as required by shifting battlefield demands.
General Cleveland said that another change across the Army’s Special Operations Command was the continued integration of his soldiers in overseas operations even after they return home to the United States between deployments. Traditionally, the Army has had what amounts to two armies: one operating in the field and one at home training.General Cleveland said that another change across the Army’s Special Operations Command was the continued integration of his soldiers in overseas operations even after they return home to the United States between deployments. Traditionally, the Army has had what amounts to two armies: one operating in the field and one at home training.
When assigned to their home bases, regional experts within Army Special Operations force would continue to support overseas operations by assisting in mission planning, organizing information campaigns and sifting through intelligence — but from the rear.When assigned to their home bases, regional experts within Army Special Operations force would continue to support overseas operations by assisting in mission planning, organizing information campaigns and sifting through intelligence — but from the rear.
A challenge is to more effectively combine the tactical expertise of Special Operations forces in carrying out specific missions into the wider United States government effort to stabilize nations at risk and prevent crisis or war — a task that is far more complicated than simply targeting a terrorist leader or training an allied platoon.A challenge is to more effectively combine the tactical expertise of Special Operations forces in carrying out specific missions into the wider United States government effort to stabilize nations at risk and prevent crisis or war — a task that is far more complicated than simply targeting a terrorist leader or training an allied platoon.
“You need to have guys who understand not just the tactical level but also how to write campaign plans and put together multiple lines of effort over extended periods of time to achieve a strategic result,” General Cleveland said. “Who writes the campaign plan for Yemen? Where do you train that guy?”“You need to have guys who understand not just the tactical level but also how to write campaign plans and put together multiple lines of effort over extended periods of time to achieve a strategic result,” General Cleveland said. “Who writes the campaign plan for Yemen? Where do you train that guy?”
His headquarters has picked up that challenge. Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr., commander of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, which trains soldiers for Special Forces, civil affairs and military information support, together with the Army’s central school at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is developing a new program to teach “special operations campaign arts.”His headquarters has picked up that challenge. Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr., commander of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, which trains soldiers for Special Forces, civil affairs and military information support, together with the Army’s central school at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is developing a new program to teach “special operations campaign arts.”