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Special Operations Forces

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Issue Summary

Special operations forces are active and reserve military forces that are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Special operations missions and activities range from direct action to strategic reconnaissance, security force assistance, countering weapons of mass destruction and hostage recovery. Special operations forces need to be agile, precise, and adaptable. They also face additional challenges that affect their readiness—such as civilian oversight, gender inclusivity, mental health concerns, and management issues. There are a number of ways the Department of Defense (DOD) could improve how it manages and supports these forces.

For instance:

  • Civilian oversight. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD-SO/LIC) oversees U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). However, its Secretariat is understaffed, with only 56 staff as of September 2023—below the required 80 to 94. Although a plan aims to reach 69 staff by 2024, it lacks key workforce planning elements, like addressing critical skill gaps. Additionally, inconsistent documentation of oversight policies and administrative challenges impact effective oversight. Improving staffing and policy documentation is essential to strengthening civilian oversight of SOCOM.

Comparison of Secretariat Staffing Levels with Required Levels, as of September 2023 

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  • Gender inclusivity. Women make up less than 10% of special operations forces—but about 19% of DOD’s servicemembers. However, U.S. Special Operations Command may not have the information it needs to fully assess the barriers affecting women's careers. For example, it doesn't have full access to timely, complete data on its assigned personnel, including incidents of discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault.

Potential Barriers to Women Serving in U.S. Special Operations Forces 

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  • Operational stress and wellness. Multiple deployments and busy training schedules can stress U.S. special operations forces and their families. To help, DOD established the Preservation of the Force and Family program, which offers services like physical therapy and counseling. But it's unclear whether this program is achieving its purpose because DOD hasn't fully defined its performance goals and measures. For example, DOD lists "neurocognitive assessments" as a way to measure program performance, but it doesn't describe what these assessments are or how to conduct them. Other key program terms are also poorly defined.
  • Management challenges. Over the last 20 years, DOD has increasingly deployed its special operations forces around the world to address the nation's most complex and sensitive security challenges. The number of personnel that perform this work has increased—from 45,700 in FY 2001 to 73,900 in FY 2021. DOD collects and uses data to oversee these forces while they are deployed. But the data itself has problems. For example, the data doesn't use standard terminology and doesn't offer complete, readily available information on these deployed personnel.

Special Operations Forces in the Levant region, which includes Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon

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  • Foreign language proficiency. U.S. special operations forces often need to know foreign languages to do their jobs overseas. The military services identify foreign languages for missions and how many personnel should know them. But planning officials couldn't explain how they align language needs with missions, and some of the identified needs may not be accurate or relevant. Also, many special operations forces aren't meeting language proficiency goals—in part because there aren't consistent consequences for them if they don't. Further, less than half of these personnel completed any foreign language training, and the average number of annual training hours completed was much less than required—due primarily to competing training demands and priorities.
  • Aircraft purchases. DOD plans to spend over $2 billion on 62 new aircraft through its Armed Overwatch program to address threats from violent extremist groups. However, SOCOM initially planned to buy 75 aircraft without completing the required analyses to justify this acquisition. SOCOM has since reduced the number but still has not fully justified the revised purchase. Additionally, SOCOM has not determined how it will replace reconnaissance and other capabilities provided by existing aircraft slated for retirement.

Armed Overwatch Aircraft

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Recent Reports

GAO Contacts