USSOCOM

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

Overview: The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) is a unified combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense, responsible for overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. USSOCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Budget: USSOCOM’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is approximately $9.7 billion. This budget supports a wide range of operations, maintenance, and development activities essential for maintaining and enhancing the capabilities of special operations forces (SOF). The budget allocation includes funding for personnel, training, equipment, and advanced technology development.

Technology Opportunities: USSOCOM is actively seeking innovative technologies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations. The command’s Science and Technology Directorate regularly publishes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) outlining current technology areas of interest. These areas include:

• Advanced communications and networking
• Cybersecurity and cyber operations
• Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
• Unmanned systems and robotics
• Advanced materials and manufacturing techniques
• Medical technologies for SOF personnel

In 2024, the Joint Capability and Technology Engagement (JCTE) initiative aims to create partnerships between SOF and industry under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) construct. This initiative focuses on accelerating SOF’s technical advantage by informing industry investments and fostering collaboration.

Services Opportunities: USSOCOM’s Directorate of Procurement (SOF AT&L-K) is responsible for acquiring a wide range of services to support special operations forces. This includes:

• Training and simulation services
• Logistics and supply chain management
• Maintenance and repair services
• Professional and technical services
• Research and development support

The command emphasizes agile and innovative contracting practices to ensure rapid acquisition and deployment of critical capabilities. Industry professionals interested in contracting opportunities can explore positions such as Contracting Officers, Contracting Specialists, and Procurement Analysts.

Future Capabilities and Strategic Focus: USSOCOM is increasingly focusing on non-kinetic concepts of operations (CONOPS), long-range fires, and enhancing partner force capabilities to address future threats, particularly from near-peer adversaries like China and Russia.

• Non-Kinetic CONOPS: USSOCOM is integrating non-kinetic capabilities, such as cyber operations, electronic warfare, and information operations, to influence adversaries and shape the operational environment without direct combat. This approach is crucial for strategic competition in the gray zone, where actions fall below the threshold of armed conflict.
• Long-Range Fires: The command is investing in advanced long-range precision fires to enhance its ability to strike targets at extended distances. This includes the development of new sniper rifles and missile systems capable of engaging adversaries from afar.
• Partner Force Capabilities: Building and enhancing the capabilities of partner forces is a key component of USSOCOM’s strategy. This involves training, advising, and equipping allied and partner nation forces to improve their ability to conduct special operations and counter shared threats.

Counterterrorism and Transregional Threats: Despite the shift towards great power competition, counterterrorism remains a core mission for USSOCOM. The command continues to address violent extremist organizations (VEOs) like ISIS and Al-Qaeda across multiple regions. This involves:

• Transregional Approach: USSOCOM employs a transregional strategy to combat terrorist networks that operate across borders and regions. This approach ensures seamless coordination and information sharing among international partners.
• Persistent Engagement: SOF units are deployed globally to disrupt terrorist activities, support partner forces, and address the root causes of extremism.
• Innovative Solutions: The command seeks nontraditional solutions to counterterrorism, including leveraging advanced technologies and enhancing cooperation with law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Strategic Competition with China and Russia: In the context of strategic competition, USSOCOM must maintain a technological edge and strategic advantage over China and Russia. This involves:

• Identifying and prioritizing geographic regions and strategic assets critical to U.S. interests.
• Developing and fielding advanced technologies to counter emerging threats.
• Enhancing interoperability with allied and partner forces to ensure cohesive and effective operations.

USSOCOM’s role in this competition extends beyond traditional counterterrorism operations, requiring a focus on multi-domain operations and the integration of both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to achieve strategic objectives.

Offset Considerations: To effectively employ SOF beyond their traditional counterterrorism role, USSOCOM is exploring offset strategies that leverage advanced technologies and innovative concepts. These strategies include:

• Multi-Domain Operations: Integrating SOF capabilities across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains to create a comprehensive and flexible operational approach.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Utilizing AI and machine learning to enhance decision-making, predictive analysis, and operational efficiency.
• Autonomous Systems: Deploying autonomous systems for reconnaissance, logistics, and combat support to reduce risk to personnel and increase operational reach.
• Resilient Networks: Developing secure and resilient communication networks to ensure uninterrupted command and control in contested environments.