Just in case anyone missed it, the USSOCOM Commander Is sending a clear message. There is no ambiguity here. We are in a different conflict, a more challenging one.
Any SOF folks who continue to chase the GWOT days are living in the past. As somebody who lived the GWOT experience, terrorism is just a symptom of State Actor support and intervention. Today, it’s wielded as a tool to destabilize an area, just before a nation state “offers protection”.
Chasing the terrorists is equivalent to chasing every thug knocking over a liquor store in the neighborhood, while ignoring the leaders who sent them in the first place. The mob, gangs, and unscrupulous business entities use the same tactics….and they are taking over OUR neighborhood.
Integrated deterrence is a strategy to protect the American way of life and more importantly the international rule of law. We can unite joint, interagency, intergovernmental, multinational and commercial partners to secure tomorrow. It will be difficult, it will require suspending your ego, and it will require letting others take control.
If we do it right, our grandchildren have a future but failure means surrendering our country to an authoritarian international order.
Don’t be fooled, China is the adversary. Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba and others are just puppets. They are tired of being marginalized and they are desperate to gain power. They will continue to use corruption, coercion and chicanery to gain ground.
Lucky for us, we have the U.S. Special Operations Command, filled with amazing men and women who can meet our adversaries where they are. With SOF’s incredible lethal capabilities validated, it’s time to demonstrate your non-lethal skills. Teamwork and commitment to our nation are the core of your service and the nation needs to see it.
Lastly, “Enablers” cannot sit on the sidelines, until you figure out how to use them. You have to let these experts you hired take control of their area of expertise. Unleash the full potential of your formation, to gain your true value proposition. The future depends on it!
"To be clear, DoD's main effort - integrated deterrence, is SOCOM's main effort."
USSOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton in his 2024 opening remarks to the #HASC Intelligence and Special Operations subcommittee.
"Since 1942, your SOF have accumulated six decades of strategic competition experience. Now combined with over two decades of hard-earned combat experience in the Global War on Terror. These eight decades make your special operations tailor-made for this era."
#People #Win #Transform
