Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

In alignment with Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 and recent Executive Orders issued by President Donald J. Trump, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict has reviewed and adjusted its social media content to ensure compliance with DoD policies and priorities. Read the Memo here: https://lnkd.in/eR5VUUuZ As a result, certain posts have been archived and removed, or are in the process of being removed or modified, to maintain consistency with federal guidance and uphold the integrity of our official communication channels. For any questions regarding social media policies, please refer to official DoD guidance and the DoD Instruction on Official Use of Social Media for Public Affairs Purposes available at https://lnkd.in/ePMZ_e6q

?? Attention Innovators, Researchers, and Industry Leaders! ?? SO/LIC's Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) is hosting Industry Day on March 6, 2025. IWTSD rapidly identifies, develops, and delivers cutting-edge solutions to enable the DoD and interagency partners to counter threats from Great Power competitors and non-state actors alike. Join us at Industry Day to: ? Engage directly with IWTSD program staff about FY 2026 research and development priorities ? Provide feedback on draft requirements before the final Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) ? Ensure your organization is aligned with DoD's most pressing operational needs This is the only opportunity to discuss upcoming requirements before the final solicitations are released. ?? REGISTER NOW https://lnkd.in/ekH6TSN8 Online registration closes on March 5, 2025 at 1200ET. On-Site registration will be available the day of the event. ?? Read the Draft BAAs https://lnkd.in/eKe4wYVq #WTSD #IndustryDay2025 #DefenseInnovation #IrregularWarfare #DoD #NationalSecurity

Happy Birthday, Marine Raiders! “Marines are who we are. Special operations are what we do.” Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was established in 2006 but trace their heritage to the 1942 Force Reconnaissance United States Marine Corps that stood up the 1st and 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalions to conduct reconnaissance, raids, and other special operations, especially behind enemy lines.

“Emerald Warrior is critical because it pushes the limits of our capabilities, refines our readiness, and ensures we can operate seamlessly in any environment,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. “This training certifies we can execute decisive operations alongside our Allies and partners whenever and wherever needed." Emerald Warrior provides the venue for realistic scenarios designed to test readiness in special operations forces across services and partner nations. Read the AFSOC story here: https://lnkd.in/eMsndDbg

Dr. Sandra Hobson, Director of SO/LIC’s Secretariat for Special Operations, joined a panel at the 35th Annual NDIA Special Operations Division’s Symposium. This year's conference, co-sponsored by USSOCOM, focused on SOF Priorities for Strategic Competition. During the panel, "What Winning Needs: Capabilities and Talent," Dr. Hobson, Lt. Gen. Frank Donovan, Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, and Force Master Chief Walter Dittmar shared their insights on talent management and innovation within the SOF community, discussing how strategic competition, cutting-edge technology, and highlighting the?strategic advantage of strong civilian-military partnerships working together to?align resources, policy, and operational priorities to strengthen SOF’s global impact. “SOF is an enabling capability, but I want to ensure it is recognized as a strategic tool within our national defense toolbox,” she said. “We must institutionalize SOF’s role and work closely with industry to secure the right technology and capabilities. Recruitment, retention, and training must meet the highest standards to effectively operate in a multi-domain environment, ensuring full interoperability with no surprises. It is essential that we collaborate with the services and Department of Defense stakeholders, not to reinvent the wheel, but to serve as a force multiplier in the broader defense strategy.” Thank you to the industry leaders, policymakers, and warfighters who attended the symposium to drive innovation in the SOF community. The Joint Staff USSOCOM Naval Special Warfare Command - Navy SEAL & SWCC Teams

“At 3% of the force for less than 2% of the budget, SOF is able to look transregionally and have conversations with all the other Combatant Commands to understand where the threats meet, and provide the best SOF across the planet.” - U.S. SOCOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Sean Farrell Feb. 20, 2025, during NDIA Special Operations Symposium Panel “Strategic Environment and SOF.”

“I tell my kids your situation doesn’t define you; it’s your ability to overcome that situation and come out better on the other side,” retired US Army Master Sgt. Ivan Morera, Invictus Team U.S. co-captain at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Invictus Team U.S. warriors competed at the 2025 Invictus Games with wounded, injured or ill military from 23 partner nations. Morera, an Army Green Beret who just retired after 24 years of service, lost his left hand in August 2013 after a suicide bomber in Afghanistan caused his vehicle to crash. He returned to duty and was the first one-handed medic in U.S. military history. He shares his hard times in recovery as a testament to resiliency, especially in adaptive sports. “That's how resiliency is built, through hard times,” said Morera. “As we say in special forces, it doesn’t matter how bad it sucks, if the weather is bad, when it's freezing, when you're wet, you're tired, you have to continue the mission. That's where resiliency is developed. We must keep going,” said Morera, who competed in the skeleton, the biathlon, and seated volleyball with Invictus Team U.S. The Invictus Games are designed to use the power of adaptive sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and enable healing for these warriors and their families. He said he is “willing to fight through and overcome any obstacle. We are Team U.S., and we’re proud.” Read more on the team co-captains' journeys of grit and determination here: https://lnkd.in/eu35VkbS

Dr. Sandra Hobson, Director of the Secretariat for Special Operations, and United States Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, vice commander of the USSOCOM visited Naval Special Warfare Command - Navy SEAL & SWCC Teams, Group 1, in San Diego, CA this week. They spoke with our dedicated Naval Special Warfare operators and US Navy Divers, gaining insights into the critical maritime capabilities SOF provides. This team is shaping the future of SOF, enhancing Joint Force lethality, and pushing the boundaries of excellence.

U.S. Special Operations Command develops, and employs, the world’s finest SOF to conduct global special operations and activities as part of the Joint Force, in concert with government agencies, allies and partners in support of our national security. From special reconnaissance and counterterrorism to hostage rescue and civil affairs, we train and equip our warriors to ensure combat readiness. 1st SOF Truth: Humans are more important than hardware. Read more about the people, mission, and priorities of U.S. SOCOM in the 2025 Fact Book here: https://lnkd.in/eQrwnDTf

Air Commandos - Any Place, Any Time, Anywhere Air Force Special Operations Command is always ready to answer our nation’s call. They provide specialized forces - capable across the spectrum of conflict - and air power for worldwide deployment. Exercise Emerald Warrior 25.1 is happening in multiple locations across Arizona and California.?It gives United States Air Force combat-ready forces the perfect training ground, with realistic scenarios to push their skills and test their readiness - including Agile Combat Employment capabilities. Mission Sustainment Teams train to ensure Air Commandos can deploy rapidly and execute operations in the most challenging environments with limited support.