Special Ops To Increase Force Strength

[Pendragon_6]

Apr. 25, 2005

Special Ops to Increase Force Strength to Meet Terror War Demands

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, April 25, 2005 – With the war on terror putting ever-increasing demands on special operations forces, U.S. Special Operations Command is boosting its manpower and increasing its support to theater commands and geographic commanders, according to the general who oversees this elite force.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the command has become the Defense Department’s lead in fighting terror, Army Gen. Bryan Brown, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee’s emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee April 22.

Special operations forces have applied their direct-action capability to capture or kill terrorists far forward, specifically in Afghanistan and Iraq, Brown said.

At the same time, the command is carrying out a wide range of other missions: helping other countries’ militaries become more capable, eliminating the root causes of terrorism through civil affairs activities, and discouraging participation in terrorist groups through psychological operations efforts.

To help meet these challenges, U.S. Special Operations Command plans to increase its force strength by more than 23,000 troops in the next four years, Brown said.

Continued
DOD (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2005/20050425_741.html)

[The_Sonarman]

To help meet these challenges, U.S. Special Operations Command plans to increase its force strength by more than 2,300 troops in the next four years, Brown said.
I was wondering about the numbers. I can believe 2,300. I wasn't sure about 23,000. These guys don't grow on trees. The only way I can imagine boosting the Special Forces 23,000 operators is easing up on their stringent entry requirements.

[Pendragon_6]

I was wondering about the numbers. I can believe 2,300. I wasn't sure about 23,000. These guys don't grow on trees. The only way I can imagine boosting the Special Forces 23,000 operators is easing up on their stringent entry requirements.

The way things stand right now, they can't get enough regular enlistments to maintain force strength, let alone the men needed for special ops.

best, p6

[The_Sonarman]

The way things stand right now, they can't get enough regular enlistments to maintain force strength, let alone the men needed for special ops.
There's an inherent problem buried here.

a. Special Forces Operators get one or two tours of duty in Afghanistan and/or Iraq., paid military pay plus combat pay.
b. When their enlistment is up, they can immediately go to work in the private sector, doing essentially the same thing, for over six figures.

That's a powerful inducement to go civvie.