HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

From the Commander
Our Past is Prologue
31 March 2008
As the United States Special Operations Command
(USSOCOM) embarks on its third decade, America’s
Special Operations Forces (SOF) are in the midst of a time
of unprecedented challenges and responsibilities. Since the
command’s establishment in 1987, SOF have supported
conventional forces, conducted independent special operations
around the world, and participated in all major combat
operations. Our Special Operators have also carried out
other missions ranging from non-combat evacuations to
bilateral training missions. In executing all of these assignments,
USSOCOM personnel have demonstrated daring,
skill, maturity, and versatility. Following the terrorist
attacks of 11 September 2001, SOF’s capabilities have
been, and will continue to be, broadly employed in the
Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).
President George W. Bush designated USSOCOM as the
lead for planning, synchronizing, and, as directed, conducting operations against terrorist networks. To
discharge these responsibilities, USSOCOM’s mission priorities are: deter, disrupt and defeat terrorist
threats; develop and support our people and families; and sustain and modernize the force. Defeating an
adaptive enemy requires the command to position our limited numbers of high demand SOF at the right
places, at the right times, for the right missions. We are dedicated to pursuing two essential and intertwined
approaches—direct and indirect—in order to disrupt violent extremist networks while positively
affecting the environment that spawns the extremists. USSOCOM will continue to ensure the highest
state of SOF readiness and make certain that the SOF Warrior remains the centerpiece of 21st century
Special Operations.
The Congress mandated the creation of USSOCOM more than two decades ago, and over this time, our
SOF Warriors have compiled an admirable record of success and achievement. Today’s environment
demands the skills of SOF more than ever. Our core tasks and adaptive personnel are uniquely suited to
engage in Irregular Warfare and to counter our enemies. Today’s SOF Warriors remain on point, armed
with the exceptional support of the U.S. government and American people, facing all present and future
challenges.
Eric T. Olson
Admiral, U.S. Navy
Commander