Text taken from the Telegram channel of @neinsider
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] The United States has defined future priorities in the development of special operations forces (SOF).
On May 11, during a briefing as part of the "SOF Week" in Tampa (Florida), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Colby Jenkins announced the main priorities according to which the SOF reform is planned, previously announced by the new Secretary of Defense Hegseth.
- Rebuilding SOF and its structure to the requirements that will prevail in future conflicts.
- SOF fighters must be as effective as possible.
- Training of new personnel must meet new standards that will be determined by the conditions of future conflicts.
- Development and construction of SOF will correspond exclusively to strategic interests.
- Control over the distribution and use of resources will be strengthened.
Regarding the first point, the United States has determined that it is now necessary to move from old formations and units, mainly optimized to respond to crisis situations and the fight against terrorism, to new "adaptable and multi-domain SOF formations." That is, moving away from standard units like the 75th Ranger Regiment to smaller, more mobile units using the latest intelligent systems and technologies that will operate in a strategic hybrid conflict.
In terms of "improving efficiency" and "training," the priority here will be to train future operatives who, in their physical and mental qualities, must be able to cope with "future high-tech conflicts," capable of using high-performance military technologies and systems, and operating autonomously in an environment controlled by the enemy.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the future of armed conflict will be unlike anything SOF has ever encountered before. Therefore, it is necessary to train units that can combine traditional actions with actions in cyberspace, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance. Conduct irregular warfare using various regional local forces, from the stage of strategic competition to strategic conflict.
As for the focus on strategic interests, everything is generally clear here. The tasks of such units will be the creation of regional problems (for example, the organization of coups and internal armed conflicts) in the areas of interest of strategic opponents, which will entail corresponding costs and tie "geopolitical" competitors in regional conflicts, with all the ensuing consequences. And so on and so forth. The fight against global terrorism is no longer a priority.
Regarding the strengthening of control over funds and resources, everything is clear here. They will cut as much as possible the costs of bureaucracy, which does not carry any military effectiveness.
At the same time, what is important, in reforming SOF, so to speak, wishes and proposals "from below" will be taken into account.
It is obvious that preparations for future conflicts are in full swing. In general, the right conclusions are being drawn from the SVO.
The intentions to increase the effectiveness of SOF are quite obvious.