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SOCOM Civilian of the 4th Quarter 2011 Award Winners

On behalf of the CDR, J1-C is pleased to announce the Civilian of the 4th Quarter 2011 Award Winners: Category 3 – Ms. Diana Lynn Chancey – SORDAC Category 2 – Ms. Kelly Hughes – SORDAC Category 1 – Ms. Janette Terrelonge – J1
SOCOM Civilian of the 4th Quarter 2011 Award Winners

Where the brotherhood began

In 1997, eight Special Forces Soldiers traveled to Bolivia to train and advise a battalion of Bolivian Army rangers. Beyond running the battalion’s light infantry certification training, the Special Forces team used their downtime to refine their own techniques and tactical proficiency; and they allowed a motivated 20-year-old Bolivian Army corporal to participate in their team training sessions.
Where the brotherhood began

Sovereign Challenge Encourages International Dialogue

United States Special Operations Command hosted the Sovereign Challenge VIII conference in Savannah, Georgia, Dec 6-9.
Sovereign Challenge Encourages International Dialogue

Adm. McRaven hosts his first All-Hands

Adm. Bill H. McRaven, USSOCOM commander, held his first All Hands call at Hangar 3, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 6. Adm. McRaven and Command Sgt. Major Chris Faris discussed their leadership philosophy and their focus on winning the current fight, strengthening the global SOF alliance and preserving the force. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry Carpenter, Jr.
Adm. McRaven hosts his first All-Hands

USSOCOM artist designs Vietnam Memorial and its surrounding grounds

A new Vietnam Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day in Hillsborough County near Tampa, Fla., and the expansive memorial and its surrounding grounds were based on concepts and sketches by USSOCOM artist Tim Lawn.
USSOCOM artist designs Vietnam Memorial and its surrounding grounds

Joint Special Operations University receives the Elliott Masie Learning Award

Dr. Joe Kilgore, left, Joint Special Operations University Dean of Academics, receives the 2011 Learning Spotlight Award from Elliott Masie, who heads the MASIE Center, an international think tank focused on changing how the workforce learns and performs. The award is given to members of Masie's "Learning Consortium" who demonstrate exceptional performance in learning and development. JSOU received the award during Masie's recent conference in Orlando, Fla.
Joint Special Operations University receives the Elliott Masie Learning Award

Sgt. Joel Tavera is welcomed home by dignitaries, volunteers

Families, friends, volunteers and servicemen welcomed Sgt. Joel Tavera to his new home, Nov. 19 in New Tampa. Tavera, who was injured in Iraq over three years ago and has gone through 73 surgeries, received his house while hundreds of well-wishers looked on. “I think this house is wonderful,” said Tavera. “A lot of people came together to make this house for me, I couldn’t possibly name every single person that was involved, but I’d like to thank all of you.”
Sgt. Joel Tavera is welcomed home by dignitaries, volunteers

Senior Green Beret of the Army retiring after 37 years of service

Lt. Gen. David P. Fridovich, U. S. Special Operations Command deputy commander retired Nov. 14, after more than 37 years of service in a ceremony at the Davis Conference Center, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
Senior Green Beret of the Army retiring after 37 years of service

SORDAC members win top DOD awards

On any average day the USSOCOM acquisition team, the Special Operations Forces Acquirers, execute more than 200 acquisition programs and 400 projects, conduct more than 100 combat evaluations, execute more than 60 procurement actions, obligate more than $11 million, deliver more than 30 communications equipment and weapon systems, and field more than 37,000 rounds of munitions—a formidable effort by any means that has not gone unnoticed.
SORDAC members win top DOD awards

Naval Special Warfare Special Boat Team trains with Chilean Special Operations

VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile – With more than 2,500 miles of shoreline, Chile accounts for a large portion of South America’s western coastline. With such a large area to secure, it can certainly be challenging at times.
Naval Special Warfare Special Boat Team trains with Chilean Special Operations
The continued evolution and development of modern SOF is a result of 50 years of experience, including a world war, three large regional wars, many similar conflicts and operations other than war. SOF have witnessed periods of improvisation, rapid build-ups and subsequent rapid draw­downs, some magnificent successes and some equally spectacular failures. The following SOF Truths capture the essence of lessons learned over the past decades, and provide a foundation for thinking about SOF today and in the future.

Hover over the Truths above to learn more.

Humans are more important than hardware.


People – not equipment – make the critical difference. The right people, highly trained and working as a team, will accomplish the mission with the equipment available. On the other hand, the best equipment in the world cannot compensate for a lack of the right people.

Quality is better than quantity.


A small number of people, carefully selected, well trained, and well led, are preferable to larger numbers of troops, some of whom may not be up to the task.

Special Operations Forces cannot be mass produced.


It takes years to train operational units to the level of proficiency needed to accomplish difficult and specialized SOF missions. Intense training – both in SOF schools and units – is required to integrate competent individuals into fully capable units. This process cannot be hastened without degrading ultimate capability.

Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur.


Creation of competent, fully mission capable units takes time. Employment of fully capable special operations capability on short notice requires highly trained and constantly available SOF units in peacetime.

Most special operations require non-SOF assistance.


The operational effectiveness of our deployed forces cannot be, and never has been, achieved without being enabled by our joint service partners. The support Air Force, Army, Marine and Navy engineers, technicians, intelligence analysts, and the numerous other professions that contribute to SOF, have substantially increased our capabilities and effectiveness throughout the world.
Retrieving Data
Retrieving Data
Retrieving Data

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