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