Joint Force Structure and Operations Flashcards
What is the principal SOF organization used when SOF requirements exceed the TSOC capacity?
SOJTF
Who delegates OPCON of TSOCs to GCC?
SOCOM
What element is the focal point for SOF/CF coordination?
Special Operations Command and Control Element
What element links a forward deployed permanent presence to the TSOCs?
SOC-FWD
Principles of civilian control over the military?
Congress
- Exclusive power to raise and support armies
- Declare war
President
- Nation’s Chief Executive and Commander in Chief
- Authority to make treaties and to appoint Federal Officers
What is the National Security Organization?
President-led group of executive Departments
Who makes up the National Security Council?
VPOTUS, DOS, DOD, DOE, and DOT
What is the job of the NSC?
Advises the President on the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies as they relate to the national security.
Development steps of DOD? (5)
War Department established in 1789
National Security Act of 1947
Amendments of 1949
Goldwater-Nichols DOD Reorganization Act 1986
Homeland Security Act 2002
National Security Act of 1947? (5)
Created the NSC
Created the National Military Establishment
Created the Services Secretaries
Created the Unified and Specified COCOM
Legitimized the JCS as permanent organization
Amendments of 1949? (4)
Changed National Military Establishment to DOD
Created the position of SECDEF
Made the SECDEF the principle assistant to the President in all manners pertaining to DOD
Placed the SECDEF in the operational chain of command
Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986? (4)
Rectify problems in joint operations
Major defense organization
Operational authority was centralized through the Combatant Commanders as opposed to the service chiefs
Clarified the roles and responsibilities of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Homeland Security Act of 2002? (3)
Created a new Department, DHS
Prescribed the purpose of DHS is to prevent terrorist attacks within the US
Transferred agencies under DHS
Definition of ROLES?
are the broad and enduring purposes for which the Services and the CCMD were established on law (Congress, 1987). In broadest term is to organize, train, and equip forces.
Definition of FUNCTIONS?
Specific responsibilities assigned by the President and SECDEF
Definition of TASK?
Clearly defined action or activity assigned to an individual or organization
Definition of MISSIONS?
Entails the task, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason therefore.
Task assigned by the SECDEF and the President or the President to the CDRs o the CCMD.
Role of the Army?
Combat Operations on Land
Functions of DOD? (3)
Support and defend the Constitution of the US
Ensure timely and effective military actions
Uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the US
Where does USASOC fall under?
Army G-3/5/7 (Operations)
COCOM? (10)
Specified or unified command
Single commander
Established and so designated by the President
Geographic or functional responsibilities
Missions assigned by SECDEF and/or President
Broad continuing mission
Significant forces
Two or more military Department
Single strategic direction
Also called unified combatant command
Specified Command (4)
Broad continuing mission, normally functional
Established and so designated by the President
Normally composed of forces from a single military department
Also called specified combatant command
Four Functional commands
Strategic Command
Cyber Command
Special Operations Command
Transportation Command
Unified Command Plan? (5)
The document that gives basic guidance to all combatant CDR.
Establishes CCMD missions, responsibilities, and force structure.
Delineates geographic AOR for GCC
Specifies functional responsibilities for functional combatant commanders.
flexible; CJCS review every two years, recommend changes to president thru SECDEF
Subordinate Unified Commands (2)
Authorized by SECDEF through the CJCS or commanders of unified CCMDs may establish subordinate unified commands
Executes operations on a continuing basis IAW the criteria set forth for unified CDRs
Ex: JSOC, TSOC, USFK
Service Component Commands
make recommendations to the JFC on the proper employment, task organization, and command relationship of the forces of the Service component
Aligned strategies? (President ->JCS)
President - National Security Strategy
SECDEF - National Defense Strategy
CJCS - National Military Strategy
How many joint functions (=joint WFF)?
7
C2, Information, Intelligence, Fires, Movement and maneuver, sustainment, protection
Levels of Warfare
Strategic level: National Policy, Theater Strategy
Operational: Campaigns, Major Operations
Tactical: Battles, Engagements, Small-Unit and crew actions
Definition Campaigns?
is a series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time and space. Exceeds the scope of major operations.
Global, theater, and subordinate
Definition Operations? (3)
is a sequence of tactical actions within a common purpose or unifying theme
major operation is a series of tactical actions, such as battles, engagements, and strikes, conducted by combat forces coordinated in time and place, to achieve strategic or operational objectives in an operational area.
Does not have to be combat related
Joint Task Force? (5)
A JTF is a joint force that is constitutes and so designed by (SECDEF, CCDR, subordinate unified CDR, existing JTF CDR).
Geographic or functional basis.
a JFC has the authority to organize forces to best accomplish the assigned mission based on the CONOP.
The JFC will establish subordinate commands, assign responsibilities, establish or delegate appropriate command and support relationships, and establish coordinating instructions for the component commanders.
Dissolved when purpose has been achieved or it is no longer required .
Joint Force Special Operations Component Commander?
Can be commanded by the TSOC CDR
SOJTF? (5)
Principal joint SOF organization
Modular, tailorable, and scalable command
Used for Major Ops, campaigns, and contingencies
Used when SOF requirements exceed the TSOC capacity
GO Command
JSOTF
O-6 Command
A joint task force comprised of SO units from more than one service, formed to carry out a specific operation or prosecute SO ISO of a theater campaign or other operations.
SOCCE (4)
The special operations command and control element is the focal point for SOF/CF coordination, and the synchronization of special operations activities with other joint operations.
The SOCCE is normally employed when SOF conducts operations ISO CF
It performs C2 or liaison functions according to the mission requirements and as directed by the establishing SOF commander
The SOCCE is a command and control element generally based on a US Army Special Forces Company HQ (AOB)
SOC-FWD (5)?
These nodes link the TSOC to forward deployed tactical SOF units with a permanent presence that execute distributed special operations.
Provide a SOF voice and influence to JTF and COM activities
The GCC normally exercises OPCON of attached SOF through CDRTSOC
Tailored, operation-level HQ that provides a permanent presence, and C2 capability. O-4 to O-6 command
If conditions warrant more robust SOF presence and engagement, a SOC-FWD can transition to a JSOTF.
SOLE (3)
a team provided by the JFSOCC or JSOTF CDR to the JFACC or appropriate service component air C2 organization.
coordinate, de-conflict, and integrate special operations air, surface, and sub-surface operations with conventional air operations.
Provides a SOF presence in the JAOC that is aware of the activities of SOF units in the field and by providing visibility of SOF operations in the air tasking.
SOLO? (3)
SOLOs are in-country SOF advisors to the US country team.
is the CDRUSSOCOM’s direct representative and the primary Of advisor to the SDO/DATT, country team, and to the HN SO leadership.
They advise and assist partner nation SOF in the development of the partner nation SOF activities and synchronize activities between the HN and the US.
SOFLE? (5)
is a task organized rotational SOF element deployed within a specific nation or embedded within CF to conduct liaison activities.
coordinate, assess, and recommend training, equipping, and engaging opportunities with the HN forces or provide connectivity and synchronization of expeditionary forces.
TSOCs may establish a SOFLE on a temporary basis in a country that does not have a SOLO or SOF representative assigned.
Attached to the USEMB, partner nation force, or c and coordinate with HN forces.
Individual or team//can engage in SOF activities.
SOSTs? (4)
Special operations supports teams are cornerstones of the USSOCOM National Capitol Region elements:
- USSOCOM representatives embedded with the NCR HQ of interagency partners to foster interagency coordination and collaboration
- liaisons from CDRUSSOCOM to the other USG department or agency partner
- a major element in the global SOF network that enables interagency coordination overseas
