SOCOM: Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times

By John D. Gresham - June 12, 2014

A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier pulls security around a Kuchi camp during a combat reconnaissance patrol in Shah Wali Kot District Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 18, 2014. The patrol was conducted in order to deny insurgent freedom of movement in eastern Shah Wali Kot. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sara Wakai

Leadership

For more than a decade, SOCOM has had exceptional leadership teams at its headquarters on MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), Tampa, Fla., and at the various SOCOM component commands. There were a few changes, but generally there was stability in the leadership within the U.S. SOF community during 2013. The leadership at virtually all levels of the American SOF community is solid and capable, although 2014 is already showing some changes coming. One change in 2013 came at the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC), where Michael D. Lumpkin replaced Michael A. Sheehan. Lumpkin brings to his new job previous experience as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict, as well as two decades as a U.S. Navy SEAL, with strong operational experience in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He will also be performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

U.S. Army MH-47 Chinook helicopters assigned to Alpha Company Four, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), perform deck landing qualifications aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) in the Pacific Ocean, April 28, 2014. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin Knight

The military leadership at SOCOM, as previously mentioned, saw no major changes in 2013 and continued to be headed by McRaven. His deputy commander during 2013 continued to be Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, USA, although Vice Adm. Sean Pybus, USN, has been nominated to take over this job in 2014. Continuing to support McRaven as the command’s senior enlisted advisor was Command Sgt. Major (CSM) Chris Faris, who, along with his wife, Lisa, has become a leading advocate for support of U.S. military personnel and families. Additional leadership of SOCOM includes:

U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) – Lt. Gen. Charles Cleveland continues to serve as commanding general at USASOC, and Command Sgt. Maj. George A. Bequer served as USASOC senior enlisted advisor. Also continuing in 2013 was USASOC’s civilian Senior Executive Service (SES) deputy to the commander, Richard Holcomb.

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) – Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, USAF, continued to command AFSOC throughout 2013, while Fiel’s senior enlisted advisor continued throughout 2013 to be Chief Master Sgt. William Turner.

Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) – In 2013, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, USN, was promoted to vice admiral, becoming commander of NATO SOF Headquarters in Mons, Belgium. He handed over his command of NAVSPECWARCOM to Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey, USN. Meanwhile, Force Master Chief Stephen D. Link handed over his duties as senior enlisted adviser to Force Master Chief Michael L. Magaraci.

U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) – Command of MARSOC in 2013 was retained by Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark, USMC. His senior enlisted advisor throughout 2013 also continued to be Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall.

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) – Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Votel, USA, continued to command JSOC throughout 2013, and was supported by Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark, USAF, as the deputy commander.
U.S. Navy SEALs climb a caving ladder during visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., July 16, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class William Parker

There also is another set of commands in the American SOF community: the regional special operations components of Unified Combatant Commands. Known as theater special operations commands, these regional SOF headquarters are rapidly becoming significant centers of gravity and influence in the U.S. military. There is a regular rotation between SOCOM’s headquarters and service components, the regional SOF components:

Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) – Maj. Gen. Michael Repass, USA, handed over command of SOCEUR in 2013 to Maj. Gen. Marshall B. “Brad” Webb, USAF. SOCEUR commands U.S. SOF forces that contribute to the NATO alliance, and has a footprint that runs as far south as the Middle East and as far north as the Arctic Circle. The senior enlisted advisor is Sgt. Maj. Charles M. Sekelsky.

Special Operations Command, Central (SOCCENT) – Based at MacDill AFB, SOCCENT is commanded by Maj. Gen. Michael Nagata, USA, who took over from Maj. Gen. Kenneth “Ken” Tovo, USA, in 2013. SOCCENT’s senior enlisted advisor is CSM Jeffery D. Stigal, who took over from CSM George Bequer in 2013.

Special Operations Command, Pacific (SOCPAC) – Based at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, SOCPAC covers a vast territory; more than 40 percent of the Earth’s surface is its area of responsibility (AOR). SOCPAC Commander Maj. Gen. Norman J. Brozenick, USAF, was relieved by Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe, III, USN, in 2013. SOCPAC’s senior enlisted advisor in 2013 continued to be CSM Anthony A. Pettengill, Sr.

Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) – SOCKOR provides SOF units and services to the commander, U.S. Forces Korea, and provides coordination with Republic of Korea (ROK) SOF. SOCKOR’s commanding officer in 2013 was Brig. Gen. Eric Wendt, supported by his senior enlisted advisor Command Chief Master Sgt. Matthew M. Caruso. In April 2014, Wendt became commanding general of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. Col. John Deedrick assumed command of SOCKOR in his place.

Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) – Command of SOCSOUTH continued to be held by Brig. Gen. Sean P. Mulholland, USA (a cousin of SOCOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. John Mulholland), throughout 2013. The command’s senior enlisted advisor continued to be Army CSM Thomas E. Wall.

Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) – SOCAFRICA is the SOF component for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). In 2013, command of SOCAFRICA was held by Brig. Gen. James B. Linder, while Sgt. Maj. David R. Gibbs handled the senior enlisted advisor duties.

Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) – JSOTF-P is the SOF force assigned to advise, assist, and train the armed forces of the Philippines in their campaign against insurgent rebels in the southern part of the country. In 2013, command of JSOTF-P transferred from Col. Mark A. Miller to Col. Robert McDowell, and the senior enlisted advisor was Sgt. Maj. Charles F. Beebe.

The year ahead in 2014 will see even more changes in SOCOM leadership, especially in the various component commands. In addition, a new TSOC headquarters is scheduled to stand up: Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH), assigned to U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).