“Actors taking a ‘gray zone’ approach seek to secure their objectives while minimizing the scope and scale of actual fighting,” Votel said in congressional testimony. “In this gray zone, we are confronted with ambiguity on the nature of the conflict, the parties involved, and the validity of the legal and political claims at stake. These conflicts defy our traditional views of war and require us to invest time and effort in ensuring we prepare ourselves with the proper capabilities, capacities, and authorities to safeguard U.S. interests.”

Special operations forces are particularly important in this new security environment because of their ability to respond with a wide range of capabilities. Votel told Congress that SOCOM’s advantage in this environment is built upon its persistent engagement, enabling of partners, and capability for discreet action when called for.

In ensuring American SOF continue to be prepared and equipped to operate and succeed in this gray zone of conflict, Votel said he has identified a series of objectives for SOCOM.

“I was very fortunate to assume command of a headquarters that was already operating at a high level,” Votel told The Year in Special Operations. “But that didn’t mean we wouldn’t benefit from an azimuth check, and a review of our efforts and goals. That’s why I sat down early on with all my commanders and set out to define our collective priorities. After talking with the command’s senior leaders, I saw five objectives as essential for USSOCOM and all of special operations forces.

Today, U.S. SOF are deployed to more than 80 nations worldwide, he told Congress, and are supporting 10 named operations. More than 3,500 personnel are deployed forward, with another 7,000 in support of GCC requirements on any given day.

“My first of these priorities is to ensure SOF maintains the readiness level required to accomplish the missions the nation expects of us. In order to maintain that readiness level, we will need to develop the right people, with the right skills, and provide them with the right capabilities to meet current requirements as well as the requirements that will emerge in the future. This means we must remain faithful to the first SOF Truth: Humans are more important than hardware. We will do this by investing in our people to ensure they have the right skills, the opportunity to develop their talents, and have equipment that will enhance their capabilities.”

Votel’s testimony before the HASC stressed that maintaining superior selection, training, and education for the force is a continuing goal, as is developing operators with the language and cultural expertise essential to building relationships and operating in complex situations. “Operational success for SOF often depends on being able to establish relationships with key partners. The strength of those relationships is founded on culturally attuned, regionally trained operators interacting directly with foreign officials and security forces in their own language,” Votel said in his statement to the HASC.

“Next, we must be successful in the role in keeping U.S. citizens safe and ensuring the nation effectively deals with today’s national security challenges. This will be done by following strategic Department of Defense guidance and serving as the global synchronizer of special operations and the provider of special operations forces in support of the Geographic Combatant Commanders [GCCs]. When the GCCs are successful, we are successful. When the GCCs win, the nation wins,” Votel told this publication. Today, U.S. SOF are deployed to more than 80 nations worldwide, he told Congress, and are supporting 10 named operations. More than 3,500 personnel are deployed forward, with another 7,000 in support of GCC requirements on any given day.

“Third, relationships are the cornerstone of the SOF mission,” Votel continued. “This means we must continue to build relationships in order to increase our situational awareness and understanding. The greater our situational awareness and understanding, the better we will be able to offer realistic, effective options for policymakers. Our relationships across the interagency and coalition partners have already had a positive impact. They have strengthened our ability to coordinate on matters such as hostage rescue, the movement of foreign fighters, international training, and developing the capabilities for responding to shared threats.”