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Subject: SOCOM Learns To Say No
SYSOP    9/30/2013 5:30:13 AM
 
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trenchsol       10/1/2013 3:18:14 AM
Elite and, perhaps, special operation units existed even in ancient times. First true special operation force was invented by British in Boer war.
 
There has never been the problem establishing the truth that SOF are valuable and indeed do make the difference. The problem is peacetime, when special units don't fit into all kinds of administrative and political schemes. And, perhaps, cost more than some people are willing to spend. In the past they often got disbanded when the war was over.
 
 
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tobiathan    Maybe not   10/5/2013 7:34:59 PM

 
 SF  SOCOM personnel are a far better investment and the military was already beefing them up before 9/11. In the long term it will be far better to maintain high numbers of operators and scale back Cold War-era Bradley IFV Mechanized Army forces and light infantry and most other less-specialized forces and keeping a smaller, more specialized and highly trained forces like SOCOM fully staffed since there will *always* be plenty for SF types to do since the breadth and depth of their capabilities make them extremely versatile and adaptable.                                                                                                                    
 
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tobiathan    Maybe not   10/5/2013 7:46:49 PM
  In short i meant that the smart thing to do is to keep on growing SOCOM even in peacetime while cutting back on the old-fashioned Cold War-style conventional forces. With America's great capabilities for logistical support it will be possible to do more with less as long as the SOCOM guys can be alternated on missions etc.
 
  Basically making the US military a SOCOM-oriented force with smaller cadres of tanks and such to keep up both knowledge and experience so that in an emergency there can be a quick build up on regular forces if needed.
 
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WarNerd       10/6/2013 3:09:17 AM
  In short i meant that the smart thing to do is to keep on growing SOCOM even in peacetime while cutting back on the old-fashioned Cold War-style conventional forces. With America's great capabilities for logistical support it will be possible to do more with less as long as the SOCOM guys can be alternated on missions etc.
 
  Basically making the US military a SOCOM-oriented force with smaller cadres of tanks and such to keep up both knowledge and experience so that in an emergency there can be a quick build up on regular forces if needed.
While it would be desirable, there just aren’t enough willing people of SOCOM quality to make it happen. These are exceptional individuals.
 
But don’t worry about SOCOM getting cut in the current drawdown. The war against al-Qaeda is a SOCOM war plus some Air Force (mostly drones and AC-130s). The regular Army troops will just be holding their hat (guarding their bases and such), or serving as beaters.
 
Look at what happened in Mali. Al-Qaeda didn’t stand and fight, as soon as the French Army arrived al-Qaeda bugged out and moved to the next country(s) on their list. The counter for this tactic is to get SOCOM in the country in advance to interdict the escape routes. The Army beaters then drive the al-Qaeda forces to the SOCOM hunters.  Most recruits join al-Qaeda as an adventure and a chance for loot.  If they start seeing 60%-80% attrition in thier ranks (it will be much higher for the new recruits because they haven't learned the tricks to surviving yet) word will get around and the volunteers will dry up.
 
They also need to make greater use of the Marines. Most countries in Africa have a coastline, and a MEU can bring more firepower, quicker and safer, into the area than airlift.  Also, unlike the Army, the Marines love working with SOCOM.
 
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