The Role of Special Operations Forces in Information Warfare: Enablers, Not Cyber Warriors

Abstract

Abstract : Of the nine principal missions the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is assigned, one - Information Warfare (IW) - is not unique to SOF. Conventional forces also execute IW. As a result, SOF runs the risk of losing its unique character as it tries to assume a role that conventional forces can fulfill. Thus, IW should be downgraded from a principal mission for SOF to a collateral activity, or secondary mission. SOF, because of the close access they maintain to many targets and the unique regional focus of the majority of SOCOM assets, can fill a critical void in U.S. military IW. As IW matures and missions evolve for both special operations and conventional forces, SOF must stake a claim that allows them to retain their core competencies but not duplicate conventional missions, and must invest in those aspects of IW that complement currently assigned tasks. They must act as enablers for U.S. IW efforts as they offer unique capabilities that no other force can bring to bear. They literally cannot afford to become cyber warriors or cyber illiterates.