Ezra Cohen-Watnick
Acting Under-Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
"Today the Department of Defense has started the process of formalizing what we have long known; the fundamental role of U.S. Special Operations in defense and foreign policy, by elevating special operations forces to a level on par with military departments as authorized and directed by Congress.
As we enact these reforms, we follow the vision of President John F. Kennedy, who predicted the rise of special operations nearly 60 years ago.
He forsaw 'another type of war, new in it's intensity, ancient in it's origin that would require a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force. Forces which are too unconventional to be called conventional forces, which are growing in number and important in significance.'
President Kennedy gave these remarks at the opening of the Nuclear Age, when the Pentagon was primarily organized to plan & direct large conventional operations against super powers, not special operations short of overt declared conflict.
The global demands for Special Operations Forces then and now has confirmed President Kennedy's foresight. And now under the leadership of President Trump we are fully realizing President Kennedy's pressing view of Special Operations Forces. It is fitting that we are again entering an era of great power competition.
As we gather to affirm the importance of the Special Operations community then as now, I know Special Operations Forces will play a vital and by the historic reforms we have enacted today we will ensure SO forces has a civilian advocate commensurate to the Secretary's of the other military departments.
I am honored to serve as your service Secretary
Thank you very much!"
Ezra Cohen-Watnick
Special Operations Leader to Report Directly to Acting Defense Secretary
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2419154/special-operations-leader-to-report-directly-to-acting-defense-secretary/
The Defense Department today started the process of elevating special operations forces on par with military departments per authority from the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, according to the acting defense secretary.
Christopher C. Miller directed the assistant secretary of defense for special operations/low-intensity conflict to report directly to him. His announcement was made today to troops at Fort Bragg, N.C November 18, 2020.
