USSOCOM

The NDIA 35th Annual Special Operations Symposium is scheduled for Feb. 19-20 in Washington, D.C. with key leaders from government, military, industry, academia, think tanks, and small business for relationship building as they explore this year's theme of "Special Operations in an Era of Strategic Competition." The #SpecialOps25 conference is expected to bring speakers and participants together to discuss the opportunities special operations provides in this modern era, the SOF requirements for a force of the future, and how industry can better support getting tech innovation into the hands of warfighters. Register at NDIA.org/SpecialOps25

Is your tech company interested in doing #science in #space? The International Space Station National Laboratory might be able to help you out with a Q&A session scheduled for tomorrow!

Happy 70th Birthday, SOF in Europe! U.S. SOCEUR traces its lineage to the establishment of Support Operations Command Europe in Paris, France, Jan. 22, 1955. This headquarters provided peacetime planning and operational control of special operations forces during the unconventional warfare in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. Read more on the 70-year history of #SOFinEurope: https://lnkd.in/ev7QvPMS

#StrongerTogether with our NATO SOF Allies.

Today, SOFWERX hosted the Acquisition Executive Small Business Forum; this forum is intended for USSOCOM to assess the state of its Small Business Program and to allow small businesses to discuss barriers to doing business with USSOCOM, provide input as to what USSOCOM is doing well, and provide suggestions for ways to make doing business with USSOCOM easier.

#ICYMI Building Bridges Through Silent Warrior “Silent Warrior serves as a bridge to further our bilateral relationships and is a testament to the dedication and respect we have with our African partners,” said U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander Gen. Michael Langley. Tunisia made history in December as the first African nation to host the Silent Warrior symposium, co-organized by U.S. Special Operations Command Africa and the Tunisian Ministry of Defense. More than 250 attendees from 40 nations gathered in Tunis for Silent Warrior 2024, an event dedicated to enhancing the operational effectiveness of African Special Operations Forces through collaboration and coordination. “We confronted the threats over the years," said Gen. Mohamed El Ghoul, Tunisian Land Forces commander. "We are prepared to share the experience we gained.” Events like Silent Warrior are pivotal in fostering strong, African-led solutions and lasting partnerships that promote regional security and stability. The symposium featured impactful discussions, breakout sessions, and demonstrations, showcasing Tunisia’s leadership and expertise in addressing regional security challenges. Tunisian Special Forces and the Counter-IED Center of Excellence highlighted their capabilities, including urban terrain operations and specialized canine training. “Tunisia’s steadfast leadership in hosting this event in Africa for the first time and allowing us to see firsthand how they are building security and stability is a clear example of how Silent Warrior leads to African-led solutions and strong partnerships,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. James Collado, SOCAF director for International Cooperation and Engagements. U.S. Embassy Tunis Read more here about Silent Warrior 2024 at https://lnkd.in/eN6aK6KT.

As a part of our continued investment in our people the command recently hosted instructors from the Joint Special Operations University to teach the school’s ethical leadership course. We regularly use courses and other training events like this to strengthen our ability to lead in ways that remain aligned with our SOF Truths, especially with the concept that “humans are more important than hardware.” A special recognition to our Chaplain and Preservation of the Force and Family team. They regularly host initiatives like this to empower and develop our people. Full story here: https://lnkd.in/gzCDH9jk

“As I depart, I do so with profound appreciation for your skill and commitment to protecting our fellow Americans every day and challenging yourselves and your teammates to do it even better.” - Hon. Christopher Maier, ASD SO/LIC

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Christopher Maier held his last all-hands meeting with his team in SO/LIC last week. SO/LIC is saying farewell to ASD SO/LIC Maier, Deputy Assistant Secretaries of Defense Maren Brooks, Erin M. Logan, and James Saenz, and Irregular Warfare and Counter Terrorism Chief of Staff Ryan Doherty. This team has risen to every challenge, innovated with purpose, and delivered results that have truly moved SO/LIC’s mission forward. Thank you for your service to the United States Department of Defense. Thank you to Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy's Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda J. Dory and USSOCOM's Gen. Bryan Fenton and Lieutenant General Frank Donovan for helping us bid them farewell.

U.S. Special Operations Command celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service with a commemorative walk on MacDill Air Force Base to pay tribute to his “March on Washington.” Our joint force service members also recited his “I Have a Dream” speech to honor the powerful words he spoke on that day in 1963.