USSOCOM

“At 3% of the force for less than 2% of the budget, SOF is able to look transregionally and have conversations with all the other Combatant Commands to understand where the threats meet, and provide the best SOF across the planet.” - U.S. SOCOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Sean Farrell Feb. 20, 2025, during NDIA Special Operations Symposium Panel “Strategic Environment and SOF.”

Today we celebrate 19 Years of excellence. MARSOC was activated on Feb. 24, 2006 after Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the creation of a Marine Corps component inside United States Special Operations Command.      We take great pride in the legacy built by those who came before us and our Warrior Ethos, which drives our pursuit of excellence today.      The road ahead is far from certain, but our Values will never change. Through our tenacity and innovation, we deter enemies and defeat them if necessary.  We are Warfighters, Capable, Lethal, and Ready. Spiritus Invictus 🎥 Sgt. Evan Jones USSOCOM

Happy Birthday, Marine Raiders! “Marines are who we are. Special operations are what we do.” Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was established in 2006 but trace their heritage to the 1942 Force Reconnaissance United States Marine Corps that stood up the 1st and 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalions to conduct reconnaissance, raids, and other special operations, especially behind enemy lines.

On Feb. 24. 1969, Airman Levitow flew on a combat air patrol over South Vietnam as the loadmaster of an AC-47 gunship “Spooky.” The U.S. Air Force gunship was patrolling in the vicinity of Tan Son Nhut, when the Army Post at nearby Long Sinh came under mortar attack. The aircraft was diverted to aid in the defense of the post. Firing its miniguns at the enemy, the gunship knocked out two mortar positions, but further firings were observed a few kilometers away. As the AC-47 flew in that direction, a mortar shell fell on the top of its right wing. A brilliant explosion shook the aircraft violently and the fuselage was riddled by thousands of shell fragments. Airman Levitow and another crew member were standing near the open cargo door at that moment, dropping parachute illumination flares. The explosion knocked both to the floor, and a flare that they were handling was tossed inside the cargo compartment. Spewing toxic smoke, the activated magnesium flare was due to separate explosively from its canister and ignite within seconds. Although stunned and wounded by shrapnel, Airman Levitow moved forward in the compartment and flung himself on the flare to keep it from rolling. He then dragged himself and the flare back toward the cargo door and tossed it out. The flare ignited just as it cleared the aircraft. Airman Levitow was awarded the Medal of Honor for his selfless heroism that saved his fellow crew members and the gunship. Air Force Special Operations Command

“Emerald Warrior is critical because it pushes the limits of our capabilities, refines our readiness, and ensures we can operate seamlessly in any environment,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. “This training certifies we can execute decisive operations alongside our Allies and partners whenever and wherever needed." Emerald Warrior provides the venue for realistic scenarios designed to test readiness in special operations forces across services and partner nations. Read the AFSOC story here: https://lnkd.in/eMsndDbg

“It's not that SOF has awakened ... the moment has arrived where others are coming to the realization that Special Operations are needed now more than ever ... we are tailor-made for an era where competition, crisis response, and counterterrorism is now fused and converged,” said U.S. SOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton during his #SpecialOps25 Fireside Chat.

Dr. Sandra Hobson, Director of SO/LIC’s Secretariat for Special Operations, joined a panel at the 35th Annual NDIA Special Operations Division’s Symposium. This year's conference, co-sponsored by USSOCOM, focused on SOF Priorities for Strategic Competition. During the panel, "What Winning Needs: Capabilities and Talent," Dr. Hobson, Lt. Gen. Frank Donovan, Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, and Force Master Chief Walter Dittmar shared their insights on talent management and innovation within the SOF community, discussing how strategic competition, cutting-edge technology, and highlighting the strategic advantage of strong civilian-military partnerships working together to align resources, policy, and operational priorities to strengthen SOF’s global impact. “SOF is an enabling capability, but I want to ensure it is recognized as a strategic tool within our national defense toolbox,” she said. “We must institutionalize SOF’s role and work closely with industry to secure the right technology and capabilities. Recruitment, retention, and training must meet the highest standards to effectively operate in a multi-domain environment, ensuring full interoperability with no surprises. It is essential that we collaborate with the services and Department of Defense stakeholders, not to reinvent the wheel, but to serve as a force multiplier in the broader defense strategy.” Thank you to the industry leaders, policymakers, and warfighters who attended the symposium to drive innovation in the SOF community. The Joint Staff USSOCOM Naval Special Warfare Command - Navy SEAL & SWCC Teams

Air Commandos are ready to operate Any place, Any time, Anywhere. No matter the conditions, maintainers ensure Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft are combat-ready. Their dedication is #Steadfast.

"Adversary convergence is not in our best interest. We are looking at what's in the best interest in our Western Hemisphere. Strategic competition is a team sport and joint warfighting plays to our SOF strengths," said US Navy Rear Adm. Mark Schafer, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command South, at NDIA’s 35th Annual Special Operations Symposium focused on “The Value of SOF in an Era of Strategic Competition.” The #SpecialOps25 discussions emphasized the formidable deterrence SOF provides to deter aggression, the requirements for a combat-ready force of the future, and how industry can better support tech innovation in the hands of our warfighters. The conference participants from across small business, academia, government, industry, Congress think tanks and other stakeholders discussed how U.S. Special Operations can harness new tools to enhance the foundational SOF truths, how they can continue to be the tipping point in integrated deterrence left of conflict, and SOF’s role in winning with partner forces when conflicts occur. Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict U.S. Space Command U.S. Cyber Command

#OTD in 1942 the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion was established, days after the 1st Battalion stood up, to conduct reconnaissance, raids, and other special operations, especially behind enemy lines. These specially trained Marines helped turn the tide against the Imperial Japanese Army in the early stages of World War II. In honor and recognition of those who came before, the United States Marine Corps officially re-designated those serving with Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) as Marine Raiders in 2015.