Special Operations Command Joint Forces Command (SOCJFCOM)
Special Operations Command, Atlantic (SOCLANT)
On October 1, 1999, the Unified Command Plan (UCP 99) redesignated the U.S. Atlantic Command (USACOM) the U.S. Joint Force Command (USJFCOM), fully asserting its mission as the joint force provider, trainer, and integrator. UCP 99 depicts the evolution from USACOM, a geographic CINC with some functional roles, toward a functional unified command perform-ing joint force training, integrating, and force-providing functions while retaining some geographic unified command responsibilities.
In concert with UCP 99, CINCUSJFCOM’s strategic vision is to lead the transformation of U.S. armed forces to the capabilities envisioned in Joint Vision 2010. CINCUSJFCOM maximizes America’s present and future military capabilities through joint training, total force integration, and the provision of ready CONUS-based conventional forces to support other CINCs, the Atlantic theater, and domestic requirements. Toward this end, USJFCOM has been established as the center of excellence for training, training support, and integration of U.S. forces and allies in preparing to conduct the full spectrum of joint, multinational, and interagency operations in order to protect and defend national interests.
The change to USJFCOM has significantly changed the focus of SOCJFCOM. SOCJFCOM, a sub-unified command of USJFCOM, located in Norfolk, Virginia, further enhances USJFCOM’s center of excellence by providing the capability to fully integrate SOF operations in its joint, multinational, and interagency training and integration program. SOCJFCOM also assists in CINCSOC’s joint SOF training responsibilities through its JSOTF, Joint Psychological Operations Task Force (JPOTF), and Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force (JCMOTF) training charter. In September 1999, CINCUSJFCOM approved a new SOCJFCOM mission statement to underscore this changing role. SOCJFCOM conducts worldwide joint SOF training and facilitates joint integration to enhance the effectiveness and interoperability of special operations forces in joint, multinational, and interagency environments. Additionally, as a theater SOC, SOCJFCOM will conduct special operations as directed by CINCUSJFCOM.
From this mission statement, SOCJFCOM has derived four essential tasks:
- conduct worldwide joint SOF training to enhance SOF effectiveness within the joint, multinational, and interagency environment in support of USJFCOM’s training program; focus training on CINC staffs and JTF commanders and staffs (the mission employers of SOF), and the identified training needs of the JSOTF, JPOTF, JCMOTF commanders and staffs (the doers)
- improve JTF to JSOTF and JSOTF to JTF component interoperability through participation in the USJFCOM Joint Exercise Program
- facilitate joint integration, to include concept development and experimentation, to enhance SOF effectiveness within the joint, multinational, and interagency environment
- conduct special operations in support of USJFCOM, which encompasses: being prepared to form a JSOTF to conduct special operations in support of USJFCOM; conducting regional surveys; and being prepared to deploy a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team within 24 hours of notification.
As USJFCOM continues to spearhead the improvement of the joint combat capability of U.S. military forces worldwide, SOCJFCOM will facilitate this evolution by its focus on joint SOF training and integration that enhances the effectiveness and interopera-bility of SOF in joint, multinational, and interagency operations.
The Special Operations Command, U.S. Joint Forces Command, or SOCJFCOM, supports both the training of conventional joint commanders and staffs in the employment of SOF, and the training of prospective commanders and staffs of joint special operations task forces, or JSOTFs. SOCJFCOM has recently reorganized to form a SOF Joint Training Team, or SOF JTT, to support these training activities.
Located in Norfolk, VA, near the USJFCOM Joint Warfighting Center, or JWFC, which supports the training of CINC staffs and JTF commanders and staffs, SOCJFCOM is well-situated to integrate SOF operations into the training of potential joint-force commanders and staffs. The SOCJFCOM can also support the training of JSOTFs and other joint SOF headquarters, and it can collect and share lessons learned in tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) from joint SOF operations worldwide.
In July 1998, the U.S. Special Operations Command, or USSOCOM, requested that USJFCOM facilitate the USSOCOM mission of providing joint training to SOF headquarters and units. USJFCOM agreed, and now SOCJFCOM responds to the training needs identified both by conventional joint force commanders and by joint SOF commanders.
JTFs are normally established by a geographic CINC for the conduct of major operations, such as offensive and defensive operations, air interdiction, and theater missile defense. The JFC's concept of operations arranges these major operations either sequentially or simultaneously. SOF may be a key player (or possibly the main player) during the early phases of an operation. However, Joint Training Team (JTT) training focuses more on the ways that SOF can support the JFC's concept of operations than it does on unilateral SOF missions. In discussing what SOF can do to complement the JFC's major operations, the SOF JTT emphasizes feasibility -- the principle of not allowing enthusiasm to over-ride a realistic appreciation of what SOF can do within its capabilities.
The mission of the JRU is to provide the Commander, SOCJFCOM with trained, highly skilled individuals that can fully integrate into the active component staff to support the SOC’s mission as trainer and integrator of Special Operations forces in a joint, multinational, and interagency environment. Members of the JRU will augment the JSOTF staff, focused primarily on Joint Operations Center (JOC)/Joint Intelligence Support Element (JISE) operations and when directed will function as part of the JECG for exercise support. The JRU will be capable of fully assuming these duties, thereby permitting the SOC to focus limited resources on other areas. The concept is to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the JRU in the JOC, JISE, and JECG to support the SOCJFCOM mission. When necessary, the unit will provide short notice support to SOCJFCOM in the form of trained and deployable individuals and staff elements to meet operational requirements.
