tion and joint CA. USSOCOM is addressing 23 tasks
identified in Joint Requirements Oversight Council
Memorandum 162-11. Of the unfinished tasks, significant ones include incorporating CA into the training
objectives of combatant commanders and theater special operations commands (TSOCs) and into professional military education and reviewing career paths
and requirements for joint CA billets at combatant
commands and TSOCs.
USSOCOM is the Office of Primary Responsibility
for 10 of the Civil Affairs 23 tasks and services. Combatant commands, Joint Staff, and others are primary
actors for the remainder. Although it is unlikely that
DoD will reconsider the “divorce” of CA from SOF,
its repercussions have negatively impacted Army CA,
most notably in reduced funding and support for RC
CA units and less interaction between AC and RC
CA. One could also see an impact on the AC 85th CA
Brigade. A recent Total Army Analysis recommended
cutting 50% of the AC CA force, which would fall on
the 85th, supporting GPF, rather than on the 95th, supporting (and classified as) SOF. The Congressional
budgetary climate favors reducing GPF overall in favor of promoting the small footprint that exemplifies
SOF. But distance between AC SOF CA and RC GPF
CA undermines shared concepts, lexicon, and interoperability.
MG Hashem observed Civil Affairs successes at
tactical, operational, and strategic levels, much depends on situations, timing, and personalities (both
supporting and supported). In particular, CA leadership present early in a campaign needs to shape the
impact of CA operations. Once subsequent personnel
rotations begin, it becomes more difficult to influence
changes in command priorities.
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