Joint Chiefs of Staff

Special Operations: 18 April 2011 Joint Chiefs of Staff

Special operations (SO) differ from conventional operations in degree of physical and political risk, operational techniques, modes of employment, and dependence on detailed operational intelligence and indigenous assets. SO are conducted in all environments, but are particularly well suited for denied and politically sensitive environments. SO can be tailored to achieve not only military objectives through application of special operations forces (SOF) capabilities for which there are no broad conventional force requirements, but also to support the application of the diplomatic, informational, and economic instruments of national power. This publication provides overarching doctrine for SO and the employment and support of SOF across the range of military operations.