U.S. Special Operations Command Now Wants More Autonomy To Deploy Their Forces

Photo: Adm. William H. McRaven

Admiral Seeks Freer Hand In Deployment Of Elite Forces -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — As the United States turns increasingly to Special Operations forces to confront developing threats scattered around the world, the nation’s top Special Operations officer, a member of the Navy Seals who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, is seeking new authority to move his forces faster and outside of normal Pentagon deployment channels.

The officer, Adm. William H. McRaven, who leads the Special Operations Command, is pushing for a larger role for his elite units who have traditionally operated in the dark corners of American foreign policy. The plan would give him more autonomy to position his forces and their war-fighting equipment where intelligence and global events indicate they are most needed.

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My Comment: I can understand his need to be in a position (and authority) to make fast decisions on intelligence that is always quickly changing .... but doing things that is beyond normal Pentagon deployment channels .... I feel uncomfortable with that idea .... and I suspect that the Generals in the Pentagon are also feeling the same way.