Is Army, Department of Defense considering cuts to special operation forces?

The Department of Defense may consider cutting about 3,000 soldiers from special operations forces, according to a Wall Street Journal report released earlier this month.

While the Wall Street Journal's article does not name sources if and when the cuts will be made, one of North Carolina’s senators has made public statements during congressional hearings raising concerns.

Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, said in a news release that the Senate version of the 2024 defense budget “expresses a sense of the Senate that reductions to (the) special operations force structure should not be considered.”

“Such cuts would have a negative impact on North Carolina communities surrounding Fort Liberty and Camp Lejeune,” Budd said in the release.

Here’s what we know.

How many service members are in special operations forces?

According to a 2023 U.S. Special Operations Command fact book, there are about 70,000 service members under its command across multiple military branches.

Falling under the Command is the Fort Liberty-based U.S. Army Special Operations Command with about 36,000 soldiers at installations worldwide, according to SOCOM.

Among USASOC’s troops are Special Forces, Rangers, special operations aviators, civil affairs soldiers and psychological operations units.

What spots could get cut?

Defense One reported in September that an unnamed defense official told the publication the Army is considering eliminating redundant positions in headquarters, logistics, and support.

Quoting an unnamed source, Task & Purpose reported this month, that Green Berets would not be affected.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that potential cuts could be through “attrition of soldiers in coming months and years,” while Army Times and Task & Purpose also reported that sources told their publications that cuts would target vacancies and not current soldiers.

A USASOC spokesperson deferred questions about potential cuts to the Army.

When asked about potential cuts, officials referred Army Times to public comments made by Secretary of Army Christine Wormuth.

Task & Purpose and Army Times reported that Wormuth told reporters during an Oct. 3 media round table that Army special operation forces grew during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and that there’s room for “modest targeted reductions there.”

During a July confirmation hearing for Gen. Randy George, chief of staff of the Army, George said no decisions about cuts have been made.

George said he has had discussions with Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, USASOC's commander, because about 65-70% of SOCOM's special operation forces are from the Army.

George said he's also kept Gen. Bryan Fenton, SOCOM's commander, in the loop.

A few years ago, George said, most of the 11,000 Army troops in Afghanistan were from special operation forces.

Modeling the Army today is not the same as what it was in Afghanistan, he said.

"I think we have to review all of this," George said. "We are in the process. There's been no decisions made."

George senators he would like to have a more detailed conversation about the matter and would inform them before any decisions are made.

North Carolina senator questions military leaders about potential cuts

During a July 11 confirmation hearing for Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Budd asked Brown if he would advise cutting the special operations force structure.

Brown said he would need more analysis on the topic, but special operation forces have grown during the past 20 years

When rebalancing the force, Brown said, national security challenges should be considered along with what special operation forces’ capabilities are currently and what it is needed for in the future.

“The aspect of SOF, I think, will be a bit different from what we’ve done particularly in the Middle East for the past 20 years,” the general said.

What is the role of special operations forces?

Christopher Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, spoke about special operations capabilities and the future of special operation forces during a Special Operations Forces Week conference in Tampa in March, according to the Department of Defense.

During the conference, Maier said special operators have “multidomain skills and expertise” needed to provide leaders with options that “can create dilemmas and alter decision-making for adversaries.”

Maier said part of the value of special operations forces is the ability to build relationships with partners and allies around the globe.

"These generational relationships enable (special operation forces) to expose vulnerabilities, identify opportunities and create enduring advantage over our competitors,” he said.

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What cuts could mean

During a May 17 Senate Armed Service Committee’s Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities meeting in May on the role of special operation forces in supporting the National Defense Strategy, Budd also asked officials about cuts.

Budd asked former USASOC commander Lt. Gen. Kenneth Tovo how he would assess a 10% cut to Army special operation forces and its impact to combatant commanders, counterterrorism and crisis response.

Tovo said a 10% cut “would be crippling.”

Tovo said that although he is no longer a commander, he believes special operations forces are driven by its intelligence community and that it's one area in which military services may make cuts.

“That will be devastating,” he said. “Without the intelligence capability, our operational capability is hobbled at best.”

Tovo said Green Berets, psychological operations and civil affairs can’t afford to lose soldiers.

“They are the prime forces for competition ... if we take cuts in those, we’ll certainly have less capability,” he said.

Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Florida, who is a retired Green Beret and chairman of the House Armed Service Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness, issued an Oct. 6 statement following this month’s reports about the potential cuts.

Waltz said that while Army Secretary Wormuth wants to cut support troops “like intelligence analysts, psychological operations troops, and logistics personnel ... (those) troops are critical to special operator's successes in remote locations within 60-70 countries."

“Special operators play a crucial role in training allies across the world and are needed for the most dangerous missions in times of conflict and to deter enemies,” he said. “Special operations are more relevant than ever as we address threats from China, Russia, Iran, and terrorists on the march in Afghanistan.”

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What NC senator says about potential cuts to special operation forces