Tampa, Florida – Christopher Maier, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, addressed the Special Operations Forces Week Conference yesterday, offering insights into the future of special operations and their role in strategic competition.
Maier, responsible for overseeing and advocating for special operations within the Defense Department, emphasized the need for special operations forces to adapt swiftly to the evolving landscape of strategic competition. While acknowledging their established roles in counterterrorism and crisis response, Maier highlighted the importance of showcasing their value in integrated deterrence and campaigning against strategic competitors.
Maier’s responsibilities encompass both policy advising and advocacy for special operations capabilities. He works closely with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to ensure that special ops forces possess the necessary capabilities and readiness to fulfill their missions in alignment with the National Defense Strategy.
An integral part of Maier’s role is incorporating special operations capabilities into various aspects of defense planning and decision-making processes. He emphasizes the importance of integrating the “value proposition” of special ops forces within the National Defense Strategy. Maier stressed that this value proposition should be championed not only by the special operations community but also by other stakeholders involved in shaping national security policies.
Central to the value proposition are the extensive relationships that special operations forces have cultivated with partners and allies worldwide. These enduring alliances enable special ops forces to identify vulnerabilities, exploit opportunities, and gain a sustainable advantage over competitors lacking such networks.
Maier also highlighted the cost-effective options provided by special operations forces through their commitment to building partner capacity and enhancing interoperability. These options empower policymakers to shape the operating environment and confront adversaries with multiple dilemmas without relying on high-profile military presence or substantial financial investments.
Furthermore, Maier underscored the multidomain skills and expertise possessed by special operators. These capabilities offer leaders creative, adaptable, and asymmetric options that can disrupt adversaries’ decision-making processes and create dilemmas.
Looking ahead, Maier outlined three critical dimensions for the future of special operations: people, technologies, and organizations. He emphasized the significance of investing in personnel as the foundation for readiness to tackle the nation’s most demanding challenges. Maier stressed the importance of prioritizing diversity and removing barriers to participation and advancement within the special operations community to thrive in a complex geopolitical landscape.
On the technological front, Maier emphasized the need for special operators to remain at the forefront of technological advancements. In collaboration with the U.S. Special Operations Command, his office issued guidance on capabilities and programming, which will shape procurement over the next five years. Special operations forces must also lead in integrating data-driven technologies to stay ahead of emerging trends.
Maier’s insights shed light on the joint development of a future operating concept that will guide force design considerations and envision the role of special operations forces alongside the joint force.
As the world of strategic competition evolves, Special Ops forces are poised to adapt, embracing new technologies, fostering relationships with partners, and prioritizing the development of their personnel. With Christopher Maier leading the way, the future of special operations holds promise as they navigate complex geopolitical challenges and continue to make unique contributions to national security.