The United States Special Operations Command Civil Military Engagement Program - A Model for Military-Interagency Low Cost / Small Footprint Activities

Future threats to United States security vary from conventional state actors to unconventional forces, global terrorist groups, environmental challenges, and transnational criminal organizations TCO. The threats are increasingly networked adding new dimensions of complexity that challenge the United States ability to strengthen economic and security partnerships abroad. The current United States political, economic, and social climate place an enormous burden across the elements of national power specifically the United States military. The services continue to navigate sequestration and reduced defense budgets resulting in reduced training and exercise opportunities, force restructuring, and readiness challenges. As the threats, fiscal uncertainty, and conflicts continue to grow more dynamic and complex, the United States military must identify and assess new venues by which it will remain relevant, maintain global access, affirm commitments to allies and partners, and invest in capabilities that enhance national security interests abroad. The Department of Defense DOD with our Unified Action Partners have and continue to explore low cost, small footprint activities. The United States Special Operations Command USSOCOM has postured itself to lead this effort by developing innovative approaches to prepare and operate within ambiguous environments, and simultaneously build lasting partnerships with our Unified Action Partners and allies. In his posture statement to the 113th Congress on 5 March 2013, the Commander of USSOCOM, Admiral William H. McCraven presented USSOCOM Strategy 2020.