Success Can Breed Overstrain for Special Operations Forces

An interesting read making the rounds and generating a lot of interest amongst my SF colleagues - S.L.

By Sandra I. Erwin

They are competent beyond belief. But at what point do U.S. special operations forces become too much of a good thing?

That was one of the questions at hand during last week’s hearing of the House Armed Services Committee’s emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee.

Since the May 2011 Osama bin Laden raid, U.S. special operations forces have basked in the limelight, which is well deserved, said Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., the newest HASC member who replaced Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. But the glowing publicity, in the long run, could be detrimental to SOF troops if they become the go-to guy every time the nations faces a national security challenge, Barber said. “Now everybody knows how good these folks are, and the temptation is to have them do everything because they can do whatever they put their mind to so well.”

Lawmakers ought to be worried about this, said Barber. “How do we ensure special operations stays special?”

Read the rest of it HERE