is good news. Unfortunately, we’re several years late getting to this point. Our 80-foot MK-V patrol craft retire this year, and there are no craft ready to take their place. We’re just beginning a combatant craft-medium program that will deliver mission boats beginning three years from now. In the interim, NSW will use high-speed assault craft bought from an existing program to mitigate the MK-V loss and add multi-mission capability in selected deployment areas around the world. Rigid hull inflatable boats are still the mainstay of our deployed surface mobility, and their versatility, reliability and air delivery capability will keep them in the mix for many more years. As it regards the health of our combatant craft crewmen, we’re absolutely committed to using technology and designs that minimize pounding and g-forces in the cockpit or crew compartment. Human factors will be part of any selection criteria for craft we purchase, and we’ll upgrade shock absorption and performance in the craft we currently have to minimize adverse physical effects for our crews and troops. Our sports trainers and physiologists are also doing a great job preparing SWCCs for superior and sustainable physical service on our craft. Q: What other platforms or equipment would allow SEALs to more easily perform missions? A: ISR systems remain critically important for find-fix-finish and force protection. NSW elements are using the Aqua-Puma as our small, organic system and it performs well. But we lack a program of record for a medium UAV that can operate higher, longer and farther with multi-sensor payloads. Scan Eagle is a system we’re using year-to-year and sometimes under contract, and we really like its versatility and capability. In my opinion, it’s literally the bird in the hand that I want to turn into a program. Scan Eagle is a good expeditionary medium ISR system that can work from land or afloat, with a variety of ever-developing sensor payloads. I’m going to continue to advocate for proven systems like Scan Eagle that should be moved into a program line for funding. Q: Concerns have been expressed about fraying around the edges, after high op tempos for special operators over the past decade. What steps have you taken to help reduce stress on NSW and their families? A: Pressures and stresses in our SOF communities and their families are real. Recognition of this fact is the first step towards delivering better physical, mental and moral fitness for our warriors. NSW is strongly aligned with [SOCOM Commander Admiral Bill H.] McRaven’s priority to preserve our force and families, and we’re investing people, programs and facilities into our effort to keep SEALs, SWCCs and enablers totally fit and formidable for years to come. I mentioned previously several of the process changes we’ve made in NSW to bring more predictability to our men and women. We’re being very careful not to over-commit the force. Simultaneously, we’re working hard to make professional counselors available for those who could benefit from assistance. The Navy has given NSW more medical professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists, and additional chaplains are providing spiritual guidance. SOCOM is also supporting all of their components with care coalition liaisons and access to VA resources. In addition, NSW has a family support program with full-time employees to steer resiliency resources and information 18 | SOTECH 10.5
to our operational teams and their families. A password-protected family website keeps the community posted on important happenings and contacts. With Force Master Chief Stephen D. Link, I try to visit our geographic concentration areas several times a year to talk and listen to our members and their families. I think that frank and frequent discussion reduces anxiety, gives voice to particular issues that we can confront, and builds trust and strength. With all the work that lies ahead for NSW and SOF, it is imperative that we do everything we can to not only preserve our people, but enhance them for the long run. We’re going to continue to build resiliency and deliver assistance, and improve our people to do more, know more, and be healthier in mind and body. Q: We have seen lots of media attention focused on SEALs this past year. Could you give us your thoughts about this? A: I’m very proud of what NSW has accomplished, and I’m absolutely mindful that we don’t do anything by ourselves—other components and agencies and partners deserve much of the credit for operational successes. But the media has turned a bright spotlight onto the SEALs in particular, and in response, we’re trying to be polite and poised, but prefer to move back into the shadows. The opening of Act of Valor, a movie made to help Navy and NSW recruiting, came out recently, which added to the SEAL frenzy, and too many of our former operators are choosing to write books, raising our public profile even higher. It’s been a perfect storm of sorts for SEAL media exposure. In an effort to reduce our media profile, I’ve asked commanders to carefully consider each of their engagement opportunities, and do those that are necessary and proper, but step away from public events that may have little return for NSW. When Force Master Chief Link and I talk to our warriors, we remind them of their professional obligation to protect classified information, in and out of uniform. We talk about the vulnerability of our families, and how important the protection of personal data is to this community. My staff and I are riding out the media storm as best we can, and attempting to return to a lessvisible, quietly professional posture. Much of my concern with this SEAL fixation from the public is its effect on NSW’s relationships with our sister SOF components—I don’t want those relationships to suffer. NSW cannot be seen to devalue humility and secrecy within the SOF community—we must maintain the trust of our fellow joint warriors. But we must also understand that the nature of today’s communications environment has radically changed in coverage and complexity. I’m grateful to our public affairs staff that helps us work through these challenges in respectful and credible ways. Q: Do you have closing thoughts about NSW or command? A: I’d like to acknowledge my fellow component commanders at USASOC, AFSOC, MARSOC and JSOC, as well as their command teams, for the advice, assistance and camaraderie they share with NSW. It’s the highest privilege to serve in SOF with such leaders and organizations, and we want to pull our share of any requirements set before the joint SOF team. I also want to thank Admiral Bill and Mrs. Georgeann McRaven, and Command Sergeant Major Chris and Mrs. Lisa Faris, the SOCOM command team, for their leadership specifically directed towards preservation of the force and families. O www.SOTECH-kmi.com