U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. ERIN PIAZZA
NAVSPECWARCOM
and virtual objectives. We must act with urgency as we continue the VEO fight while challenging great-power competitors [GPC] and countering rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea. That is what the nation expects from Naval Special Warfare. Given these rather dramatic shifts, how are you shaping the NSW force now and for the future? We’ve conducted a comprehensive, enterprise-wide review of how we organize, train, and operate in light of these security challenges. The result – Force Optimization – involves the most impactful organizational changes since NSW 21 in the late ‘90s. Our most significant effort is a three-phase overhaul of our legacy structures, realigning capacity from geographically fixed formations into agile, strategic capability formations. This will enable more efficient command and control by streamlining support for Theater Special Operations Commands and the U.S. Navy’s numbered fleets through tailorable, flexible, and sustainable O-6-led task forces in support of competition, crisis, and contingency operations. Recently codified in our new NSW Vision 2030, Force Optimization is the iterative engine driving realignment at all NSW echelons and forward-based elements – from headquarters to “edge.” Its implementation will help ensure our ability to effectively counter both new and existing threats. I know you can’t divulge operational specifics, but can you talk about the focus areas of your vision, and how you plan to achieve those objectives? Of course. How much space do you have? Let me first acknowledge the tremendous work my predecessor did to “set the table.” He established our Cognitive Health Program, initiated Force Optimization to achieve greater mission effectiveness, and prioritized innovation and effective and efficient resourcing. I have continued that work and I am proud of NSW Vision 2030. Aligned with strategic guidance, NSW Vision 2030 sets NSW on a course to carry out our role in national defense, and will enable us to provide agile, lethal, and sustainable forces positioned to compete, disrupt, deter, and win. NSW Vision 2030 is a call to action along three paths: to strengthen, compete and reform our force.
SEAL Team 7 members jump from an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, California, January 19, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is the largest joint special operations exercise, where U.S. Special Operations Command forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict.
Strengthen: NSW’s competitive advantage has always been, and will continue to be, our people. Strengthening our force involves prioritizing and investing in the training, development, and wellness of the entire NSW team – operators, support personnel, civilians, and our families. Professional education and career progression are key components in sustaining the success of NSW’s sailor, civilian, and Reserve force. We are intent on establishing a professionalized career path to build a cadre of highly-trained SEALs and operationally experienced leaders who understand the resourcing and acquisition processes to successfully build the capabilities, capacity, and concepts that will posture us for success in future operating environments. We are also creating a program for developing civilian leaders who provide the experience, specialized skills, and continuity that are so critical to the success of our long-term efforts. For our Reserve force, we intend to advance, further recruit, and leverage the unique education, training, experience, and technological expertise of our reservists in areas such as analytics, data science, and commercial technology applications. The skilled Combat Support and Combat Service Support manning Naval Special Warfare receives from our larger Navy has never been better. These sailors are invaluable to NSW mission accomplishment and come from a wide variety of ratings, such as intelligence and information warriors, logisticians, chaplain corps, and medical support. We are developing standardized combat support and combat service support training en route to assignments with NSW. This training will facilitate a more efficient and effective transition into the NSW community and maximizes support to our gaining commands. Ultimately, these efforts will mutually benefit our larger Navy as our support teammates return to the fleet and incorporate tactics, techniques, and procedures applicable to great-power competition. We are committed to developing a portfolio of programs to support all of our personnel from the time they enter service, throughout their
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