The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities (ASD/SOLIC&IC) is the principal civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense on special operations and low-intensity conflict matters. The ASD (SO/LIC&IC) has as his principal duty overall supervision (to include oversight of policy and resources) of special operations and low-intensity conflict activities. These core tasks, according to USSOCOM's 2007 Posture Statement, include counterterrorism; unconventional warfare; direct action; special reconnaissance; foreign internal defense; civil affairs, information and psychological operations; and counterproliferation of WMD. Section 167 of Title 10 USC provides a very similar but not identical list of SOF activities.
In addition to policy oversight for special operations and stability operations capabilities, the ASD (SO/LIC&IC) has policy oversight for strategic capabilities and force transformation and resources. This includes oversight of capability development to include general-purpose forces, space and information capabilities, nuclear and conventional strike capabilities, and missile defense. As such, ASD (SO/LIC&IC), after the Secretary and Deputy Secretary, will be the principal official charged with oversight over all warfighting capabilities within the senior management of the Department of Defense.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities
Michael G. (“Mike”) Vickers was first nominated as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities by President Bush on April 4, 2007, and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 23, 2007. President Obama announced on February 26, 2009, that Mr. Vickers would continue to serve as ASD (SO/LIC&IC).
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- Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Capabilities (SOC)
- Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic Capabilities
- Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Forces Transformation & Resources
- Office of the Deputy Asssistant Secretary of Defense for Stability Operations Capabilities