Special operations ‘uniquely suited’ to fight terrorists Published March 2, 2005 By Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Special operations forces are deployed worldwide “in the right place at the right time” in the fight against global terrorism, the Defense Department’s top special operations officer told a Senate panel March 1.And whether they are performing civil affairs, reconnaissance, unconventional warfare or direct-action missions, special operations forces are “uniquely suited” for today’s low-intensity conflicts, Army Gen. Bryan D. Brown, who heads U.S. Special Operations Command, said before the Senate Armed Services Committee.Besides fighting “hot” battles against terrorists, General Brown said, special operations warrior-diplomats also are “working closely with countries worldwide to build long-term, positive relationships with host nations and undermine those that are determined to spread the seeds of terrorism.”The special operations operating tempo remains red hot, General Brown said, with more than 6,100 special operators deployed worldwide to support combatant commanders.General Brown tipped his hat to “our great Reserve and National Guard forces,” recognizing that “they’re extremely important to our capability.”Today’s special operations deployments are focused “on key areas that have an impact on the global war on terrorism,” General Brown said, as special operators train with host nations and “remain poised to react for emerging threats.”The measure of his organization’s success, the general said, is not predicated on the number of countries special operators are deployed in, but rather on having “special operating forces deployed in the right place at the right time.”Recruiting for special operations’ jobs continues to be good, and the organization’s schoolhouses are full, he said.Yet, “because of our rigorous selection and training process,” General Brown told committee members, it takes between 12 to 24 months to train a fully qualified special operations troop, depending on the specialty.“We cannot dilute the high standards of our people; that is the bedrock of our capability,” General Brown said.