NDIA Special Operations Division

NDIA’s Special Operations Division mission is to help industry, government, and the public understand the critical role of special operations (SO) and low-intensity conflict (LIC) forces in US national security strategy and how these forces are integrated into the military structure. A big part of that work is facilitating cooperation between industry and SO and LIC forces to assure that those forces have access to ideas and technology from the U.S. industrial and academic base. The division gives voice to the concerns of the SO/LIC community and champions new, innovative ideas to meet the national security challenges of the 21st century. The division is composed of subject matter experts from the defense industry who, aided by government liaison participants, work to resolve difficult issues facing SO and LIC forces. Through meetings and symposia, the division provides information on a variety of matters involving special operations, low-intensity conflict and related national security matters, including counternarcotics, combating terrorism, consequence management resulting from terrorist events, civil affairs, psychological operations, force protection, humanitarian operations and peacekeeping. The functional purview of the division follows the roles and missions of the assistant secretary of defense for SO/LIC, and the U.S. Special Operations Command commander. Division activities provide a forum for discussion of SO and LIC challenges and requirements and provide an opportunity for SO and LIC leaders to present the policy, concepts, and procedures guiding their respective commands and agencies in meeting national security goals. The division’s highlight event is the annual SO/LIC Symposium and Award Dinner. During the Awards Dinner, the division presents various awards to individuals who have made lasting contributions, singular or lifetime, to the SO/LIC community.