Creation of Additional Skill Identifier for Special Operations Forces Logistics Personnel

Within the Contemporary Operating Environment (COE) Special Operations Forces (SOF) have become a integral component to the overall strategy of the United States Armed Forces. The impacts by SOF are felt both internally and externally as their participation in operations expand and visibility increases. As this participation increases so does the effects on their logistics capabilities to maintain operational tempo become evident that there is a shortfall. Correcting this shortfall, SOF has transformed their logistics by creating new support organizations to execute sustainment operations. Establishing new organizations require personnel to man them which in line creates a problem of who will fill those positions. Here in lies the central research question: Will the creation of an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) solve the current SOF logistics personnel problems and provide qualified logistics officers to serve the force? Using research on the creation of the Special Forces branch and Functional Area 90, Multifunctional Logistician, combined with interviews of former and present commanders of SOF provided insight into the acceptance of a SOF logistician ASI.