# DoD Proposes Elevating SOF Civilian Role

A November 2, 2026, Defense Department memo seeks to elevate the senior civilian special operations role and increase its influence in planning, budgeting, and leadership forums. The memo directs an internal transfer of 100 personnel and identifies $45 million in annual operating funds; creating the proposed undersecretary-level position and providing related funding authority would require congressional action.

- The proposed changes could give special operations priorities greater influence in resource decisions, including SOF modernization, platform recapitalization, and readiness.
- Contractors should account for the internal personnel transfer and the distinction between identified operating funds and funding authority that still requires congressional action.
- Companies supporting SOF programs should use FY2027 execution and FY2028–2032 planning priorities to inform their business planning and assess relevant modernization and recapitalization opportunities.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC))
- U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
- United States Congress (Congress)

### Key Quotes
> Despite [its] contribution to the Joint Force and our Nation, resourcing for SOF remains behind current operational and force posture.
> — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

### Sources
- [Hegseth seeks to elevate top SOF civilian to service-secretary equivalent - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/11/hegseth-seeks-to-elevate-top-sof-civilian-to-service-secretary-equivalent) - Breaking Defense