Special Operations 'Fraying Around the Edges,' Commander Says

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Sometimes in my effort to be the one with the first smarta$$ comment, I miss the mark.

I've always believed if you can't laugh at yourself...someone else will.

lol Trick is not too take anything without a muzzle velocity too seriously...

[Dak]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Military Information Support Operations...MISO.

Walk out my office door, turn left, walk about 10 meters...and all MISO doctrine you can stomach can be found.

They can be easily identified by the beards they wear, "cool-guy patches", "non-issued boots", and other "cool-guy gear" that us 18 series guys aren't allowed to wear

[37F5V]

Wow... What is with all of the hating? The whole MISO name change debacle was a top-down driven event, SOCOM and above. Believe me when I say that my community wanted nothing to do with a term that does not accurately describe the mission. MISO? Get serious. MIST is another one of those terms (which helped drive the overall name change) that was contrived in order to make the whole idea of utilizing Psychological Operations within a host-nation and an embassy a bit more palatable to the DoS.

The big push to change our doctrine was made by a former Group commander who moved to SWCS and has since retired. I got my hands on a draft last year after it was sent out for review and promptly trashed it, as did many others. I am hoping that it gets disapproved as I see nothing wrong with our doctrine as it currently stands. Doctrine isn't rocket science and ours works just fine when applied correctly.

Finally as to the "non-standard" uniform stuff... All active component Tactical MISO/PSYOP folks out there are currently ISO SF, MARSOC, or SMU. The rule of thumb falls inline with imperative #1. Whatever the supported unit is wearing, to include non-standard items, as well as relaxed grooming standards is dictated by that supported unit. As a Company 1SG ISO 7th SFG, CJSOTF-A, my kids aligned with the SOTFs & ODAs dressed as the teams did, DCUs, beards, Merrells, etc. I and my HQ, being stuck in Bagram with the CJSOTF, wore standard issue ACU, boots, shave & and a haircut, yada yada.

Now as a SGM in Iraq co-located with 20th SFG I see the same deal. I'm doing my time in Mother Army and watching my peers do cheetah flips at the chow hall when 20th SFG folks walk in is a never ending source of amusement for me. The fat-ass support warrants and junior enlisted aren't doing them any favors.

The majority of the MISO/PSYOP kids doing the work just want to fit in and do a good job. For the most part they do. The 10% rule always applies across the board.

Not trying to poke any eyes, just trying to clarify.

Regards,

John