Special Operations Chief Says Military Must Drop Some Training Methods

The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said the military will need to stop some current training practices to prepare for future conflicts involving drones, electronic warfare, and other technologies. "Some things that we used to do, we're going to have to stop doing," the commander said last week at the annual SOF Week event in Tampa, Florida.

The commander noted that training time is limited and that new requirements cannot simply be added to existing schedules.

" The statement came as the Pentagon reviews training, technology, and acquisition processes developed during the 20-year Global War on Terror. Some training requirements require high-level approval to modify, and certain older practices may retain value, according to the report.

Officials said cuts would need to be made carefully.

Lessons From Recent Conflicts The head of U.S.

Southern Command said conditions in potential future operating areas differ from those in Iraq and Afghanistan, where U.S. forces had more vehicles, forward operating bases, and reliable communications. Special operations units will need to balance training on new technologies with traditional skills such as operating in high surf, the Special Operations Command leader said.

Daily decisions on how to allocate training time will determine how units prepare for future missions.