PSYOP: On a Complete Change in Organization, Practice, and Doctrine
PSYOP: On a Complete Change in Organization, Practice, and Doctrine
by Alfred Paddock, Jr.
Download the full article: PSYOP: On a Complete Change in Organization, Practice, and Doctrine
On Monday, June 21, 2010, Admiral Eric T. Olson, commander of the US Special Operations Command, announced a decision to change the term, “psychological operations” (PSYOP) to “Military Information Support” and “Military Information Support Operations” (MISO). He stated that henceforth the term, PSYOP, will be eliminated from usage in the military.
Admiral Olson commands all of the military services’ special operations commands. He and General George Casey, Army chief of staff, agreed on the decision, which the Secretary of Defense approved. As Admiral Olson states, “This will be a complete change in organization, practice, and doctrine.”
The bulk of our PSYOP forces is in the Army. Its only active duty organization, the 4th PSYOP Group, is located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Its commander, a colonel, reports to the commander of the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), a lieutenant general. In addition, there are two PSYOP groups in the Army Reserve.
Admiral Olson’s memo announcing this decision states that the active duty PSYOP community is very receptive to this change. “Very” is the operative word. Based on my discussions with some active duty personnel over the past couple of years, I don’t believe this to be the case. Of course, all of them knew that I was writing an article for publication, and asked for non-attribution.
Download the full article: PSYOP: On a Complete Change in Organization, Practice, and Doctrine
Alfred Paddock, Jr., was on active duty in the U.S. Army, 1957–1988, and served three combat tours in Laos and Vietnam with Special Forces. He also was the Director for Psychological Operations, Office of the Secretary of Defense. In June 2009 he received the inaugural Gold Award of the MG Robert A. McClure Medal for Exemplary Service in Psychological Operations, recognizing his lifetime of achievements and outstanding service to the Psychological Operations Regiment.
