The answer to Rumsfeld's question comes just two slides later in the Army briefing: The Army opposes the move.
That is because an Army panel that studied the issue concluded that "CA and PSYOP [psychological operations] forces can best support Army operations by remaining under USASOC," the Army's Special Operations Command, which also includes the Green Berets, the quasi-secret Delta Force, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Donald H. Rumsfeld wants to reorganize Special Forces.
(Evan Vucci -- AP)
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Notes attached to the PowerPoint briefing summarize the Army's opposition to Rumsfeld on the issue: "Any reassignment of forces will undermine the systems and relationships carefully developed between the Army and the United States Special Operations Command since the mid-1980s. This would not be wise, given our involvement in current operations and the Global War on Terrorism."
The Civil Affairs Association, an affiliation of about 3,000 current and former civil affairs officers, sent the Army a private statement arguing against the move on largely the same grounds.
As one civil affairs lieutenant colonel summarized the situation, the Army is having a hard time resolving the issue with Rumsfeld "because we're not giving him the answer he wants."
The major fear among his peers, another civil affairs officer said, is that the contemplated move would leave those units under the control of combat, or "maneuver," leaders who have not been trained in how to employ them. "You'd put the CA assets in the hands of maneuver commanders who don't want to do the touchy-feely stuff and don't understand it," he said.
At the same time, another officer said, having civil affairs in Special Operations has never been a great fit, either. "We do not, after all, fit the mold of steely-eyed killers," he said. "We are supposed to be language and cultural experts."
Rumsfeld's office referred questions to a relatively low-ranking spokesman, Maj. Paul Swiergosz. He declined to comment, saying, "It would be inappropriate to discuss this concept while it is pre-decisional." A spokesman for the Army Special Operations Command also declined to comment.
