DOD DIRECTIVE 5111.10
A
SSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS
AND
LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT
Originating Component: Office of the Director of Administration and Management
Effective: May 5, 2021
Change 1 Effective: March 12, 2025
Releasability: Cleared for public release. Available on the Directives Division Website
at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/.
Cancels: DoD Directive 5111.10, “Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special
Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC)),” March 22, 1995,
as amended
Approved by: Kathleen H. Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Change 1 Approved by: Jeffrey W. Eanes, Director of Organizational and Management Policy
Purpose: Consistent with the authorities detailed in Sections 138 and 167 of Title 10, United States
Code (U.S.C.), this issuance:
• Establishes the responsibilities and functions, relationships, and authorities of the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC)).
• Designates the ASD(SO/LIC), as a Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) reporting directly to the Secretary
of Defense, to assist the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and to execute the responsibilities,
functions, and authorities assigned in this issuance, and in accordance with applicable law, policy, DoD
regulations, the November 18, 2020, and May 5, 2021, Secretary of Defense Memoranda, and the
December 3, 2020, and December 30, 2020, Deputy Secretary of Defense Memoranda.
• The ASD(SO/LIC) reports directly to the Secretary of Defense in exercising authority, direction, and
control of all special operations-peculiar administrative matters relating to the organization, training, and
equipping of special operations forces. The ASD(SO/LIC) is also a member of the senior leader fora as
designated in the November 18, 2020, Secretary of Defense Memorandum.
• The ASD(SO/LIC) is in the administrative chain of command and exercises authority, direction, and
control of the Commander, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), for special
