Tier System
Currently, SOCOM has in place what many refer to as the Tier system. Quite often a specific tier status is believed to be synonymous with the ranking of a SOF unit above others; which is false. The tier system was implemented to ascertain how much funding a specific unit in SOCOM should receive. Granted that the two most elite units in the US arsenal, Delta Force and DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6), are classified as Tier 1. This causes the widespread belief that only the most elite units are in the Tier 1 structure when in fact the most "important" units to the mission at hand fall under Tier 1. This includes Delta Force, DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6), Intelligence Support Activity, Joint Communications Unit, JMAU (a medical unit with battlefield surgical capabilities), and the 24th Special Tactics Squadron.
Because tier status is controlled more-so by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) instead of SOCOM; the two groups who directly support the Tier 1 command (JSOC) on everyday operations include the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) are both on the tier 2 level of funding. Both units require the most up-to-date technology and weaponry available in order to directly support all Special Missions Unit (Delta and DEVGRU) operations.
The remaining special operations forces such as the Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces (Green Berets), PSYOPS, and Civil Affairs fall under the Tier 3 funding category because they operate outside of JSOCs mission and are rarely assigned to support JSOC operations.
Read more about this topic: United States Special Operations Command
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