Office of Strategic Services

In WWII, the Office of Strategic Services was forged on a defining American truth: when the Nation is tested, Americans rise, endure, and prevail. The men and women of the OSS went into the night with no promise of safety, no guarantee of return, and no expectation of praise. They went because their country called. They went because the cause was just. They went because Americans do not turn from the hard road when duty points the way. That legacy lives today in America’s Special Operations Forces. They carry the Nation’s hardest missions into the world’s most dangerous places, often without recognition and always with extraordinary responsibility. Today, I am pleased to announce that Secretary Hegseth has signed a pivotal memorandum enabling the ASW(SO/LIC) to fully exercise its statutory authority in line with Congress’s intent by elevating the office to Under Secretary of War equivalence and restoring its name to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). This action is a pledge that those sent into the hardest places, entrusted with the gravest responsibilities, and called upon when all else has failed will have a voice equal to the burden placed upon their shoulders. They will be given the resources, authority, and support required to prepare, to endure, and to prevail. In honoring our Special Operators, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable American spirit that has carried this Nation through its hardest hours and will carry us forward still. Read the full release here: war.gov/News/Releases/Releas…

Freedom is not inherited without sacrifice. It is preserved by those willing to defend it. This Veterans Day, we honor the generations of American warriors who came before us—those who answered the call, carried the burden of service, and paved the way for those who serve today. A special tribute to our Special Operations Forces, past and present, whose courage, quiet professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the mission embody the very best of our Nation. Much of your sacrifice will never be known, but your legacy will never be forgotten. To every veteran: Your service matters. Your sacrifice endures. Our Nation remains forever grateful. God Bless Our Veterans. 🇺🇸

📸 This week, I joined Special Boat Training Command in Mississippi, the elite “brown water navy,” as they demonstrated special operations riverine capabilities.   On the water, these operators are redefining maritime security, turning emerging technology into mission-ready capability that protects the homeland.

No better way to start the day than sunrise PT with America’s great special operators 💪🇺🇸

Lethality is forged through hard training, unwavering discipline, and warriors who set the standard.