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October 19, 2003
   
Another sign of the increasing importance of Special Operations (Special Forces and commandos) is the creation of a high level Department of Defense position for it. The new position is an assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict (or ASDSOLIC for short). Two decades ago, Special Operations troops were on the outside, looking in, when it came to planning and decision making in general. Now there's a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with a four star general running it, and an assistant secretary of defense available to make sure Special Operations capabilities, and needs, are always in plain view.