On January 19, 2016, the Atlantic Council hosted Mr. James F. Geurts, the Acquisition Executive for US Special Operations Command, for a Defense-Industrial Policy Series event entitled, “Acquisition for Special Operations Forces.” In a discussion moderated by the Council’s Steven Grundman, M.A. and George Lund Fellow, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Mr. Geurts spoke about the challenges of planning and executing acquisition to equip our forces’ most elite warriors. His comments focused on the unique role of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in planning and acquisition management; how acquisition for Special Forces differs from and parallels the military departments; and the key technology and system priorities of US SOCOM heading into the FY17 budget and programs.