In order to fulfill the responsibilities specified in section 138(b)(4) [1] of this title, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, or the designee of the Assistant Secretary, shall establish and lead a team to be known as the “Special Operations Policy and Oversight Council” (in this section referred to as the “Council”).

The purpose of the Council is to integrate the functional activities of the headquarters of the Department of Defense in order to most efficiently and effectively provide for special operations forces and capabilities. In fulfilling this purpose, the Council shall develop and continuously improve policy, joint processes, and procedures that facilitate the development, acquisition, integration, employment, and sustainment of special operations forces and capabilities.

The Council shall include the following:

(1) The Assistant Secretary, who shall act as leader of the Council.

Appropriate senior representatives of each of the following:

(A) The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(B) The Under Secretary of Defense for Management and Support.

(C) The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

(D) The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

(E) The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

(F) The General Counsel of the Department of Defense.

(G) The other Assistant Secretaries of Defense under the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

(H) The military departments.

(I) The Joint Staff.

(J) The United States Special Operations Command.

(K) Such other officials or Agencies, elements, or components of the Department of Defense as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.

The Council shall operate continuously.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, § 922(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2355; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1081(a)(7), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1594.)