Nunn–Cohen Amendment

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The Nunn–Cohen Amendment is a 1987 U.S. law that created a unified special operations command and funding authority, significantly strengthening and institutionalizing American special operations forces.


Statements (40)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States federal law
defense authorization amendment
addressed perceived deficiencies in U.S. special operations capabilities
appliesTo United States Armed Forces
United States Department of Defense
United States special operations forces
coSponsor William S. Cohen
country United States
effectiveDate 1987
established Major Force Program 11 for special operations funding
unified combatant command for special operations
grantedAuthorityTo Commander in Chief, United States Special Operations Command
historicalContext post-Desert One and Grenada operations reforms
impact enhanced command and control of special operations forces
increased resources for special operations forces
institutionalized joint special operations planning and execution
introducedIn United States Congress
jurisdiction federal
language English
legislativeBody United States Senate
namedAfter Sam Nunn
William S. Cohen
oversightBy United States Congress NERFINISHED
partOf Goldwater–Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act implementation era
policyArea military organization
national defense
special operations
provided separate budget authority for special operations forces
purpose to create a unified special operations command
to provide dedicated funding authority for special operations forces
to strengthen and institutionalize U.S. special operations forces
relatedTo Goldwater–Nichols Act
United States Special Operations Command
resultedInCreationOf Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict
United States Special Operations Command
sector security and defense
sponsor Sam Nunn
strengthened institutional status of U.S. special operations forces
timePeriod late Cold War
yearEnacted 1987

Referenced by (2)

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