Army drops ‘psychological operations’ as name of branch that tries to influence enemy forces

Army drops ‘psy ops’ name for influence operations

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The Army is dropping the name “psychological operations” for the branch in charge of influencing enemy soldiers and civilians.

The name that dates back at least to the Vietnam War has been changed by the Defense Department to “Military Information Support Operations,” or MISO.

U.S. Special Operations Command spokesman Ken McGraw says the new moniker better reflects the mission of changing minds behind enemy lines with things like air-dropped leaflets and radio broadcasts.

Fort Bragg, N.C., is home to the 4th Psychological Operations Group, the Army’s only active duty psychological operations unit. Psychological operations soldiers are trained at the post.

Many in the psychological operations community dislike the new name. They say it makes it harder to explain what they do.