Wed, 11/04/2020 - 2:46pm
Conceptualizing the Future of US Special Operations
Colonel (Retired) Robert C. Jones
What are the operations we need to select, train, organize and equip the force to conduct that are truly “Specialâ€
and also relevant to the challenges facing our nation in this evolving strategic environment?
This is the most important question facing United States Special Operations Command today. But it’s not one we spend much time on. The expectation is simple: maintain our exquisite CT capability, reinvest in historic missions across the SOF service components, and incorporate the latest technologies. But is that answer actually “special?†Truthfully, that answer might not even be adequate.
To answer this question demands a multi-discipline approach. One must first question assumptions made in the NDS
about the role of SOF. Next, one must appreciate the fundamental nature of the rapidly changing strategic environment, and how those changes are affecting both our national interests and the character of threats to those interests. Then, one must truly understand the full breadth of special operations forces (SOF) and missions; which goes far beyond the hyper-conventional operations that have come to define the post-9/11 era. Those missions (high-end raiding and partner capacity building) will always play an important role in SOF. The high-end tactical actions SOF is famous for will remain a world-class part of what we do. Likewise with our unique ability to work with indigenous forces. In the emerging environment, however, the most vital and special roles for SOF lies elsewhere.
https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/conceptualizing-future-us-special-operations
