Doctrine for ARSOTF Operations

Abstract

Integral to the command and control of Army Special Operations Forces in Theater is the establishment of an Army Special Operations Forces Task Force (ARSOTF). Per FM 100-25 "Doctrine for Army Special Operations Forces," an ARSOTF is "a temporary or semi-permanent grouping of ARSOF units under one commander, formed to carry out a specific operation or a continuing mission. The ARSOTF headquarters performs functions similar to a combined arms headquarters." ARSOTFs can operate independently or as the Army component of a Joint Special Operations Command (SOC) in theater. In either case, ARSOTFs become responsible for the administration, command and control, and logistical support of assigned ARSOF units. Usually the nucleus of an ARSOTF is a group or regimental level headquarters. ARSOTFs can be formed as appropriate for peacetime engagement missions, MOOTW or war. The ARSOTF concept is not new, and their use has been around for some time. However there is currently no standard doctrinal reference to guide their organization and activities beyond brief paragraph entries in FM 100-25 "Doctrine for Army Special Operations Forces" and Joint Pub 3-05 "Doctrine for Joint Special Operations Forces." As a result, ARSOTF procedures tend to be non-standard, mentioned perhaps in the odd chapter of local unit field SOPs, which, naturally, can be expected to vary from unit to unit. The intent of this paper is to fill this doctrinal void concerning the procedures for the establishment and operation of an Army Special Operations Task Force in theater. It will recommend organizational principles, delineate key functions and responsibilities, and set forth guidelines for command and control, planning, operations, and logistics. The format and contents of this SRP are designed to be consistent with, and complementary to, current joint and Army doctrine.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 09, 2002
Accession Number
ADA404521

Entities

People

  • Patrick M. Higgins

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Personnel
  • Business Administration
  • Command And Control
  • Deployment
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Management Personnel
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychological Operations
  • Special Operations Forces
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control