Transformation: A Bold Case for Unconventional Warfare

Abstract

A Bold Case for Unconventional Warfare argues for the establishment of a new branch of service with the sole responsibility of conducting Unconventional Warfare. The thesis statement is: Unconventional Warfare is a viable tool for achieving national security objectives under certain circumstances. Hypothesis One states that in order for UW to be effective it must be managed in accordance with specific principles. Hypothesis Two states that to optimize UW a new branch of service under the Department of Defense is required. Chapter II establishes the strategic requirement laying the foundation by explaining the differences between UW and conventional warfare. Chapter III explains the requirements for dealing with substate conflicts. Chapter IV articulates the operational construct for UW revolving around an indigenous-based force in order for the US to gain influence in a targeted population. The second half of this thesis Chapters V - VI analyzes policy doctrine and schooling as well as case studies of USSF efforts in the Vietnam War and El Salvador in order to reveal a conventional military aversion to the use of UW. The conceptual discussion of Chapters I thru IV supported by the research of Chapters V and VI together make A Bold Case for UW.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA424658

Entities

People

  • Jeremy Simmons
  • Steven P. Basilici

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Conventional Warfare
  • Doctrine
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Green Berets
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Second World War
  • Students
  • Terrorism
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Business Analytics
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Strategic Security Studies