United States Special Operations Command Strategic Issues for the Long War
Abstract
Within the United States military the Secretary of Defense has designated the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as the supported combatant command in the Global War on Terrorism. However the scope of the national strategy is vastly beyond simply implementing a campaign plan for Special Operations Forces (SOF) to send handfuls of heroes on desperate ventures. Recognition of USSOCOM's strengths and weaknesses is critical. For the United States military and ultimately USSOCOM to effectively combat global terrorism military strategic planners need to understand three major issues. These issues are the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies defining the fight against terrorism; the executive branch interagency environment and the structure required to develop and implement strategy; and an understanding of the global political environment in which the strategies will be implemented. This paper will investigate these three issues to develop and implement the strategies that form the foundation for USSOCOM's campaign plan.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449206
Entities
People
- Joseph T. Wiley
Organizations
- United States Army War College