Reform of Command and Control Structures in North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Forces
Abstract
The current NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) capability is an ad hoc force that does not provide a synchronized, integrated Special Operations response capability to the alliance. There is no standing NATO SOF combat force or Command and Control architecture to frame the transformation effort. NATO has declared its intention to transform from a static collective alliance for the defense of the common members to an expeditionary force capable of responding to the needs of a growing global security concern. The central research question is as follows: Does NATO require a standing Special Operations Force Command and Control structure and combat capability to meet the emerging global security requirements of the Alliance? This researched revealed that a more robust and interoperable SOF capability is both advocated and supported amongst member states. The comparison of recommended structure reforms produced consensus only in the function of improved SOF and not in the form of that innovation. Interviews with subject matter experts within the NATO SOF community reveal support for a standing Command and Control structure but not to a standing NATO SOF combat force. The research supports the current NATO SOF transformation initiative with the addition of growth to an inner core and wider network standing force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA471223
Entities
People
- Robert S. Berg
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College