Institutionalizing Security Force Assistance

Abstract

This monograph examines the role that Security Force Assistance plays in the development and execution of U.S. foreign policy. It looks at the manner in which security assistance guidance is developed and executed. An examination of national level policy and the guidance from senior military and civilian leaders highlights the important role of Security Force Assistance. Further inquiry into the execution of Security Force Assistance reveals a discrepancy between what is necessary and what is available. With 243,000 Soldiers deployed or forward stationed in 76 countries worldwide a way to reduce the gap is to build capabilities and capacities of allies and partners. The uniqueness of the United States and the topic hindered the use of actual case studies in this monograph. However, where suitable, references and linkages to other examples of Security Force Assistance are provided. The expected generational length of the Long War; the transformation of the U.S. Army into a future force; and the desire to empower allies, partners, and friends necessitate a change in the way the U.S. Army conducts Security Force Assistance. The U.S. Army requires an institutionalized capability to conduct Security Force Assistance beyond Special Forces and Military Transition Teams (MiTTs) in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 2008
Accession Number
ADA484764

Entities

People

  • Michael R. Binetti

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combatant Commanders
  • Department Of State
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • Foreign Aid
  • Foreign Policy
  • Foreign Relations
  • International Organizations
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Students
  • United States Government
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.