Security Force Assistance: Building Foreign Security Forces and Joint Doctrine for the Future of U.S. Regional Security
Abstract
The United States Military has made numerous attempts to train Foreign Security Forces over the past 100 years. From training the Nicaraguan National Guard to the most recent efforts in Iraq, the U.S. Military has repeatedly shown a need for a coherent and comprehensive plan to develop foreign security forces. U.S. advisory missions in the Philippines, Vietnam, and El Salvador contained positive elements, but none of these operations contained the necessary framework to organize, train, equip, rebuild, and advise foreign security forces. As a result, the programs were haphazard at best, resulting in both the loss of national resources and delays in achieving foreign policy goals. Even today, when in conjunction with National Strategic Objectives, the U.S. Government has developed a wealth of programs to assist host nations in bolstering their security forces, but none of these programs has adequately addressed the threats found in the contemporary operating environment (COE). The COE requires a more comprehensive framework to develop foreign security forces in conjunction with a host nation. Rogue states, nonstate actors, super-empowered individuals, transnational terrorist organizations, religious and ethnic strife, and disenfranchised elements of society all contribute to the difficulties of developing a functional and effective native security force. Today's security forces must possess the capability to defend their nation from both external and internal threats. While the U.S. Government has some programs available to assist in the security development of other nations, none address the multitude of problems common today. Additionally, the lack of a concise doctrine applicable for general purpose forces greatly hindered past security force assistance missions and remains the biggest obstacle to future mission success.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 11, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA485510
Entities
People
- Michael D. Sullivan
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College