Somalia: Soldiers in SOSO

Abstract

Much has been written recently about the U.S. military's complicated missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One moment, they are fighting insurgents; the next, they are negotiating with local clerics. Every soldier is a diplomat, we hear time and again. Such is the nature of stability operations and support operations (SOSO). So, what does history teach about SOSO and the U.S. soldier's ability to succeed in such complicated operations? For over 200 years, U.S. Armed Forces have undertaken operations now called SOSO, but the 1992 to 1994 intervention in Somalia is the most instructive. Soldiers in Somalia often moved rapidly between peaceful and combat missions. Thus, the U.S. experience in Somalia provides fertile ground for studying U.S. soldiers reactions across the SOSO spectrum. Moreover, Somali culture is not only Islamic, it is clan-based, so today today's soldiers can profit from an investigation of the experience of their predecessors (and in some cases themselves). An inquiry into the U.S. experience in Somalia reveals three interrelated lessons for today's soldiers and Marines. First, SOSO are political-military missions for all units involved. Somali hearts and minds became the center of gravity in operations dedicated to security in an environment where clan warlords were dominant political forces. Winning Somali hearts and minds required political savvy and military expertise at all levels of war. Second, striking a careful balance between the warrior ethos and building friendly relationships is the key to success in SOSO. Because hearts and minds are crucial to accomplishing the mission, soldiers must win the trust and respect of the populace. If they adopt a single-minded, combat-oriented approach and ignore their political roles, soldiers risk losing this trust and respect.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA485642

Entities

People

  • Robert C. Blackstone

Organizations

  • United States Army Center of Military History

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Combat Readiness
  • Counterintelligence
  • Diplomats
  • Environment
  • Human Intelligence
  • Information Operations
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Security
  • Task Forces
  • Training
  • United Nations
  • United States
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Sociology

Readers

  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies