Security Force Assistance: An Enduring U.S. Army Structure

Abstract

Throughout the past century, the U.S. Army has engaged in advising foreign forces, now known by the doctrinal term Security Force Assistance (SFA). In each case, advisory units were assembled ad hoc and, following the mission, the effort was disbanded. Given recent experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and considering the future nature of conflict, the U.S. Army has a need for a permanent Security Force Assistance capability. Further, this capability is best captured by an enduring structure. The structural solution employed in current overseas contingency operations is to imbed advisory teams into existing organizations from theater level to Brigade Combat Team, as opposed to having separate organizations under independent command and control, such as an "Advisor Corps." This research project will analyze the various recommendations for conducting SFA in the 21st Century and conclude with a feasible recommendation on the way ahead to achieve an enduring capability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA522340

Entities

People

  • Scott W. Power

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan
  • Combat Forces
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Military Assistance
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Security
  • Special Forces
  • Training
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control