Flattening the Learning Curve: SOF as the Supported Command in the Irregular Warfare Environment

Abstract

When the United States commits forces to a war, overseas contingency operations, or any other largescale military effort that centers on conflict with belligerents other than another country's armed military forces, Special Operations Forces (SOF) should be the supported command. Joint doctrine allows for support of such a concept, but that doctrine has not always been followed in practice. Consequently, this thesis argues for SOF being the supported command in an irregular warfare environment. By selecting the force specifically trained for the task at hand, the United States will dramatically reduce the time lost on the "learning curve" that results from relying predominantly on General Purpose Forces (GPF) commanders in all combat situations. Advocating for SOF being the supported command is not an argument for SOF only, but rather aims for a synergistic and truly unified approach that makes the best possible use of local national forces, partner nations, and GPF in an irregular warfare environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA562833

Entities

People

  • Aaron C. Sessoms
  • Damon S. Robins
  • David J. O'hearn

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Conventional Warfare
  • Doctrine
  • Green Berets
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Seal Teams
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Students
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.