Tactical Special Operations and Conventional Force Interdependence: The Future of Land Force Development
Abstract
As the United States concludes a decade of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan the Army is focused on capturing lessons learned in order to build an operationally adaptive future land force. Operational adaptability is the Army's broad strategy to address a complex foe operating in a population-centric environment. The Army demonstrated operational adaptability to varying degrees over time in Iraq and Afghanistan as it sought new and innovative ways to wage counterinsurgency warfare. The ultimate example of operational adaptability is the village stability operations (VSO) program in Afghanistan. The VSO program consists of interdependent special operations and convention forces integrated at the tactical level, with unity of effort and command, working to stabilize and connect rural Afghan villages to the Afghan central government. Study of the development of the VSO program and the interdependence that makes the program work provides insights into operational adaptability. Ensuring these lessons are inculcated across the institutional Army through such means as doctrinal development of the human domain and the 7th war fighting function will ensure the Army can rapidly adapt to future operating environments. The United States cannot afford to invest another decade into learning how to succeed in population-centric conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589730
Entities
People
- William R. Canda Iii
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College