Historical Perspective of Special Operations Forces as an Instrument of Strategy

<p>This study investigates the historical utility of Special Operations Forces (SOF) as instruments of national military strategy. The research concept employs the study of a representative historical example of each of the five current doctrinal SOF missions. The intent is to both assess the effectiveness of the SOF efforts at the time that they occurred and to derive continuing themes if appropriate for SOF strategic employment in the future. The study concludes that SOF strategic employment as represented by the operations examined has been largely effective though not without setbacks. Further there are operational and organizational components that repeatedly are central to success. Among these are the close integration of military operations into the larger political context the early provision of appropriate external support resources and the presence of sufficient and appropriately trained special operators to complete the assigned mission. While these components do not represent a checklist for the success of a strategic SOF operation they do represent realities that historical experience suggests will be of continuing importance.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>