Special Operations Forces

<p>This monograph examines the application of special operations forces (SOF) as a means to achieve strategic ends across the operational continuum. In war political constraints are minimal and a theater commander-in-chief (CINC) is allowed to employ overwhelming conventional force across time and space to accomplish his strategic ends. However in operations short of war political limitations restrict the CINC's expression of operational art in terms of time space and amount of force. SOF provides the CINC a means to conduct operational art within the political restrictions. Capable of conducting independent special operations or complementing conventional forces SOF is a versatile and flexible tool for use across the operational continuum. The monograph analyzes three historical cases of SOF across the operational continuum. Operation Galahad (Burma 1944) Operation Kingpin (Vietnam 1970) and Operation Thunderbolt (Uganda 1976) illustrate the use of SOF in war conflict and peacetime competition respectively. The validity of SOF as an operational tool is determined by passing these examples through the lens of FM 100-5's criteria for operational art. The analysis shows that special operations conducted by SOF provides the ways and means to achieve the ends regardless of the political constraints. This study concludes that SOF provides the CINC with a versatile means to achieve his strategic ends across the operational continuum. Like a carpenter's combination tool SOF provides a wide variety of capabilities for the CINC's operational toolbox. In war SOF exploits enemy weaknesses as a combat multiplier for conventional forces and sets conditions for operational success. In operations short of war where conventional forces are constrained by political limitations SOF provides a means to achieve the strategic ends for the theater. In short as the political influence on the operational continuum increases the application of SOF increases as t</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>