JOINT SPECIAL FORCES AND UNCONVENTIONAL
WARFARE
“Today we see a bewildering diversity of separatist wars, ethnic and
religious violence, coups d’état, border disputes, civil upheavals, and
terrorist attacks, pushing waves of poverty-stricken, war-ridden
immigrants (and hordes of drug traffickers as well) across national
boundaries. In the increasingly wired global economy, many of these
seemingly small conflicts trigger strong secondary effects in surrounding
(and even distant) countries. Thus a “many small wars” scenario is
compelling military planners in many armies to look afresh at what they
call “special operations” or “special forces” — the niche warriors of
tomorrow.”
Alvin and Heidi Toffler
War and Anti-War, Survival at the Dawn of the 21
st
Century
INTRODUCTION
Special operations (SO) are operations conducted in hostile, denied, or politically
sensitive environments to achieve military, diplomatic, informational, and/or
economic objectives employing military capabilities for which there is no broad
conventional force requirement. These operations often require covert, clandestine,
or discreet capabilities. Special operations are applicable across the range of
military operations. They can be conducted independently or in conjunction with
operations of conventional forces or other government agencies and may include
operations by, with, or through indigenous or surrogate forces.
Political-military
considerations frequently shape special operations, requiring clandestine, covert, or
low-visibility techniques and oversight at the national level. Special operations differ
from conventional operations in degree of physical and political risk, operational
techniques, mode of employment, independence from friendly support, and
dependence on detailed operational intelligence and indigenous assets. Special
Operation Forces (SOF) are more than just what they do. SOF are comprised of
specially selected, trained, and organized special operations soldiers, sailors, and
airmen from the Armed Services. Their training, education, maturity, initiative, and
experience set them apart from all others. SOF personnel form the core of our
nation’s ability to combat terrorism and conduct unconventional warfare. Despite
their demonstrated capability and successes SOF face significant challenges in
the years ahead. SOF must develop capabilities to defend the country from
terrorism and other threats wherever they occur, as well as prepare to meet the
uncertain challenges of the future. Transforming the force from one designed to
combat specific threats to one with capabilities that can address a broad range of
contingencies will not be easy, but it must be done. They must be prepared to wage
war “everywhere, all the time.”
