Special Operations Forces. An Assessment

The end of the Cold War and severe reductions in the defense budget might appear to argue against preserving military groups outside the standard force structure. We are learning the very opposite, however. As global politics turn egional, the value of Special Operations Forces (SOF) is becoming increasingly important. Future crises will require regional orientation, language proficiency, and rapid response — all tilings for which SOF are trained — and for less than 1 percent of the defense budget. To help detennine whether SOF arc necessary and cost-effective. Chairman Sam Nunn and Senator William Cohen of the Senate Anned Services Committee asked the Congressional Research Service's senior military analyst John Collins to a:sess the capabilities and contributions of the Special Operations Forces, This book is an enlargement and extension of Mi. Collins’ original report, further enriched by dramatic and illuminating illustrations. Although no policy recommendations arc presented, the careful reader may discern the value of SOF and the gains to be achieved by their unique training. The audior views these special forces as neither superfluous nor elite in a world where military challenges and requirements are no longer “standard." Written after exhaustive research throughout die SOF community and with open access across the board, this book represents die most thorough assessment of Special Operations Forces currently in print. Paul G. CERJAN Lieutenant General, U'S. Anny President, National Defense University In this volume, John Collins speaks with the authority of one who was literally present at the birth of the "low intensity conflict" era. His long-term, intimate, and direct contact with the esoteric world of special operations has few parallels. Their roots go back in time and history considerably fanher, but today’s Special Operations Forces are largely products of the past three decades. Their development has been in response to the pressures of world-wide situations perceived to bear upon or which actually do affect American strategic interests. The use of raw military power may not provide solutions to the complex problems involved and may even be counter-productive. Special Operations Forces, uniquely suited to fill the quasi-military gap. require the highest degree of professional competence in the application of the classical principles of war. This is a big order. It is difficult in a few words lo pay John Collins the tribute he deserves for continuing efforts to educate both the Congress and the U.S. Armed Forces concerning liie capabilities and limitations of special operations and die forces they involve. This latest addition to his carefully researched studies combines history, philosophy, factual data, and reference materials in a single document that should be on the desks of civilian and military leaders whose responsibilities relate in any wry to special operations. Lieutenant General, USA (Ret) Lieutenant General Yarborough served in many commands during his illustrious career but is perhaps best known for being Commanding General of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center from 1961 to 1965. It was during this tenure that President Kennedy's personal interest made the Given Berets world famous. An icon for Special Operations Forces, General Yarborough served several years as a member of the Special Operations Policy Advisory Group.

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