MILLENNIALS IN COMMAND: #INFILTRATION
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Authors
Davis, Joseph D.
Bochner, William W.
Subjects
Special Operations
SOF
Infiltration
global connectivity
population density
future battlespace
2035
technology
megacity
deception
stealth
cyber
subterranean
SOF
Infiltration
global connectivity
population density
future battlespace
2035
technology
megacity
deception
stealth
cyber
subterranean
Advisors
Freeman, Michael E.
Burks, Robert E.
Date of Issue
2019-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The relevance and best utilization of traditional SOF Infiltration methods are depicted for the battlefield of 2035. Through an analysis of trends in demographics, technology, diffusion of social media, and adversary capabilities, the study focuses on civilian population density and connectivity, and their relation to a SOF unit's ability to conduct time-sensitive, direct action operations. This study first outlines a typology for describing an operational environment, past or future, using the variables of population density and connectivity. Next, using the established typology, the study analyzes historical case studies of both military and non-military infiltration in environments that share characteristics with the proposed future environment, recognizing that no historical environments exist that simultaneously exhibit both the population density and connectivity of the future. The study then identifies among the case studies the characteristics that historically resulted in successful infiltration, with the goal of developing a heuristic approach to the problem of infiltration in a future environment. Finally, this thesis offers recommendations for the direction in which SOF capabilities (tactical, platform-based, and a planning mindset) should advance to conduct successful infiltration on the battlefields of 2035 and beyond.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.