RELATIONAL MANEUVER: HOW TO WAGE IRREGULAR WARFARE AND MARSOC’S STRATEGIC APPLICATION
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Authors
Bailey, Paul G.
Woods, David J.
Subjects
irregular
warfare
relational
maneuver
attrition
political warfare
MARSOC
NSW
SEAL
USMC
Marine
Vietnam
El Salvador
Afghanistan
organization design
open systems analysis
SOF
small wars
low-intensity conflict
strategy
warfare
relational
maneuver
attrition
political warfare
MARSOC
NSW
SEAL
USMC
Marine
Vietnam
El Salvador
Afghanistan
organization design
open systems analysis
SOF
small wars
low-intensity conflict
strategy
Advisors
Sepp, Kalev I.
Date of Issue
2018-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Based on historical lessons learned from irregular warfare case studies, and internal organizational analysis, this thesis seeks to provide Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) with specific implementable recommendations based on Edward Luttwak’s concept of relational maneuver. Luttwak defines relational maneuver as a style of warfare that requires a deep understanding of the threat and its operational environment to identify vulnerabilities, adapt, and exploit those weaknesses to destroy the enemy as a system. Luttwak argues that irregular warfare requires effective implementation of relational maneuver to achieve operational and strategic success. The U.S. military’s experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2009 through 2016 have revealed insufficient use of relational maneuver, favoring, instead, employment of attrition warfare, which focuses on optimizing internal organizational efficiency without understanding, or adapting to, the threat or the operational environment. Through this research, the authors seek to influence MARSOC’s organizational strategy to more effectively wage irregular warfare. The final recommendations provide a possible path to MARSOC for overcoming institutional challenges inhibiting the employment of relational maneuver in irregular warfare.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
MARSOC
Funder
Format
Citation
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.