The smooth operator: understanding cross-cultural interpersonal skills in special operations
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Authors
Delcoure, Dustin E.
Subjects
cross-cultural interpersonal skills
influence
negotiation
mediation
psychology of negotiation
cross-cultural negotiation
emotional intelligence
rapport building
Human Domain
Irregular Warfare
Unconventional Warfare
Special Warfare
social movement theory
Special Operations
assessment and selection
leadership
interagency coordination
influence
negotiation
mediation
psychology of negotiation
cross-cultural negotiation
emotional intelligence
rapport building
Human Domain
Irregular Warfare
Unconventional Warfare
Special Warfare
social movement theory
Special Operations
assessment and selection
leadership
interagency coordination
Advisors
Barrett, Frank
Date of Issue
2014-12
Date
Dec-14
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Global SOF partnership is a major focus of U.S. Special Operations Command, and the United States Army Special Operations Command recognizes its force as the best-suited element in the U.S. Army to operate within the human domain. U.S. Army Special Forces are the military’s experts in unconventional warfare. Accomplishment of these missions is heavily reliant on success at the cross-cultural, interpersonal level. Each special operator, regardless of unit, needs to navigate organizational and cultural boundaries effectively in order to achieve unity of effort and improve chances for mission success. This research places emphasis on U.S. Army Special Forces specifically, and the USSOCOM force more generally. Selection and training programs are discussed to illustrate current efforts to develop cross-cultural, interpersonal skill sets, along with the potential to enhance them. This effort, drawn from interviews, identifies themes advanced by deployed special operators. The conclusion provides recommendations for training and sustainment of the requisite cross-cultural interpersonal skills needed for success, with the intent of enhancing the individual operator’s ability to excel in complex interpersonal engagements.
Type
Thesis
Description
Reissued 24 Feb 2015 to correct graduation date.
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
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.