SHARED HISTORY, SHARED MISSIONS, MAXIMIZED INTEROPERABILITY: BEST PRACTICES FOR USSOF AND THE CIA
Authors
Crowell, Andrew B.
Flores-Diaz, Hugo E.
Snyder, Eric B.
Subjects
United States Special Operations Forces
Central Intelligence Agency
collaboration
best practices
organizational history
Central Intelligence Agency
collaboration
best practices
organizational history
Advisors
Tullius, John D.
Date of Issue
2018-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Since the Global War on Terrorism began, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have been engaged in a collaborative partnership within United States Country Teams. With a shared history, including shared successes, the two organizations have experienced mission overlap, with United States Special Operations Forces (USSOF) sometimes participating in intelligence collection, and the CIA on occasion conducting more kinetic operations. Opportunities for operational overlap have helped both organizations, allowing increased mission success through increased location access, augmented numbers, shared resources, and other benefits that aid their performance. However, areas of friction also exist, including in communications platforms, Title 10 and Title 50 authorities, and lack of awareness of each other’s organizational norms. This thesis details the shared history starting before World War II, examines the policies that uphold both, and conducts interviews with USSOF and CIA personnel, including those at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Defense Analysis Department. This thesis finds several positive benefits from USSOF and CIA collaboration and identifies key areas of potential friction so as to document best practices for maximized interoperability that support national security interests.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Defense Analysis (DA)
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.