Foundations and Adaptation: Transforming Policy into Operational Capability for Army Special Operations Forces

Abstract

The current and future security environments will require the United States to have versatile military forces able to operate throughout the spectrum of conflict. Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) were created to provide this versatility. In order to have the strategic impact for which ARSOF was created, these forces must be remissioned from the tactical tasks which currently consume their availability, returned to the core competencies for which they were founded, and adapt their bureaucratic structure to maximize their strategic potential. This change will occur in a time of limited budgets and within the constant struggle of parochialism within and among the services. Through the Phase 0 operations for which ARSOF was tailored, they will provide policy makers with the capability to prevent future decisive engagements and maintain the US as a global power.