Network design guidance for the Global Special Operations Forces network

Abstract

The current national security strategy calls for an increased reliance on relationships with diverse partners to address the challenges of the contemporary security environment. United States Special Operations Command is confronting these challenges with a Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Network (GSN). The question is this: how should SOF develop social networks in support of the GSN? This study employs a mixed-methods research design to create a process model of social network design to aid SOF in the development of the GSN. The model consists of five composite factors: expertise (E), sensemaking (S), connection (C), action (A) and narrative (N). These five factors are interconnected and form a process model called E-SCAN. The model is offered as a guide to assist SOF personnel in developing their social networks and building out the GSN.