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Special Operations Forces

Report

Developing and Assessing Options for the Global SOF Network

U.S. Special Operations Command's Global SOF Network vision calls for a distributed overseas posture for Special Operations Forces (SOF) as part of a new approach to respond to and deter threats. RAND researchers developed implementation options by creating and applying an analytically rigorous methodology.

Sep 27, 2013
Commentary

Surprise! Now What?

Who is best prepared for responding to surprise: a Navy SEAL, an NFL coach, or a Fortune 500 CEO? The answer is that all three professions have something to teach us: The NFL coach is an expert in pre-planning; the SEAL is great under pressure; and a good CEO has become an expert in responding to strategic threats.

Aug 27, 2013
Q&A

Surprise: Q and A with Dave Baiocchi and D. Steven Fox

Dealing with surprises is an important part of many professions. The NFL coach prepares by developing a comprehensive response plan for anything that could happen during the game while the Navy SEALs rely on a looser framework that helps them stay alive and achieve their mission objective.

Aug 14, 2013
Research Brief

The Elements of Surprise: How Professionals Prepare for and Respond to Unexpected Events

This research brief summarizes the findings of a project that sought to identify common strategies used by practitioners in various professions, from professional sports to Navy SEALs, to respond to unexpected events.

Aug 14, 2013
Report

Surprise! How Professionals Prepare for and Respond to the Unexpected

Professionals today are expected to respond to more variables at a faster rate than was the case even a decade ago. What do ambassadors, chief executive officers, military personnel, and physicians believe creates surprise, how do they respond to it, and how can the effects of surprise be mitigated?

Aug 14, 2013
Research Brief

Creating "Purpose-Driven" Forces: Enhancing the Contributions of U.S. Army National Guard Special Forces

U.S. Army Special Operations Command wants to enhance the contributions of Army National Guard Special Forces and move toward making them a purpose-driven force, that is, organized and employed to take advantage of their particular experience.

Apr 10, 2013
Commentary

Special Ops Global Whack-a-Mole

A new model for our nation's special forces could follow the approach used in Colombia and the Philippines, where special forces planned ongoing campaigns that use numerous advisory, civil affairs, and informational activities to address those governments' weaknesses in providing security and ending conflicts.

Apr 7, 2013
Commentary

New 'Rule Book' to Set Parameters for Targeted Killings

A constrictive rule book against direct-action counterterrorism techniques could be in tension with operational realities. But it would go some way toward establishing the legal and ethical framework under which such difficult decisions are made, writes Patrick Johnston.

Dec 5, 2012
Report

National Guard Special Forces: Enhancing the Contributions of Reserve Component Army Special Operations Forces

Analyzes U.S. Army National Guard (ARNG) Special Forces capabilities and studies how they could be put to use in future deployments.

Nov 6, 2012
Research Brief

The Value and Limitations of Minimalist Stabilization Efforts

Minimalist stabilizations — small-scale interventions designed to stabilize a partner government engaged in violent conflict — have both utility and limitations. This report proposes policy recommendations to improve the outcomes of such operations.

Oct 1, 2012
Report

The Uses and Limits of Small-Scale Military Interventions

Minimalist stabilizations — small-scale interventions designed to stabilize a partner government engaged in violent conflict — have both utility and limitations. This report proposes policy recommendations to improve the outcomes of such operations.

Sep 27, 2012
Dissertation

Understanding and Engaging the Muslims of the Southern Philippines

Explores and compares how members of the US military, Philippine military and police, and populace of Mindanao understand Islamic beliefs and values.

Aug 10, 2012
Report

Building Partner Health Capacity with U.S. Military Forces: Enhancing AFSOC Health Engagement Missions

Planning for, assessing, and enhancing the effectiveness of missions to build health capacity in partner nations -- how U.S. military forces can assist in this important effort.

Aug 8, 2012
Blog

The Case for Expanding Assistance to the Syrian Opposition

What is important for the U.S. government to do at this stage is forge relationships with those likely to next govern Syria. The United States should up its assistance to the rebels, providing military assets needed for success that only the United States possesses in adequate number.

Aug 1, 2012
Testimony

The Case for Expanding Assistance to the Syrian Opposition

The U.S. and its European allies have a strong interest in Assad's fall, largely due to that regime's alignment with Iran. Syria provides the main bridge by which Iran is able to support Hezbollah and Hamas, influence Lebanon, outflank its Sunni Gulf adversaries and threaten Israel.

Aug 1, 2012
Commentary

Fighting the Insurgency

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Jun 8, 2004
Research Brief

Are There Barriers to Minorities Joining Special Operations Forces?

Are minorities underrepresented and, if so, are there barriers that hinder them from joining Special Operations Forces (SOF)?

Jan 1, 1999
Report

U.S. Preparation for Future Low-Level Conflict

Reports a discussion of implications for U.S. security planning of small-scale crises and conflicts, held in October 1976 at RAND.

Jan 1, 1977
People

Elizabeth M. Bartels

Codirector, RAND Center for Gaming; Associate Policy Researcher
Education Ph.D. in policy analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School; M.S. in political science, MIT; B.A. in political science, University of Chicago
People

Michael Bohnert

Associate Engineer
Education B.S. in mechanical engineering, University of Notre Dame; M.E. in systems engineering, The Pennsylvania State University

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RAND Topic:
Special Operations Forces

Topic Synonyms:
Military Special Forces

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