In this book, two national-security experts put the exploits of America's special operation forces in historical and strategic context. David Tucker and Christopher J. Lamb offer an incisive overview of America's turbulent experience with special operations. Starting with in-depth interviews with special operators, the authors illustrate the diversity of modern special operations forces and the strategic value of their unique attributes.
Despite longstanding and growing public fascination with special operators, these forces and their contribution to national security are poorly understood. With this book, Tucker and Lamb dispel common misconceptions and offer a penetrating analysis of how these unique and valuable forces can be employed to even better effect in the future. The book builds toward a comprehensive assessment of the strategic utility of special operations forces, which it then considers in light of the demands of future warfare. This second edition of United States Special Operations Forces, revised throughout to account for lessons learned in the twelve years since its first publication, includes two new case studies, one on High Value Target Teams and another on Village Stability Operations, and two new appendixes charting the evolution of special operation missions and the best literature on all aspects of U.S. special operation forces.
In this book, two national-security experts put the exploits of America's special operation forces in historical and strategic context. David Tucker and Christopher J. Lamb offer an incisive overview of America's turbulent experience with special operations. Starting with in-depth interviews with special operators, the authors illustrate the diversity of modern special operations forces and the strategic value of their unique attributes.
Despite longstanding and growing public fascination with special operators, these forces and their contribution to national security are poorly understood. With this book, Tucker and Lamb dispel common misconceptions and offer a penetrating analysis of how these unique and valuable forces can be employed to even better effect in the future. The book builds toward a comprehensive assessment of the strategic utility of special operations forces, which it then considers in light of the demands of future warfare. This second edition of United States Special Operations Forces, revised throughout to account for lessons learned in the twelve years since its first publication, includes two new case studies, one on High Value Target Teams and another on Village Stability Operations, and two new appendixes charting the evolution of special operation missions and the best literature on all aspects of U.S. special operation forces.
Introduction: American Special Operations Forces
Part I: The American Experience with Special Operations
Forces
1. Special Operations Forces and Modern Warfare
2. History
Part II: Selected Case Studies
3. Somalia
4. High-Value Target Teams
5. Village Stability Operations
Part III: Special Operations Forces and U.S. National Security
Policy
6. Special Operations Forces Roles and Missions
7. Special Operations Forces and the Future of Warfare
Conclusion: The Strategic Utility of American Special Operations
Forces
Appendix 1: The Evolution of Special Operations Forces Roles and
Missions
Appendix 2: Bibliographic Essay for U.S. Special Operations
Forces
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
David Tucker is senior fellow at the Ashbrook Center at Ashland
University. He taught in the Special Operations/Irregular Warfare
curriculum at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School for many years and
before that served in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. His most
recent book is Revolution and Resistance: Moral Revolution,
Military Might, and the End of Empire (2016).
Christopher J. Lamb retired as a distinguished research fellow at
the National Defense University. His previous positions in the
Departments of Defense and State include deputy assistant secretary
of defense for resources and plans, deputy director of the State
Department’s interagency task force for military stabilization in
the Balkans, and director of policy planning in the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and
Low-Intensity Conflict. His most recent book is The Mayaguez
Crisis, Mission Command, and Civil-Military Relations (2018).
Since its first edition in 2007, United States Special Operations
Forces has served as the indispensable source for serious policy
and strategy makers involved with overseeing our nation's special
operations forces. With deep knowledge and great clarity, the
authors explain the essential characteristics of special operations
forces, their strategic utility, and key issues involved in their
strategic employment.
*James R. Locher, recipient of the 2019 Global SOF Foundation
Lifetime Achievement Award and former assistant secretary of
defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict*
United States Special Operations Forces reflects the authors’ deep
knowledge and understanding of special operations. It is unique in
that it clearly offers a logical value proposition for the most
effective employment of special operations forces. Its arguments
are compelling and convincing. A substantive and comprehensive
contribution to the literature about special operations.
*Hy Rothstein, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School*
This updated edition is a brilliant and timely addition to the
exponentially growing literature on the ‘Fifth Service,’ the
fastest growing branch of armed forces in the United States and
around the world. It is a must-read for students, scholars, members
of the armed forces, and anyone who wants to understand the
changing nature of warfare.
*Ami Pedahzur, University of Texas at Austin*
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