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Special Operations Research Program

/centers-and-divisions/cna/special-programs/special-operations

Brings a deep and regional understanding of operations to issues facing special ops forces, including exercises, workforce, security and infrastructure.

Special Operations Brings a deep and regional understanding of operations to issues facing special ops forces, including exercises, workforce, security and infrastructure. /images/Centers/CNA/SPOPsBanner.jpg Special Operations Research Program CNA’s analyses of special operations forces are coordinated by the Special Operations Research Program . Our experts bring a thorough understanding of operations to complex issues facing Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders and other special ops forces. These include analyses of special operations exercises and training, workforce management, infrastructure

Why Are Special Operations Ever Conducted?

/our-media/indepth/2020/11/why-are-special-operations-ever-conducted

Anyone who has watched popular films such as Zero Dark Thirty, 12 Strong, Lone Survivor, or Blackhawk Down has to wonder: why are special operations ever conducted in the first place?

Why Are Special Operations Ever Conducted? Anyone who has watched popular films such as Zero Dark Thirty, 12 Strong, Lone Survivor, or Blackhawk Down has to wonder: why are special operations ever conducted in the first place? /images/InDepth/Post66.webp Why Are Special Operations Ever Conducted? 66 Dr. Jonathan Schroden Dr. Jonathan Schroden is the Director of CNA's Center for Stability and Development (CSD), and also directs CNA's Special Operations Program , which focuses on research and analysis on the most complex and challenging issues facing special operations forces (SOF) today

Why Special Operations

/reports/2020/09/why-special-operations

There is today a burgeoning discussion in the literature as to what really constitutes a “special operation,” what makes the forces that conduct them “special,” whether these aspects are so different from conventional military operations and forces as to warrant their own theory, and, if they do, what such a theory should be. This paper addresses an aspect of special operations that has yet to be explained adequately—the question of why special operations are conducted. The answer lies in the consideration of risk. Because policy-makers are inherently reliant upon some form of popular support to maintain their positions of power, they are also inherently averse to taking risky actions. The centrality of risk to policy decisions leads directly to this definition: special operations are unorthodox military solutions to difficult policy problems that lower the level of risk to policy-makers. This definition leads to a risk-centric theory of why special operations are conducted: if policy-makers have a difficult policy problem and they are unsatisfied with the level of risk presented by orthodox solutions or inaction, then they will choose special operations. After deriving this theory, this paper evaluates it, applies it to the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan, and discusses implications of the theory for the future of US special operations forces.

Why Special Operations Why Special Operations? A Risk-Based Theory There is today a burgeoning discussion in the literature as to what really constitutes a “special operation,” what makes the forces that conduct them “special,” whether these aspects are so different from conventional military operations and forces as to warrant their own theory, and, if they do, what such a theory should be. This paper addresses an aspect of special operations that has yet to be explained adequately—the question of why special operations are conducted. The answer lies in the consideration of risk. Because

How Can Special Operations Forces Contribute to Strategic Competition?

/our-media/indepth/2023/06/how-can-special-operations-forces-contribute-to-interstate-competition

In his testimony, Jon Schroden discussed what special operations forces need to change to become an effective force in interstate competition.

How Can Special Operations Forces Contribute to Interstate Competition? In his testimony, Jon Schroden discussed what special operations forces need to change to become an effective force in interstate competition. /images/InDepth/2023/06/Schroden-testimony-5-resized.webp How Can Special Operations Forces Contribute to Strategic Competition? CNA Communications Jonathan Schroden is the Director of CNA's Countering Threats and Challenges Programs and its Special Operations Program . The 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) marked a dramatic shift in the defense priorities of the United

Implications of IUUF for SpecOpsForces

/reports/2023/10/implications-of-iuuf-for-specopsforces

US special operations forces could help counter China’s IUU fishing violations as a “global connector,” sharing information and training partner nations.

Implications of IUUF for SpecOpsForces Implications of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing for US Special Operations Forces US special operations forces could help counter China’s IUU fishing violations as a “global connector,” sharing information and training partner nations. In Special Operations Research Topics 2023 , published by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), one of the highlighted  topics of interest was the potential for special operations forces (SOF) to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing conducted by the People’s Republic of China

Plans and Strategy

/expertise/plans-and-strategy

CNA experts in strategy and plans have advised Marine Corps, Navy, homeland security senior leaders for decades, including analysis for today’s force designs.

/coming-in-from-the-cold/episode-31-the-collapse-of-cold-war-naval-strategic-planning orange half large Why Are Special Operations Ever Conducted? /our-media/indepth/2020/11/why-are-special-operations-ever-conducted Blank Why Special Operations? A Risk-Based Theory /reports/2020/09/why-special-operations Blank Explore More /our-research/explore-all Historical Paper Series Considerations for US Naval ... speak with Dr. Steve Wills about his new book, Strategy Shelved: The Collapse of Cold War Naval Strategic Planning. Why Special Operations? Dr. Jonathan Schroden explains why special operations forces

A Special Study Influences Special Operations

/about-us/research/case-studies/a-special-study-influences-special-operations

A Special Study Influences Special Operations /images/research/CS-Special-Operations.jpg A Special Study Influences Special Operations When Dr. Michelle Dolfini-Reed published a CNA analysis ... against new job categories for the Marine Forces Special Operations Command, or MARSOC. But her analysis was toted from meeting to meeting by MARSOC’s commander for more than a year. Even ... , standard “infantry Marines” made up most of the command’s troops. This meant that after two years of specialized training, most would move out of special operations and on to other parts of the Corps

The Role of Special Operations Forces in Global Competition

/reports/2017/the-role-of-special-operations-forces-in-global-competition

Nations have a variety of options for exerting influence, such as through diplomatic, military, or economic means. In recent years, some nations have shifted to more ambiguous activities for exerting global influence, in attempts to achieve benefits normally obtained through conventional war, but without triggering such a war. In this report, we explored a different way of thinking about these ambiguous activities and their implications, which suggested a need to shift U.S. focus away from preparing to win tomorrow and toward winning today. From this shift, we described a different approach to U.S. activities in such competitive environments. We also identified the unique qualities of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) as the military force having the best alignment with these different activities.

The Role of Special Operations Forces in Global Competition The Role of Special Operations Forces in Global Competition Nations have a variety of options for exerting influence, such as through ... the unique qualities of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) as the military force having the best alignment with these different activities. Nations have a variety of options for exerting influence ... de-escalates, neutralizes, or escalates. This counteractive approach requires capabilities that largely align with U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) competencies. The qualities of SOF include the ability

Next Generation Leadership and Implications SOF

/reports/2022/08/next-generation-leadership-and-implications-sof

Special operations forces need leadership suited to Millennials and Gen Zers. This study recommends a leadership philosophy, leadership traits, and accountability.

Next Generation Leadership and Implications SOF Next Generation Leadership and Implications for Special Operations Forces Special operations forces need leadership suited to Millennials and Gen Zers ... issues for the future of special operations forces (SOF). Specifically, we sought to answer the following questions: What are the predominant traits associated with SOF leadership today? What ... Anya Fink Next Generation Leadership and Implications for Special Operations Forces Alexander Powell Lia Janzer

cna talks: A New Vision for Special Operations Forces

/our-media/podcasts/cna-talks/2022/06/a-new-vision-for-special-operations-forces

Since the start of the global war on terror in 2001, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) have been laser-focused on counterterrorism. But as the Department of Defense shifts its priorities to great-power competition Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is adapting to fit this new mission. In this episode of CNA Talks, experts on Special Operations Forces sit down to discuss the Special Operations Command’s Vision and Strategy document.

A New Vision for Special Operations Forces Since the start of the global war on terror in 2001, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) have been laser-focused on counterterrorism. But as the Department of Defense shifts its priorities to great-power competition Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is adapting to fit this new mission. In this episode of CNA Talks, experts on Special Operations Forces sit down to discuss the Special Operations Command’s Vision and Strategy document. A New Vision for Special Operations Forces Biographies Jonathan Schroden  is the Director of CNA's