| Publication |
2006.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Special Operations Forces (SOF) have transitioned from a marginalized force structure to a prominent part of U.S. military strategy. The gradual increase in status for SOF has been a long road. Historically, conventional military leaders have been skeptical of SOF and reluctant to use such forces. Political leaders, in contrast, have traditionally had an almost intuitive understanding of the capabilities and potential benefit of SOF. For the first time, military and political leaders are both convinced of the value of SOF. This shift has occurred for several factors: a dramatic change in the security environment marked by irregular threats, the declaration of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), and the conduct of SOF in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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