The Special Operations Forces Truths have been around for so long that they are taken for granted. The thing is, you can apply them to any low denisty, high demand capability. I thought we should kick off this Monday morning by revisiting them since the US Army has not only deactivated its Long Range Surveillance capability but it’s Pathfinder Companies as well. Once they’re gone, it’s difficult to bring them back.
Humans are more important than hardware
People – not equipment – make the critical difference. The right people, highly trained and working as a team, will accomplish the mission with the equipment available. On the other hand, the best equipment in the world cannot compensate for a lack of the right people.
Quality is better than quantity
A small number of people, carefully selected, well trained, and well led, are preferable to larger numbers of troops, some of whom may not be up to the task.
Special Operations Forces cannot be mass produced
It takes years to train operational units to the level of proficiency needed to accomplish difficult and specialized SOF missions. Intense training – both in SOF schools and units – is required to integrate competent individuals into fully capable units. This process cannot be hastened without degrading ultimate capability.
Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur
Creation of competent, fully mission capable units takes time. Employment of fully capable special operations capability on short notice requires highly trained and constantly available SOF units in peacetime.
Most special operations require non-SOF assistance
The operational effectiveness of our deployed forces cannot be, and never has been, achieved without being enabled by our joint service partners. The support Air Force, Army, Marine and Navy engineers, technicians, intelligence analysts, and the numerous other professions that contribute to SOF, have substantially increased our capabilities and effectiveness throughout the world.
