Special Operations Forces (SOF) Guide: Leadership, Theory, Strategic Art, Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Factbook, Essays and Research Topics

Six important documents provide unique information about U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU).

Contents: SOF-Power Workshop - A Way Forward for Special Operations Theory and Strategic Art * 2012 Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) and NDIA SO/LIC Division Essays * USSOCOM Research Topics 2013 - Joint Special Operations University * Initiating the Cognitive Revolution: An Examination of Special Operations Military Information Support Operations * Joint SOF Leadership Competency Model Explained * Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Factbook

Modern military Special Operations arguably started with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in World War II and have maintained strategic utility for almost 70 years. The War on Terror, the Iraq War, and Afghanistan operations reinforced SOF's strategic utility in the 21st century, so much so, that in the last decade, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) structure has been limited more by the availability of qualified personnel than either mission requirements or funding. Regardless of the strategic history of modern SOF, research, thinking, and publication largely focus on Special Operations tactics and operational-level planning. Strategic-level thinking about military Special Operations is yet to be adequately developed. In order to bridge this gap, the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Strategic Studies Department convened a SOF-Power Workshop in August 2011 to examine the role of military Special Operations (SOF-Power) in national security and the relevance and feasibility of a theory of Special Operations to inform and guide the development and use of Special Operations and SOF. Eleven participants from various SOF and relevant academic backgrounds participated: the SOF Chairs from PME institutions, Senior Fellows from the JSOU Strategic Studies Department, and others from non-military institutions with an interest in SOF strategic utility. In a relatively short time this group critically examined the role of military Special Operations in the 21st century and validated SOF-Power's continued strategic utility. From this foundation, the work group concluded the need for a unified theory of Special Operations as a foundational document for the pursuit of education and strategic art within the SOF community, and the greater military and political communities. This report documents the work group's insights and conclusions and provides recommendations for a way forward in broadening the strategic art in regard to SOF-Power.

JSOU is the educational component of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The JSOU mission is to educate SOF executive, senior, and intermediate leaders and selected other national and international security decision makers, both military and civilian, through teaching, outreach, and research in the science and art of joint special operations. JSOU provides education to the men and women of SOF and to those who enable the SOF mission in a joint and interagency environment. JSOU conducts research through its Strategic Studies Department where effort centers upon the USSOCOM and United States SOF missions.

Hearts and Minds: Islam and Afghanistan's Moral Center of Gravity * The USSOCOM Trinity: Refining Special Operations Commitment to 21st Century Warfare * Targeting the Will of the Insurgent in order to Manipulate the Breakpoint of an Insurgency * Unity of Effort in the New World Dynamic: Success through Shared Vision * Dual Use Special Operation Force

Priority Topics * Combating Terrorism * Irregular Warfare Strategy and Operations * Interagency Issues * Regional and Cultural Issues * USSOCOM and SOF Issues