Coalition Special Operations: An Operational-Level View

This paper analyzes U.S. special operations at the operational-level. The role of the Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) is the focus. As envisioned by the authors of the Cohen-Nunn Amendment to the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1987, U.S. SOF were placed under one command, the U.S. Special Operations Command. Ten years later, the intent of the Cohen-Nunn Amendment (to ensure the readiness of this nation's special operations capability) has been achieved. Yet, the institutional separation between conventional forces and SOF creates a void in the knowledge of special operations at the operational-level. Despite the efforts and successes of the theater Special Operations Commands (SOC), this lack of knowledge risks misuse or under use of SOF in an environment where SOF possess a comparative advantage: coalition operations. Using recent coalition operations as illustrative case studies, the author details SOF's history, their comparative advantage in coalition operations, and the unique characteristics of the JSOTF. It is the author's intent to improve the level of understanding of future conventional force commanders and staff involved in the planning and execution of coalition operations.