Advanced search Help
Searching for terms: EXACT: "Yarger, Harry R. (Harry Richard)" in: author
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Special Operations Forces (SOF) and a Theory of Modern Terrorism
"Loosely labelled as 'terrorism studies,' much about terrorism has been learned through experience and research. Members of academia, think tanks, and the policy and security professions have contributed to a wide-ranging analysis and commentary on various aspects of terrorism they find of interest. Most of these contributions are useful and constructive, and some of them are contradictory. Military doctrine writers have taken advantage of this renaissance to continually improve doctrine. Policymakers and strategists have also selectively mined these resources. While terrorists' adaptability will always offer something new to comment on, the pieces of a comprehensive theory of modern terrorism are already visible within this research and commentary. […] This article synthesizes and outlines such a theory and illustrates some of its implications for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Current U.S. strategy documents essentially state that the United States is confronted with numerous security challenges and while these potential challenges are known and can be categorized to some degree, the specific details of exactly who, what, where, how, and when can only be anticipated, not predicted with certainty. […] To meet these challenges, the U.S. military is pursuing a hedging strategy, preparing to address multiple threats, known and unknown, and building increasingly sophisticated and adaptive forces. In doing this, SOF assume the main U.S. military role in the 'war on terrorism.'"
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
Yarger, Harry R. (Harry Richard)
2016-09
-
Building Partner Capacity
From the Introduction: "Within the military, doctrine at the joint, service, and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) levels has experienced a renaissance of thinking, bringing back much previously learned and incorporating new thinking generated by changing global conditions and recent experience with 21st century issues. Much of this thinking is counterinsurgency (COIN) oriented, but it has moved beyond this to a larger perspective. From the research, experience, and doctrinal insights, lessons can be drawn about the best use of U.S. military forces, particularly limited SOF [Special Operations Forces] resources, in BPC [building partner capacity]. Successful BPC is a complex and difficult undertaking. Such complexity and difficulty require a high degree of strategic thinking at senior levels and a developed sense of strategic appreciation at lower levels to ensure BPC achieves and retains strategic focus and does not become a menu of activities to be spread fairly across the various areas of operation around the globe. Only then can tactical activities be synchronized in support of strategic objectives and the whole of the efforts support the grand strategy. Historical experience suggests we must understand ourselves and others, and how we want to shape the world in order to achieve stability and security. The purpose of this monograph is to provide such strategic context and develop a broader understanding of BPC as a strategic concept in order to improve practice at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels."
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
Yarger, Harry R. (Harry Richard)
2015-02
-
Short of General War: Perspectives on the Use of Military Power in the 21st Century
"At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the United States is involved in two ongoing wars, faces a significant international terrorist threat, and is witnessing an escalation of international resistance to its leadership of the global world order. Looking out to 2025, many see the potential for a prolonged period of instability as a result of competing economic models, demographics, the rise of new international actors and the resurgence old ones, climate change, and the scarcity of resources. The range of stability challenges will stretch the capabilities of any military force structure and require innovative thinking on the part of policymakers and military professionals alike on the appropriate development and use of the military element of power. In this anthology, 16 students of the U.S. Army War College Class of 2008 offer their perspectives on the use of military power across the spectrum of conflict in the 21st century, short of or following general war, and provide insights into the necessary force structure, policy, strategy, and doctrinal approaches for future success. Beyond a focus on operations short of general war, these writings share in common a worthwhile idea or set of ideas that can materially contribute to how the U.S. military can best conduct full spectrum operations. Collectively, these essays reveal the innovative thinking and diversity and depth of thought of the U.S. and foreign military and civilian agency personnel that comprise each student body at the U.S. Army War College as they prepare themselves to become senior leaders and fulfill their roles in their militaries or agencies."
Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Yarger, Harry R. (Harry Richard)
2010-04
-
Educating for Strategic Thinking in the SOF Community: Considerations and a Proposal
"In 2002, then Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld challenged the Special Operations Forces (SOF) world by giving United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) the lead in planning for the war on terrorism. In the 2005 Unified Command Plan, USSOCOM completed the transition from a supporting command, with the responsibility to provide forces to other regional United States (U.S.) commanders, to that of a supported command. Former Secretary Rumsfeld clearly saw that the 21st century strategic environment presented significant challenges for a conventionally oriented military. With his directives USSOCOM became a full fledged strategic military actor, but the change raised questions about the SOF community's preparation for its new strategic responsibilities. The image of tactical 'snake eaters' and individual and small unit tactical focus appear to be in direct contrast to the increasing strategic role of SOF senior leaders and staff members. Equally important, increasingly SOF will be placed in situations where poor tactical decisions can have significant negative strategic consequences or the fleeting opportunity for positive strategic effect is revealed. How well are SOF personnel prepared for these roles and how best can the SOF 'operator' acquire strategic awareness and appreciation and develop strategic thinking abilities for his level? The objective of this monograph is to examine the issue of 'strategic thinking' in SOF: What is the future need and how should the community develop and better inculcate strategic thinking in its members?"
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
Yarger, Harry R. (Harry Richard)
2007-01
-
Strategic Theory for the 21st Century: The Little Book on Big Strategy
"The word 'strategy' pervades American conversation and our news media. We tend to use strategy as a general term for a plan, a concept, a course of action, or a 'vision' of the direction in which to proceed at the personal, organizational, and governmental-local, state, or federal-levels. Such casual use of the term to describe nothing more than 'what we would like to do next' is inappropriate and belies the complexity of true strategy and strategic thinking. It reduces strategy to just a good idea without the necessary underlying thought or development. It also leads to confusion between strategy and planning, confining strategic possibilities to near-time planning assumptions and details, while limiting the flexibility of strategic thought and setting inappropriately specific expectations of outcomes. This 'little book'-actually a monograph-talks about big strategy, strategy at the highest levels of the nation-state. It is applicable to grand strategy, national security strategy, national military strategy, and regional or theater strategy. The monograph does not propose a strategy for the United States; rather, it provides a framework for considering strategy at any of the levels mentioned above. It is an examination of theory, exploring those aspects of strategy that appear to have universal application. The theory also may have application to the strategy of nonstate actors, institutions, and businesses, but the explicit purpose and perspective offered herein focus on the nation-state."
Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Yarger, Harry R. (Harry Richard)
2006-02
1
