[gagners]

"Experienced SOF officers and NCOs the world over are eager to furnish you a wide range of options on every subject that concerns your command, but find no convenient way to do so. "

I think this is a problem stemming primarily from the conventional side and, while improved education for SOF leaders, mentioned above, will help incrementally, the potential for exponential improvement lies with conventional leaders.

Most conventional leaders probably
1) hadn't worked with SOF before the wars
2) might harbor a little animousity ("I don't need THEIR help to handle my AO")
or
3) might not understand what SOF brings to the table

I took a course recently (for shits and giggles) that outlines a CJSOTF's build, capabilities (generic), etc. I had no idea. I'd wager that most don't. It's not something taught to most of us - since our training hours are "better spent" focusing on our basic branch/functional area. The infantry and armor schools have made a big step towards building better officers with the advent of the Maneuver CCC - getting to see sides of the major maneuver fights that they hadn't previously been exposed to (the same way logisticians are being cross-trained as multi-functionals). This sort of education shouldn't stop there only to be revisited at some senior staff school. So, in my opinion, step 1 is improving conventional leader's understanding about SOF capabilities, abilities, and roles - as a force multiplier, not "us and them" - through education and training events.

Step 2 I think will more or less take care of itself, as young leaders have been working/fighting with SOF forces for the last few years in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know my understanding of SF was greatly expanded during my 1st tour and my friend had a very similar experience recently with MARSOC. As we "grow up" and assume positions of greater responsibility, we'll have a functional understanding of what SOF could bring to the table (albeit a limited view that needs to be bolstered by further education) and be less hestitant to request SOF assistance or listen to their suggestions for "fighting" our AO. This will also lessen the "us vs them" stigma since we've worked with them and conversed with them. It really was an eye-opener.

Anywho, that's my 2 cents. It's a good article. Thanks for the post.