Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueboy
I respectfully disagree. From a Combatant Commanders perspective (the 'end user' of Special Forces), it makes little sense to maintain a force structure as large as ours that does not possess a full-spectrum capability. And while I agree that the Regiment should continue to emphasize UW as its core mission, we risk irrelevancy if it becomes our sole focus. When the balloon goes up and a TSOC Cdr needs SF to do 'x' that does not involve indigenous forces, we cannot opt out because it's not in our self-prescribed wheelhouse.
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I understand what you are saying about working for a Combatant Commander, TSOC or even a USEMB. But being SF, as Peregrino pointed out, you have to be that chameleon or that military term Gumby. Being able to change between our military facets (CT, FID, COIN, SR, DA, & UW) to meet those Commanders or Leaders "NEEDS." Yet the way we talk to them is very different based of those "NEEDS," YOu talk to a Batt Cmdr different from a General or from a Conventional Line Commander to a DoS or USEMB "worker." Knowing your Operational Environment is what makes us different, and knowing how to play with people or talk to them is what makes us different. Just being that DA knuckle Dragger doesn't always go over well. I've seen it and being SF and know how to use elicitation style techniques works wonders. Most Conventional Company and Above Commanders know what our capabilities are, and how or what full-spectrum capabilities we can bring to warfare. But being that SF Tm Sgt or ODA Commander, and being able to talk around the needs and bring your ODA's full-spectrum capability and not just focusing on your ODA's Great DA/FID Skills is what matters.
IMO most Conventional Army Military Leaders, MOST LEADERS, they can full Mentor and develop their Troops to be great leaders. No knowing how to lead, knowing how to employ the full-spectrum capability of an ODA and how to plan and train for it. How can you really talk about it to a Combatant Commander? Guys fall back onto what they know. For me that is our problem both in SF and Conventional Army Leaders at all levels today. Their inability to be real leaders.