Integration of Special Operations Forces Into the Joint Targeting Process

Presently, evidence shows that Special Operations Forces may not be fully utilized in the joint targeting process. I believe that Special Operations Forces can be employed in new and improved ways in order to better facilitate the Joint Force Commander's fight. I obtained information to support my position by using a Delphi Study to solicit the aid of experts on the joint targeting process to supply information concerning how Special Operations Forces are being presently utilized and opinions on how these forces could be better utilized by the Joint Forces Commander. The Delphi Study involves selecting experts from the field and from military academic institutions to form two panels. They were asked to formulate with prompts how they felt Special Operations Forces are presently being utilized and how they should be utilized by the Joint Forces Commander. A Likert style scale was used to determine consensus on each of the responses. Based on these responses, analysis and conclusions were formed to determine how Special Operations Forces should be more effectively utilized in new and improved ways to facilitate the Joint Forces Commander's fight. The evidence supports the conclusion that Special Operations Forces should be integrated at every phase of the joint targeting process in very specific as well as general ways. Technological and political changes are taking place today that require that the United States Army be prepared to fight in every conceivable environment and under any conceivable conditions and restraints. Recent events in Afghanistan and Iraq testify to the fact that Special Operations Force, with the proper integration into and the support of the joint targeting process, are truly indispensable on the battlefield as well as before and after the conflict.