Naval Special Warfare's Contribution to Global Joint Operations in Support of Sea Power 21, the United States Navy's Vision for the Twenty-First Centu

This study examines naval special warfare's (NSW) contribution to global joint operations in support of Sea Power 21, the US Navy's transformational vision for the twenty-first century. The analysis addresses how NSW's recent force transformation has improved its war-fighting functions and allows for traditional and emerging missions to be integrated within the context of Sea Power 21. As the framework for analysis, this study also examines NSW's history, missions, and role in maritime special operations as it applies to today's contemporary operating environment. The study concludes that NSW must continue to take advantage of the US Navy's commitment to support joint warfare, to include special operations. Sea Power 21 enables NSW to capitalize on naval war-fighting capabilities and thus enhance its ability to introduce combat power, move to and strike quickly in a crisis area, and effectively shape the battle space. To maintain the most capable war-fighting forces, NSW must continue to develop future mission needs statements based on tomorrow's enemy and operating environment, continuing to commit monetary resources to the research, development, and acquisition of the next generation of personnel, equipment, and surface and subsurface combatant craft.