Special Forces Doctrine for Counternarcotics Operations

You are here: Homepage > Search

Special Forces Doctrine for Counternarcotics Operations

J. P. Realini

This monograph addresses the suitability of Special forces doctrine for their primary wartime missions of special reconnaissance, direct action, and foreign internal defense when considered for application in counternarcotics operations. A significant part of the military contribution to war on drugs is being provided by U.S. Army Special Forces. The study first analyzes the national drug control strategy to derive what the tactical counternarcotics missions for Special Forces could be. The missions are related in terms of the primary wartime mission described by current U. S. Army doctrine for Special Forces operations. The Army counternarcotics plan is analyzed to determine the constraints and restraints imposed on the mission by public laws and DoD resources. The capabilities for each mission are analyzed and then compared to an application in counternarcotics operations. The analysis of each mission evaluates how each mission recognizes political and diplomatic sensitivities, facilitates interagency activities in an affected country, and balances 'security of operations' with the operational tenet of synchronization. The study concludes that: (1) the doctrine for each mission is suitable when applied to counternarcotics operations only if law enforcement is not the purpose for interdiction; (2) each mission can accomplish the tasks required for counternarcotics operations, except when called upon to perform law enforcement duties; and (3) the application of Special Forces in a foreign internal defense mission is most suitable for defeating drug trafficking when it is viewed as an insurgency.