Marl< R. Whitaker
Essay #3 American Milftary Univers ty
Student # 1030189 NS515 Special Operations and NationalPolicy
Dr. Wray Johnson

"Why do Special Operations Succeed?"

According to the case studies presented in author William S.McRaven's book: Spec Ops Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Pracuce, specialoperations forces (SOF) succeed because they allshare common elements that when implemented properly result in the success of the SOF mission and consequently when neglected oras the result of inadequate preparat onthe resultis the failure of meet the objectives mission,loss of life, destruct on of resources and overall mission degradat on. According to the author's case studies of eight historical missions,those missions that adhered to the six principles (simplicity.security,repetit on, surprise,speed.purpose) of special operations succeeded.Those that did not,while somewhat successful, fellvictim to consequences resultingin loss oflife,material and primary mission objectives. The proper planning,preparation and execut onof certain missions (POW rescue at Cabanatuan & Israeli Raid at Entebbe) resulted inex1raordinary results inlarge part to the adherence to the principles outlined in the Special

Operations Model (McRaven fig. 1-2.). Excellent planning,through preparation and flawless execution of the missionare the common elements of successful special operations actions as wellas achievement of surpr se,security, the inclusion of simplicity and purpose.speed towards the goal of relative superiority.

It is this theory of relative superiority that McRaven defines as the crucial goal for specialoperations. Simply put,it is a condition that exists when an attacking force,generally smaller.gains a decisive advantage over alarger or well­ defended enemy. It is a condition that cannot exist without adherence to the six principles McRaven outlines in chapter one of the text and it must also be stated that certain missions and objectives are not attainable bylarge. conventional forces and in fact circumstances put suchforces at a distinct disadvantage and also proves it to be a necessity of as part of the miltary structure.
The US Ranger raid on Cabanatuan is anexample of success with some apprehension by the author.While the mission was specialin nature,McRaven points out that the 6th Ranger Battalion was not specially trained.equipped or prepared for this type of mission. Regardless,other principles in the special operations model. when executed properly can compensate for the missing elements during the mission. The rangers certainy had purpose.surprise and speed, all of which led them to achieve relat ve superiority and success. Risk was held at a minimum duo to the fact that the Japanese were more concerned about holding off the 6th Army than 128 rangers rescuing 512 POWs. The plan was simple and with other factors compensating for thelack of repetitionand specialized training,the rangers were able to rescue all 512 prisoners with only limited (2 rangers) casualties. McRaven acknowledges that this case study is a departure from his standard definit on of a specialoperat on,but never theless is an excellenlexample of why specialoperations succeed and also comments on

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the addit onal element of personalcommitment to the mission by unit members as a funct on of purpose.
Operation Jonathan:theIsraeliraid to free 254 hostages on a hjacked Air France flight at anairport locatedin Entebbe,Uganda the best example of how the principles of specialoperations can be used to ensure relative superiority and mission success according to McRaven. During the planning stage,the Israelis limited the objectives and applied technology with innovationto outline a simple plan to free the hostages. Preparation was not overlooked as the unit conducted severalfull-scale rehearsals prior to a completely flawless execution of the plan. Within four minutes Israelispecialforces commandos had eliminated the four terrorists that were an immediate threat to the hostages. Speed and surprise had allowed the Israeliunit to land at the airport undetected,move through the terrorists four lines of defenses and take the objective. McRaven considers this case study to be the best example of the theory of specialoperations in that a relat vely small force using a simple,wellthought out and rehearsed plan, executed the missionwith speed,surprise and purpose overtaking the enemy and achieving the objective.
In both examples the specialforces units adhered directly orindirectly to the principle of spec al operations with some elements compensating for others in the case of the US rescue of POWs at Cabanatuan. It is McRaven's theory that for missions suited to smaller, specially trained and equipped units adherence to the modelof specialoperat ons and its six principles greatly

increases the potentialfor achieving relalive superiority and illustrates why specialoperations missions succeed.

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