Comparative Analysis of the Army Special Operations Forces Support Structure to the Infantry Division (Light) Support Structure.

摘要

The problem examined in this thesis is whether the current structure for the command and control of combat service support for Army special operations forces (ARSOF) is adequate for all ARSOF support units. This thesis is focused on the internal sustainment of ARSOF during contingency operations. The objective of this thesis is to conduct a comparative analysis of three alternative ARSOF support command and control structures to the support structure for the infantry division (light) to determine if the current ARSOF support command and control structure can be improved. The three ARSOF alternatives are: (1) the current ARSOF support organization, (2) the proposal by the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School and the U.S. Army Infantry Center to create a special operations support unit and a ranger support battalion, and (3) the author's proposal to create a special operations support command (SOSCOM). The analysis is based on the following measures of effectiveness (MOEs) for an efficient planning support structure: (1) tooth-to-tail ratio, (2) the number of support planning nodes/channels, (3) the proximity of support planning nodes to each other, and (4) the number of organic and nonorganic support units.