Reform of Command and Control Structure in NATO Special Operations Forces

The current NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) capability is an ad hoc force which does not provide a synchronized, integrated Special Operations response capability to the alliance. There is no standing NATO SOF combat force or Command and Control architecture to frame the transformation effort. NATO has declared its intentions to transform from a static collective alliance for the defense of the common members, to an expeditionary force capable of responding to the needs of a growing global security concern. The central research question is: Does NATO require a standing Special Operations Force command and control structure and combat capability to meet the emerging global security requirements of the Alliance? This research revealed that a more robust and interoperable SOF capability is both advocated and supported amongst member states. The comparison of recommended structure reforms produced consensus only in the function of improved SOF and not in the form of that innovation. Interviews with subject matter experts within the NATO SOF community revealed support for a standing command and control structure but not to a standing NATO SOF combat force. This research supports the current NATO SOF transformation initiative with the addition of growth to an inner core and wider network standing force.