Article
Professionalizing Special Operations Forces
Parameters
(2022)
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The special operations community could best address the perceived ethical crisis it faces by professionalizing as an institution. While earlier assessments have attributed special operations forces’ ethical issues to a focus on mission accomplishment that led to a broken force generation process and a high operations tempo, such diagnoses obscure a more comprehensive solution. Using sociologist Andrew Abbott’s work on professions as a framework, this article explores the benefits of building the kinds of institutions that can claim a jurisdiction, develop and certify expert knowledge, and establish and apply a code of ethics that addresses special operations unique concerns so that it builds trust and better serves the American people.
Keywords
- special operations,
- professional studies,
- professional expertise,
- professional jurisdictions,
- civil-military relations,
- military ethics
Disciplines
Publication Date
August 25, 2022
Citation Information
C. Anthony Pfaff. "Professionalizing Special Operations Forces" Parameters Vol. 52 Iss. 3 (2022) ISSN: 0031-1723 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/c-pfaff/48/