A senior enlisted leader argues that modern special operators must balance combat skills with intellectual development to adapt to shifting global conflicts.

A U.S. Army Special Operations soldier argues that the military must move beyond a narrow focus on 'lethality' by prioritizing intellectual and strategic education for enlisted personnel. The author contends that while combat skills remain essential, modern operators require a deeper understanding of policy, history, and theory to navigate complex future conflicts. This shift is presented as necessary to move past the counterterrorism-focused mission sets that dominated the last two decades.

The Need for Intellectual Realignment

The author, an infantryman with nearly 20 years of service, identifies a cultural divide where formal education is often viewed as the domain of officers, while 'grunt work' is relegated to the enlisted. He argues this distinction is an artificial and harmful construct that limits operational effectiveness. By mastering topics like regional policy and escalation management, enlisted leaders can better apply their expertise to achieve a commander's intent.

Shifting from Counterterrorism Focus

The Global War on Terror, triggered by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, led to a heavy reliance on special operations forces for counterterrorism and direct action missions. This resulted in mission creep and an unhealthy convergence between special operations and conventional forces. A 2020 U.S. Special Operations Command review acknowledged that this intense focus on mission accomplishment contributed to the degradation of leader development and overall readiness.