Institutionalizing Security Force Assistance

This monograph examines the role that Security Force Assistance plays in the development and execution of US foreign policy. It looks at the manner in which security assistance guidance is developed and executed. An examination of national level policy and the guidance from senior military and civilian leaders highlights the important role of Security Force Assistance. Further inquiry into the execution of Security Force Assistance reveals a discrepancy between what is necessary and what is available. With 243,000 Soldiers deployed or forward stationed in 76 countries worldwide a way to reduce the gap is to build capabilities and capacities of allies and partners. The uniqueness of the United States and the topic hindered the use of actual case studies in this monograph, however where suitable, references and linkages to other examples of Security Force Assistance are provided. The expected generational length of the Long War, the transformation of the US Army into a future force and the desire to empower allies, partners and friends necessitate a change in the way the US Army conducts Security Force Assistance. The US Army requires an institutionalized capability to conduct Security Force Assistance beyond Special Forces and Transition Teams (TTs) in Afghanistan and Iraq.