Casting Light on the Shadows: Canadian Perspectives on Special Operations Forces

by Bernd Horn (Editor), Tony Balasevicius (Editor)

Overview

Special Operations Forces (SOF) have never been an integral element of Canada's military capability. Although units have existed periodically throughout the country's history, they have always been in the shadows. However, the terrorist attack in the United States on September 11, 2001, changed that. In the aftermath of 9/11, SOF became the force of choice. Casting Light on the Shadows consists of a series of essays on SOF-related issues written by individuals with specialized knowledge and expertise in the field. As well as providing a solid foundation for SOF theory, historical background, and evolution, the book also highlights ongoing developments in SOF.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781550026948
Publisher:	Dundurn Press
Publication date:	02/28/2007
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Colonel Bernd Horn is an experienced infantry officer and is currently the director of the Canadian Forces Leadership Institute. Dr. Horn is also an adjunct professor of history at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Major Tony Balasevicius is an experienced infantry officer who is currently on staff in the Department of Applied Military Science at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Table of Contents

Foreword   Colonel David Barr     9
Acknowledgements     11
Introduction   Bernd Horn   Tony Balasevicius     13
Theoretical Foundation to Understanding Special Operations Forces
Special Operations Forces: Uncloaking an Enigma   Bernd Horn     19
Finding the Riglat Stuff: Special Operations Forces Selection   Tony Balasevicius     37
Understanding Excellence: Training Special Operations Forces   Tony Balasevicius     59
Thinking Outside the Box: Understanding SOF Leadership   Tony Balasevicius     87
When Cultures Collide: The Conventional Military/SOF Chasm   Bernd Horn     115
When the Guns Stop: Leveraging SOF for Post-Conflict Success   Bernd Horn     147
Historical Context
"Avenging Angels": The Ascent of SOF as the Force of Choice in the New Security Environment   Bernd Horn     157
Who Has Seen the Wind? A Historical Overview of Canadian Special Operations   Sean M. Maloney     181
Seamless Black? Observations on the Canadian SOF Experience   Michael A. Hennessy     199
Special Operations Forces: Relevant, Ready, and Precise   Jamie W. Hammond     209
The Way Ahead for Canadian Special Operations Forces
Putting a Square Pegin a Round Hole: Finding a Special Forces Capability for the Canadian Army   Tony Balasevicius     237
The Evolving Requirements of the Canadian Special Operations Forces: A Future Concept Paper   J. Paul de B. Taillon     261
Canadian Special Operations Forces: A Blueprint for the Future   Bernard J. Brister     285
Afterword   Bernd Horn   Tony Balasevicius     301
Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations     309
Contributors     313
Index     317