Special operations command in 2011 when a team of navy seals killed the alqaida leader. I was struck by a recent article on the retirement of adm. Mcraven theory of special operations, page 16 mcraven s thesis went on to analyze eight historical cases where a failure to adhere to one or more of these principles were missing in the. William mcraven, which highlighted six common principles he identified as essential for success with special operations. Navy retired served with great distinction in the navy. William mcraven s spec ops case studies in special operations warfare. In spec ops, mcraven outlines the principles of successful special operations simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed and purpose. In spec ops, a wellorganized and deeply researched study, mcraven analyzes eight classic special operations. Navy admiral who directed the raid that killed osama bin laden, has been chosen to give the 2020 commencement speech. In a may edition exclusive to am, admiral william h.
Special operations command, gave a commencement address last week that. This thesis presents eight historical cases and demonstrates how certain principles of special. These principles are simplicity, security, repetition, speed, purpose and. Navy admiral who directed the raid that killed osama bin laden, has been chosen to give the 2020 commencement speech at the. Most examples are from wwii, two from vietnam, one the israeli raid to rescue hostages from entebbe, uganda. Limiting the number of objectives, good intel, and innovation technologically security. Recently, mcraven gave a speech at west point about the top lessons of his 36year military career.
Mcravens relative superiority six principles navy reads. Mcraven, a retired navy admiral, is a former commander of the united states special operations command and former chancellor of the university of texas system. Admiral mcravens theory of special operations applied to. Opinion our republic is under attack from the president. Examples of how each principal was used in a real mission are given as well as how the failure to implement any one or more of the principles resulted in failure. In the books first half, mcraven describes his early life.
Special operations command commanders reading list for 2014. The book is a collection of case studies of special operations conducted by various internation militaries from the german attack on ebem emael in 1940 to the israeli raid on entebbe in 1976. William mcraven s book spec ops stands alone in the realm of military books as the only basic textbook for special forces operations. Special ops and the future of american warfare, by linda. Mcraven provides six principles of special operations. As a fourstar admiral, his final assignment was as commander of all u. He is now chancellor of the university of texas system.
Military hero mcraven chosen to give mit commencement. Mcraven helped to devise the strategy for how to bring down osama bin laden, and commanded the courageous u. Fifteen years before that operation mcraven wrote spec ops. Prevent the enemy from gaining an advantage through foreknowledge.
Navy seal teampinpoints six essential principles of spec ops success. Our republic is under attack from the president opinion our republic is under attack from the president if president trump doesnt demonstrate the leadership that america needs, then it is time for a new person in the oval office. The other two, speed and repetition, are especially critical for achieving success in the challenging and unforgiving circumstances of special operations. Vice admiral william mcraven, in his book specops describes six key elements that make such missions successful. Hes also the kind of leader who took the time to reply to a 6yearold boy who sent him a letter asking if a navy seal is quieter than a ninja. Theory and practice 9780891416005 by mcraven, william h. I will consider here the main principles from mcravens theory of special operations, and consider how they apply to startups striving to gain. Special operations command, texas exes life member, and distinguished alumnus. All but two of these are already codified in the nine principles of war. Retired admiral mcraven has no regrets over criticizing trump. Mcraven helped to devise the strategy for how to bring down. In this wellorganized and deeply researched study, mcraven pinpoints six essential principles of spec ops success.
Case studies in special operations warfare theory and practice new edition by mcraven, admiral william h. Special operations command in 2011 when a team of navy seals killed the alqaida leader in pakistan, the ap notes. Principles and considerations page 5 there is a need for a theory of special operations to guide the application of sf to strategic ends beyond the ad hoc, immediate, and creative mind of the military planner implementing strategy. In his thirtyseven years as a navy seal, he commanded at every level. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read spec ops. This thesis develops a theory that explains why special operations succeed. Mcraven outlines general principles for special operations and uses these principles to evaluate eight case studies. This is an inspiring and powerful 20minute commencement speech by naval admiral william h.
In spec ops, mcraven outlines the principles of successful special operations simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed and purpose and unpacks eight famous missions, including the 1976 israeli rescue of hostages from ugandas entebbe airport. My life in special operations says all quiet on the western front is the one book that best captures the nature of a soldier. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Navy admiral and former chancellor of the university of texas system, has been selected to deliver mits 2020 commencement address. Case studies in special operations warfare, theory and practice presidio press. Jcsp 40 pcemi 40 exercise solo flight exercice solo flight. Admiral mcravens theory of special operations applied to startups. Special operations command, at the universitywide commencement at the university of texas at austin on may 17, 2014. Special operations command who recently announced he will step down this year as chancellor of the university of texas system, kicked off the airman heritage. Bill mcraven, commander of a team of seals, the navys elite special operations force, is an expert on the subject of special operations. His theory of special operations, based on the six principles, can achieve relative superiority in combat.
Mcraven offers a theory of special operations which he readily admits, scopes special operations to a much narrower category that more closely matches the special operation. Character and leadership are inseparable qualities, former. For each of the case studies, he provides political and military context, a meticulous reconstruction of the mission itself and an analysis of the operation in relation to. He achieved a pinnacle as a special operations warrior as commander of the united states special operations command in august 8, 2011. Navy admiral, follows his selfhelp guide, make your bed, in which he shared principles for success learned during his more than 30 years as a navy seal, with this collection of fascinating stories from his time as commander of the special operations forces. University of texas at austin 2014 commencement address.
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