Author Description

Each year, the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) partners with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association in sponsoring an annual essay contest. This year's first place winner is U.S. Air Force Major Jared Harris, with "Daydreams of an Operational Planner: Reimagining the Counterterrorism Task Force." In second place is U.S. Army Major Tim Ball, with "Bringing the Alliance Back to SOF: The Role of NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare." This collection also includes four high-quality, original works from other professional military education (PME) students. These essays provide current insights on what our PME students see as priority national security issues affecting special operations, and add value to the individuals' professional development, provide an outlet for expressing new ideas and points of view, and contribute to the special operations community as a whole. JSOU is pleased to offer this selection of the top essays from the 2016 contest.