Supersoldiers or Rulebreakers? Unpacking the Mind-Set of Special Operations Forces

• Author: Anja Dalgaard-Nielsen,Kirstine Falster Holm
• Date: 01 October 2019
• Published date: 01 October 2019
• DOI: 10.1177/0095327X18755109
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Supersoldiers or

Rulebreakers? Unpacking

the Mind-Set of Special

Operations Forces

Anja Dalgaard-Nielsen

1

and Kirstine Falster Holm

1

Abstract

Special Operations Forces (SOFs) are increasingly central in national defense

postures worldwide. The term “SOF mind-set” encapsulates the current political

enthusiasm but is rarely explicitly defined or systematically studied. Based on a lit-

erature review, this article suggests a conceptual model of SOF’s mind-set, which is

refined via a Danish case study. It discusses when and where this mind-set compli-

cates collaboration with the wider military organizational environment and how SOF

could navigate potential fault lines. By systematically unpacking SOF’s mind-set, the

article aims to add nuance to polarized conceptions and stereotypes.

Keywords

Special Operations Forces, mind-set, Denmark, characteristics, collaboration,

organization, conceptual model, forced choice experiment

As policy makers grabble with an apparently ever more complex and diverse land-

scape of threats, Special Operations Forces (SOFs) have enjoyed increasing

popularity. Widely regarded as more versatile and easier to deploy than conventional

forces, SOF has emerged as the preferred option for tackling missions ranging from

hostage rescue operations to military diplomacy in fluid, complex, and risky envir-

onments (see Finlan, 2008, p. 111; King, 2009, p. 662; Marsh, Kiras, & Blocksome,

1

Royal Danish Defence College, Ryvangs Alle

´1, København Ø, Denmark

Corresponding Author:

Anja Dalgaard-Nielsen, Royal Danish Defence College, Ryvangs Alle

´1, DK-2100 København Ø, Denmark.

Email: andn@fak.dk

Armed Forces & Society

2019, Vol. 45(4) 591-611

ªThe Author(s) 2018

Article reuse guidelines:

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DOI: 10.1177/0095327X18755109

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2015, p. 1). As pointed out by Johnsen and Christensen (2016), the term “SOF mind-

set” has become a catch all term that encapsulates current enthusiasm and the notion

that SOF has special qualities in terms of adaptability, risk tolerance, and dedication

to mission success—themes also mirrored in popular culture, depicting larger than

life soldiers who conduct improbable raids and rescues (p. 110). SOF’s image within

conventional military establishments is less flattering, often centering on features

like elitism and arrogance (see Finlan, 2008, p. 4; Kiras, 2006, p. 6; Simons, 1997,

p. 34; Tucker & Lamb, 2007, p. 48).

Interestingly, despite the growing role of SOF in national defense postures world-

wide, there has been little independent and systematic research on SOF’s mind-set,

whichcould help defuse such polarizedconceptions andadd nuance to the discussionof

whatan SOF mind-set is. With thisarticle, we aim to beginto fill the gap. Our purposeis

twofold: First,to leverage a literature reviewand a Danish case study to unpackSOF’s

mind-set and suggest a conceptual model that can serve as a point of departure for

furtherresearch. Second, toexplore aspects of SOF’smind-set, which couldcomplicate

collaborationwith the conventional establishment and suggest possible solutions.

The article is based on a review of existing primary source–based studies that

throw light on SOFs mind-set and on a Danish case, explored via semistructured

interviews and a rigorous elicitation technique—forced choice experiments (FCEs).

1

Respondents included (1) badged

2

SOF personnel; (2) instructors at the Royal

Danish Defence College (RDDC) who have taught, mentored, and advised students

with an SOF background; and (3) nonbadged staff with the Danish Special

Operations Command (DNK SOCOM). These data permitted us to map and to

compare an internal perspective with informed external perspectives and thereby

to move beyond myths and polarized stereotypes of SOF.

Despite its limited size, Danish SOF has deployed repeatedly in the years fol-

lowing September 11, 2001, and has been elevated organizationally via the creation

of a dedicated Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The Danish case was cho-

sen as it offered the opportunity to explore a general challenge facing Western SOF:

To collaborate at all levels, at home and abroad, with the wider conventional estab-

lishment, while preserving the special qualities that make SOF a valuable addition to

the rest of a nation’s military capabilities.

Below, we first survey existing primary source–based studies that provide

insights on SOF’s mind-set. We introduce the Danish case and discuss our metho-

dology with a particular focus on data validity. We then present, analyze, and discuss

our findings, in particular findings of relevancy to the ability of SOF to collaborate

with the wider military organizational environment. The final section concludes and

suggests topics for future research.

Defining Mind-Set

In the specialized literature on SOF, an SOF mind-set appears to refer broadly to an

extraordinary commitment to mission success by means of some combination of

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