In February 2013, more than 125 Special Operations Forces SOF personnel from Canada, the United States, and eight other countries gathered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, for a two-day symposium on the Role of the Global SOF Network in a Resource Constrained Environment. This was the third symposium in a series held by the Joint Special Operations University and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Professional Development Centre. The event featured a mix of individual presentations, panel discussions, and social interaction to introduce issues, engage in productive discussions, and strengthen SOF network relationships. The focus ranged from the tactical to the strategic with senior civilian and military leadership from both Canada and the U.S. assuming active, contributing roles. This report offers insights and suggestions on how to deliver operational success while accommodating both changing mission sets and resource constrained environments.

"November 2013"--Cover.

Introduction -- 1. A strategic perspective on the global SOF network : little money, unclear ends, and big ideas -- 2. Interoperability : benefits and challenges -- 3. Solving the people puzzle : educating and training SOF operators for enhanced cultural intelligence -- 4. Matching the footprint of governance to the footprint of sovereignty -- 5. Private military corporations as members of the global SOF network : worth another look? -- 6. Private military corporations : a view from inside -- 7. General themes and thoughts.