Security Cooperation in Support of Theater Strategy

PHOTO: ADM James G. Stavridis, commander, NATO Supreme Allied Command (far right); LTG John M. Paxton, Jr., commander, Marine Forces Europe (second from the right); and LTG Mark P. Hertling, commander, U.S. Army Europe (second from the left), receive an overview of the Stryker vehicle’s capabilities during the Combatant Commander’s Conference, 22 August 2012. T EXECUTION OF SECURITY COOPERATION in the service component commands around the globe is an evolving process that occurs in many forms and utilizes a myriad of methods. Requests for assistance for security forces also come in many forms. They may be country or country-team-nominated; they may be at the request of an international organization (e.g., UN, NATO) or subregional organization (e.g., European Union, African Union); they may be directed by Office of the Secretary of Defense, service headquarters, or geographic combatant commands; or they could be requested by a sister service component. However, the huge number of events, the variety of outside actors with separate agendas, and the difficulty in linking these actions and activities to strategy create a challenging environment in which to execute a coherent plan. The problem for the strategist is to synergize or fashion these efforts and players through a process that supports the commander’s’ goals and objectives.