Understanding training, transformation and warfare

As the JFK Special Warfare Center and School works to meet the challenges of Army transformation and to support the Global War on Terrorism, we must remember that our number-one priority is training Soldiers for war--that is non-negotiable.

We must never underestimate the enemy when preparing our Soldiers for war. We face a formidable opponent who uses up-to-date technology, is highly mobile, is very selective in his recruiting efforts, is flexible and adaptive, and has shared beliefs and values. We must clearly understand that the enemy is patient and that he can and will use any means necessary to attack United States forces, interests, allies or coalition partners. The enemy will employ a variety of tactics, including military operations, economic strategies, Internet chat rooms, news articles, radio and television broadcasts, and diplomatic pressure. Discontented groups, such as al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, will make any sacrifice in pursuit of their goal, which is to take away or destroy our freedom, our ideals, our way of life and our nation.

The threat we face on today's battlefield compels us to make changes immediately. Throughout its history, the JFK Special Warfare Center and School has adapted its training methodology many times to defeat our nation's enemies. SWCS must continue to change rapidly, incorporating new ideas and lessons learned into training that will empower the Soldiers we train to win the Global War on Terrorism. We need cadre members who are adaptive, who understand and support our transformation initiatives, who can keep pace with technology and who are aware of the changing battlefield. Our training in tactics, techniques and procedures must adapt quickly to remain relevant to our changing enemy. I charge everyone assigned to SWCS to continue to look at the way our Soldiers will fight, both now and in the future, and to execute change. If SWCS cannot adapt as quickly as special-operations forces change the way they fight on the battlefield, we may become irrelevant. We must work now to find innovative solutions; we cannot be held back because we fear leaving our comfort zone regarding the way we train Soldiers. We cannot take a "time out" or use peacetime processes for change--we are at war! Veritas et Libertas!

Command Sergeant Major Dave M. Bruner is the command sergeant major for the JFK Special Warfare Center and School.

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