What Makes Warfare Irregular? | We speak with Mr./Lt. Col. Doug Livermore on Irregular Warfare
Pineland Underground
Navigating Irregular Warfare and Special Operations
This chapter explores the distinctions and interrelations between irregular warfare, special operations, and special forces, emphasizing the need for a cohesive understanding among military and civilian agencies. It discusses the challenges posed by shifting military priorities from counter-terrorism to strategic competition, particularly regarding the roles of the Department of Defense and the State Department. The conversation highlights the evolution of irregular warfare concepts and the critical importance of building partnerships to effectively address modern global threats.
Did you know the entire Joint Force engages in Irregular Warfare? Often defined differently depending on the individual or organization you speak to, we have Doug Livermore on to help define and discuss Irregular Warfare, the nature of conflict, and how our named adversaries also apply it across the globe. Listen in to learn how Irregular Warfare is not only a job for Special Operations.
About the guest:
Doug Livermore formerly served as the Director of Special Operations, Irregular Warfare, Special Programs, and Sensitive Activities for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy. He is also a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard serving as the Deputy Commander of Special Operations Detachment – X. Previously, Doug served as a sensitive activities advisor to both the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
Multiple international affairs and security studies journals have distributed Doug’s works, including many publications in War on the Rocks, Small Wars Journal, and the Military Times. Doug is the National Director for External Communications for the Special Forces Association and is also the Director of Communications with West Point’s Irregular Warfare Initiative. Additionally, he is on the Board of Directors for both No One Left Behind and the Special Operations Association of America where he has been instrumental in the ongoing evacuation and resettlement of Afghan interpreters and their families.
Doug earned his undergraduate degree in Military History at West Point, his graduate degree in International Security Affairs from Georgetown University; he excelled in the Army Command and General Staff Officer Course.
About the hosts:
Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.
Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.
From the episode:
To read more about Irregular Warfare, visit the following websites and articles:
https://irregularwarfarecenter.org/
Did you know Congress authorized the development of the Irregular Warfare Center?
Here's the Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy:
The Joint Definition of Irregular Warfare:
https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/concepts/joc_iw_v2.pdf?ver=2017-12-28-162021-510
The definition has been discussed by many:
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/redefining-irregular-warfare-legitimacy-coercion-and-power/
Pirates vs. Privateers:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/privateers-in-the-american-revolution.htm
The Peninsular War:
https://www.britannica.com/event/Peninsular-War
Korean War White Tigers:
https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/potomac-books/9781574886054/
Doug's article It’s Time for Special Operations to Dump ‘Unconventional Warfare’:
https://warontherocks.com/2017/10/its-time-for-special-operations-to-dump-unconventional-warfare/
National Security Presidential Memorandum - 3: Presidential Memorandum Plan to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
The instruments of national power (aka, DIME):
China's Three Warfares:
https://warontherocks.com/2018/01/chinas-three-warfares-perspective/
Russia's Six Phases of New Generation Warfare:
Iran's military doctrine:
https://www.mei.edu/publications/upgrading-irans-military-doctrine-offensive-forward-defense
Security Cooperation:
https://www.dsca.mil/foreign-customer-guide/security-cooperation-overview
National Guard State Partnership Program:
Recommended reading from the episode:
Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare:
https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Ungentlemanly-Warfare-Churchills-Warriors/dp/1681443929
Wild Bill Donnovan:
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Bill-Donovan-Spymaster-Espionage-ebook/dp/B003UV8TF4?ref_=ast_author_mpb
White Tigers:
https://www.amazon.com/White-Tigers-Secret-North-Memories-ebook/dp/B01HFUS53G?ref_=ast_author_mpb
The Secret War Against Hanoi:
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-War-Against-Hanoi-Saboteurs/dp/0060932538/ref=sr_1_1?
Special Forces Berlin:
Army Special Operations Recruiting:
https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html
GoArmySOF Site:
https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/
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