General Bryan P. Fenton, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and Command Sergeant Major Shane Shorter discuss the evolution and future of Special Operations Forces. They highlight how storytelling enhances military education and strategic planning. The guests delve into the impact of emerging technologies, including cyber and space, on future special operations. Additionally, they explore historical shifts in SOF from World War II to present-day conflicts and the necessity for adaptability in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
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Eagle Claw Reimagined
The Fourth Age anthology anchors future SOF stories in real missions, like a reimagined Eagle Claw.
This approach connects historical context with future possibilities.
insights INSIGHT
Story's Power
Storytelling is deeply ingrained in human cognition.
Applying fiction to real-world problems like SOCOM's future offers valuable human-centric perspectives.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Vietnam Veterans' Wisdom
CSM Shorter learned from Vietnam veterans who used stories, not PowerPoints or lectures.
Stories resonate deeply, especially with enlisted personnel, making them effective teaching tools.
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Burn In, co-authored by P.W. Singer and August Cole, is a near-future thriller that explores the societal and security implications of advanced artificial intelligence. The story follows an FBI agent and her robot partner as they investigate a growing threat linked to widespread job displacement caused by AI. The novel delves into the complexities of human-machine interaction, the potential for social unrest, and the challenges of maintaining national security in a rapidly changing technological landscape. It offers a compelling narrative while highlighting real-world concerns about AI's impact on society and the workforce. The book serves as a cautionary tale and a thought-provoking exploration of the future.
Ghost Fleet
A Novel of the Next World War
August Cole
P.W. Singer
Rich Orlow
In this 2015 techno-thriller, P.W. Singer and August Cole explore a future war scenario where a post-communist China, aided by Russia, attacks the United States in the Pacific, leading to the occupation of the Hawaiian Islands. The novel highlights the reactivation of the US Navy's antiquated 'Ghost Fleet' and the rise of an insurgency by US military personnel and civilians against the Chinese occupiers. The story incorporates various advanced technologies such as electromagnetic railguns, swarm UAVs, and space-based weaponry, and includes over 400 endnotes to support its technological and geopolitical themes.
Episode 124 explores the evolution and future of Special Operations Forces (SOF) through the lens of "The Fourth Age," a work of fictional intelligence examining future SOF capabilities and missions. Our guests discuss how SOF has evolved through distinct eras since World War II and examine how emerging technologies and domains will shape special operations in the 2030s and beyond.
Our guests begin by exploring the utility of storytelling and "useful fiction" in military education and planning. They then examine the historical development of SOF through three distinct ages, from its OSS origins through the Cold War and Global War on Terror. Finally, they discuss how SOF is evolving to meet future challenges through the integration of space, cyber, and emerging technologies while maintaining its core human element.
General Bryan P. Fenton is the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. He has previously commanded at every level from Detachment Command in 7th Special Forces Group through commanding Joint Special Operations Command. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has served on active duty for over 37 years.
Command Sergeant Major Shane Shorter is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. Special Operations Command. He enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 1988 and joined special forces in 1992. He spent much of his career in 1st Special Forces Group and recently served as senior enlisted leader for Special Operations Command Pacific, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and the Joint Special Operations University.
August Cole is an author exploring the future of conflict through fiction and fictional intelligence storytelling. With P.W. Singer, he is the co-author of the bestseller "Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War" and "Burn In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution." He is a co-founder and managing partner at Useful Fiction, focusing on defense and security.
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