Papers due March 1, 2027. CLICK HERE to submit.

As JSOU continues to transform in support of U.S. Special Operations Command priorities, its Academic Year (AY) 27 Call for Special Operations Papers focus is on modern warfare. Topic categories and questions were informed by recent USSOCOM Commander’s Decision Round Table meetings, the Special Operations Research Topics Academic Year 2027 Addendum, and discussions with representatives from the Center for Doctrine and Lessons Learned and JSOU senior leadership. 

NEW this year: Select topics may be written up to the SECRET level, submissions will be judged by topic category, and max word count (not including notes) is 3,500. 

Winning authors in each category will be recognized during SOF Week 2027 in Tampa, Florida

CATEGORY 1 (WIN): Targeting

The Role of SOF in Dynamic Targeting Networks (up to SECRET)

SOF play a critical role within dynamic targeting networks. Operating forward in contested and denied environments, SOF provide unique capabilities as sensors, intelligence collectors, target developers, decision enablers, and strike coordinators across the joint force. This paper should examine SOF’s ability to rapidly identify, validate, and track targets while integrating with conventional forces, partner nations, and emerging technologies and demonstrate SOF’s role as a key contributor to decision advantage.

Suggested paper questions:

1.   What unique capabilities and advantages does SOF bring to the joint find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess (F2T2EA) cycle, and how

can SOF maximize its contribution to deliberate and dynamic targeting in contested environments?
2.   How can SOF develop resilient decentralized command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (C5ISRT) architectures that enable sensing, targeting, and decision-making when communications and networks are denied, degraded, intermittent, or disrupted?
3.   How can SOF balance the increasing power, connectivity, and signature requirements of advanced technologies with the need for
low-signature, self-sustaining operations in anti-access/anti-denial (A2/AD) environments?
4.   How should SOF integrate with and influence joint all-domain targeting networks to accelerate the transition from sensing to
decision and action?

1.   How can joint SOF task forces best operationalize the integration of space, cyberspace, and electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) capabilities at the tactical edge to achieve decision advantage against peer adversaries?
2.   How can SOF adapt its operational approaches across all core activities to effectively increase allied and partner defense burden-sharing in support of mutual security objectives?
3.   How can SOF integrate with conventional maritime, air, land, and cyber forces?
4.   What unique risks and opportunities does the SIF concept create for SOF, and what must change in SOF force design, training, education,
authorities, and sustainment to make the concept viable?

SOF have traditionally recruited experienced personnel from conventional military units, but evolving missions, recruiting challenges, and demand for specialized skills have increased interest in direct-accession programs from civilian populations. This paper should examine the advantages, disadvantages, risks, and strategic implications of "from the street" versus "from the fleet" recruiting models, including the effects on operational effectiveness, readiness, retention, culture, leadership development, and long-term force sustainability.

Suggested paper questions:

1.   How can the SOF enterprise recruit, develop, and retain personnel with the specialized technical expertise required to
rapidly integrate, operate, and maintain transformative technologies in denied environments?
2.   As SOF prioritizes the new competencies required for globally integrated, multi-domain joint force operations, what traditional
training and education requirements or legacy skill sets should be de-prioritized or divested to optimize the force generation pipeline and
preserve unit readiness?
3.   How do different recruiting models affect attrition rates during selection and training and what lessons can be drawn from U.S. Army
Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders, Air Force Special Warfare, and allied SOF organizations?
4.   What attributes—not merely skills—will the future SOF operator require, and how should SOF selection, education, training, and career
development evolve to develop them?

Rapid advances in AI, autonomous systems, machine learning, robotics, and human-machine teaming are transforming the character of warfare. From autonomous aerial and maritime systems to AI-enabled decision support and targeting, emerging technologies are changing how military forces sense, decide, and act across the battlespace. This paper should examine how SOF use autonomous capabilities and opportunities to enhance persistence, survivability, precision, and operational reach while reducing risk to personnel in contested environments. 

Suggested paper questions:

1. How can SOF better leverage AI/machine learning, quantum computing, and autonomous systems in tactical, operational,

strategic, and contested environments?
2.   How can autonomous systems support stand-in forces, distributed operations, and joint warfighting concept objectives?
3.   What lessons from current conflicts inform the future employment of autonomous systems?
4.   How will SOF adjust its training and education to ensure its operators exploit technology rather than depend on it? How can we ensure
human agility is enhanced by, rather than reliant on, technological superiority?
5.   How can unconventional warfare models be adapted and applied to the modern battlefield.   

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Must correspond to one of the approved topic categories

Max word count: 3,500 (excluding notes)

Follows Chicago Manual of Style 18 (including endnotes)

Visit www.jsou.edu/press/PublishwithJSOU for guidance and to see a sample paper.