This edited volume contains winning and high-scoring submissions from JSOU's Academic Year 2025 Call for Special Operations program, an inaugural effort with modest expectations. Proving that the SOF enterprise remains engaged in public dialogue and invested in academic scholarship, papers were submitted from operators, enablers, educators, students, and scholars representing a true cross-section of the SOF community. 

Topics align with USSOCOM's priorities of PEOPLE, WIN, and TRANSFORM and provide thoughtful research, innovative insights, and creative solutions. 

The AY2026 Call for Special Operations Papers efforts is underway. Submissions are due by February 23, 2026. Learn more. 

Additional authors: John F. Cabra, Jordan Alexander, Michael Clark, Brian Gould, and Anthony Lawson; Major Christopher Higgins; Dr. Jaime "Jay" Macias; Joseph A. Pastorek; Major William A. Carpenter; John A. Kirbow; Major Ronald J. Lienhardt; Dr. Virginia Massignan, Dr. Carol Kay Winkler, Dr. Ayse D. Lokmanoglu, and Sonny S. Patel; Captain Agung Dwi Pratama; Lieutenant Commander Jordan A. Spector; Commander Karlie Blake, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Zannis, and Major Shawn Gutierrez; and J. Brian Pruitt.