2023 Military Writers’ Symposium

“Train & Fight to Win: An Exploration of Global Special Operations Forces”

Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a crucial role in modern military operations, making them of paramount importance. These highly trained and skilled units are designed to operate in unconventional warfare scenarios, where adaptability, and agility are critical. Special operations forces possess a unique set of capabilities that allow them to conduct missions with extraordinary precision, such as counterterrorism, hostage rescue, intelligence gathering, and unconventional warfare. Their expertise in small-unit tactics, specialized equipment, and cross-cultural awareness makes them invaluable assets in combating asymmetric and hybrid threats to overcome and win. By operating in high-risk environments and executing missions that require extreme precision and discretion, special operations forces serve as a force multiplier and a potent deterrent against both state and non-state actors. Their contributions often remain unseen and unrecognized in the public domain, but their impact on national security and global stability cannot be overstated.

About the Symposium

This renowned two-day event will feature former operators and some of the world’s leading military writers, including 2023 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Award winner Charles E. Stanley Jr. for his book, Lost Airmen: The Epic Rescue of WWII U.S. Bomber Crews Stranded Behind Enemy Lines.