Frank K. Sobchak ’92 released “Training For Victory: U.S. Special Forces Advisory Operations From El Salvador To Afghanistan.” According to Sobchak, despite untold sacrifices, the security force assistance efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq failed catastrophically. Nevertheless, among those failures were pockets of success. 

The Iraqi Special Operations Forces held back the Islamic State in 2014 long enough to allow American forces to flow back into Iraq, and Afghan Commando units fought to the bitter end as their country disintegrated around them. What made those units successful? “Training for Victory” explores five case studies where U.S. Special Forces advisors produced effective partners. Examining these cases for best practices provides insight to make this critical mission work.