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The key to this work's success is that it cuts through the mayhem, and "seat-of-their-pants" view that most people have of special operations, and breaks them down using simple, constant analysis. First McRaven considers the overall mission: Was it worth the risk? Was it executed according to plan, and if not why? What could have been done better? He then goes on to identify six key components of any special operation: Simplicity, Security, Repetition, Surprise, Speed and Purpose. He correctly points out that weakness in any one of these areas can be compensated for, to a degree, by strength in the others, but they all must be present to some degree.
Finally he considers the most critical aspect of any special operation; Did/can the attacking force achieve and maintain relative superiority over the enemy? I say critical because by definition the special forces will never have absolute superiority, it is only in their ability to temporarily achieve superiority that they can have any hope of success. McRaven, observes that failure to achieve relative superiority must inevitably result in a failure to achieve objectives at the minimum, and disaster at the worst.
By analyzing eight classic special operations, McRaven proves the merits of his theory time and again. Over the course of fifty years and a host of political environments, he illustrates the overarching validity of his arguments. In so doing he has provided both the special warrior, and the military historian alike with a powerful, valuable tool.