Nonviolent Resistance and Expanding the Unconventional Warfare (UW) Toolkit
“Nonviolent Resistance and Expanding the Unconventional Warfare (UW) Toolkit“
Speaker: Doherty, T. (US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)); McBride, R. (USASOC)
Date: 6 May 2019
Speaker Session Preview
SMA hosted a speaker session presented by MAJ Thomas Doherty (US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)) and MAJ Robert McBride (USASOC) as a part of its SMA NDU Speaker Series. MAJ McBride began by emphasizing the importance of expanding strategic options, especially in this era of great power competition. MAJ Doherty then defined countergovernance and identified its two types: negative governance and competing governance. He also compared countergovernance to unconventional warfare (UW). Next, the speakers explained that Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) are often challenged by scenarios in which traditional methods of UW prove to be ill-suited. In these cases, ARSOF must find ways to achieve the same ends of UW, yet limit escalation to more effectively conduct a mission. One way in which this can be done is through the use of strategic nonviolence (SNV). The speakers defined SNV and explained the theory behind it, highlighting its underlying assumption—”consent” theory of power—and its strategic, operational, and tactical focuses. These SNV movements have historically proven to succeed in disrupting, coercing, or overthrowing regimes across all continents and among a variety of cultures. MAJ McBride and MAJ Doherty then provided a series of historical case studies that demonstrated how nonviolent tactics were applied and how nonviolent movements achieved political gains while avoiding escalation. The tactics examined were: 1) protest and persuasion, 2) nonviolent noncooperation, and 3) nonviolent intervention. The speakers also identified the ways in which ARSOF may be suited to support this method of resistance. To conclude, MAJ Doherty and MAJ McBride provided a series of recommendations for further study and the practical implementation of SNV tactics, both in training and in operation.
MAJ Robert C. (Bobby) McBride
Major Robert C. McBride is an Aviation Officer with 11 years of Special Operations Forces (SOF) experience. Commissioned from the University of Notre Dame in 2004, his first assignment was with the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where he deployed to Islamabad, Pakistan, and Taji, Iraq. Following his Iraq deployment, he assessed for and was selected into the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), serving with 4-160th SOAR (Abn) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. There, he completed two company commands and culminated his tour as Battalion Executive Officer.
MAJ McBride is rated in the CH-47D and MH-47G Chinook and has deployed over a dozen times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom (OEF), Resolute Support Mission/Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (RSM/OFS), and operations in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. He has supported joint SOF missions across surgical strike and special warfare sets. His current professional focus is on influencing adversary behavior in the competition space while avoiding escalation. He holds a Master of Science in Adult and Occupational Education from Kansas State University.
MAJ Thomas W. Doherty
Major Thomas W. Doherty holds a Master of Arts in Military History and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management. His military service spans enlisted and officer roles in both the National Guard and active-duty Army. Initially commissioned through the Arkansas National Guard Officer Candidate School, he was later re-commissioned via direct commission.
MAJ Doherty’s diverse career includes service in aviation, medical, infantry, and SOF fields. His enlisted assignments included the Massachusetts and Arkansas National Guards, the 3rd Ranger Battalion, and the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). As a commissioned officer, he has served as Platoon Leader for both anti-armor and long-range surveillance units, Observer/Controller-Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Military Freefall ODA Commander, ARSOF Captain’s Career Course Instructor Team Lead, and in various staff roles. He has deployed to Colombia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Tajikistan, Botswana, and Germany. He currently serves as a Special Forces officer.
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