Developing Security Forces Officers for the Future Operating Environment

In response to today's dynamic nonlinear operating environment, the United States Air Force Security Forces is executing a dramatic transformation of its Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities. These revisions aim to produce a capabilities-based and combat-focused force, with the capacity to actively defend and enable airpower in all operational environments, against all potential adversaries. This vital adjustment, however, has not entailed a significant revision in how the force sustains and develops mid-level officers, a necessary precursor to realizing the force's transformational objectives. To that end, this thesis will first define the character and nature of the security challenges facing the United States in the future operating environment. Then, it will identify the threats that these security challenges pose to airpower. Subsequently, it will define the desired effects (capabilities) that Field Grade Security Forces Officers must possess to defeat these predicted threats. Thereafter, it will comparatively analyze the officer development processes of certain foreign Air Base Defense forces and sister services. Finally, with an understanding of the areas of convergence amongst these various elements, it will discern and recommend a holistic officer development process, complete with the changes in organizational structure that will sustain this program, to ensure the unmitigated security of airpower.