The Resistance Operating Concept (ROC)

Russia’s 2008 war against Georgia served as a precursor to its future mischief in Europe. This revanchist action coupled with other indicators sparked a renewed interest in unconventional warfare and resistance operations in Europe. In July 2013, SOCEUR established a small project team to develop a resistance knowledge network of institutions, subject matter experts, academics and practitioners. The primary objective was to study UW and resistance via seminars and workshops to create a foundation of intellectual interoperability on the subject. The concept foresaw a series of increasingly advanced sessions that would ultimately emplace resistance operations as an integral component of national defense for allies vulnerable to hostile neighbors, primarily the Baltic States and Poland. The resistance workshop series would also shape plans, exercises and training in this area. A secondary objective was to revive UW and resistance as a core SOF task after many years of atrophy due to direct action-centric problem sets involving the War on Terror. The first Resistance Workshop occurred in Warsaw, Poland in January 2014. While the launch event had good attendance from the Baltics and Poland, and provided initial lessons-learned, wider NATO interest was low. Russia’s subsequent February 2014 annexation of Crimea significantly changed this level of interest and future participation.