Notable Figure: Frank Sobchak
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Frank Sobchak: A Pioneer in Irregular Warfare Studies
Col. (Ret.) Frank Sobchak, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces colonel, is a renowned expert in irregular warfare and advisory operations. His extensive career spans over two decades, marked by significant contributions to the understanding of special operations forces and their role in complex, long-term missions.
Sobchak's academic background is impressive, with a BS in military history from West Point, a MA in Arab studies from Georgetown University, and a PhD in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. This scholarly foundation, combined with his practical experience, has equipped him to delve deeply into the intricacies of military history, particularly in the context of irregular and special operations warfare.
Sobchak's expertise has been showcased in various prestigious publications, including Newsweek, Time, The Wall Street Journal, the Jerusalem Post, Defense One, The Hill, and the Small Wars Journal. He is also a frequent contributor to television, radio, and print interviews, discussing topics such as Middle East security matters, defense reform, technology impact on intelligence, civil-military relations, and special operations forces.
One of Sobchak's most notable achievements is leading an Army effort to publish an official history of the Iraq War, a project that spanned five years. This endeavour resulted in the publication of the 1,500-page two-volume set, The U.S. Army in the Iraq War. The project involved the declassification of over 30,000 pages of documents and several hundred interviews.
Throughout his military career, Sobchak served in various Special Forces assignments and was involved in combat in Iraq. He also participated in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. In his final assignments, he held garrison commands and represented US Special Operations Command as a congressional liaison.
In addition to his work at West Point's Modern War Institute, Sobchak has taught at the Joint Special Operations University, Tufts University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently the Chair of Irregular Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute.
In conclusion, Col. (Ret.) Frank Sobchak is a respected figure in the field of irregular warfare and advisory operations. His work focuses on understanding the challenges and effectiveness of building partner forces, particularly in irregular war contexts. His affiliation with West Point’s Modern War Institute solidifies his position as a scholar in these areas.
- Col. (Ret.) Frank Sobchak's scholarly background includes a PhD in international relations, which he earned from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and his expertise extends to the intricacies of military history, particularly in irregular and special operations warfare.
- Sobchak has contributed insights on various topics related to military affairs, politics, and general news, such as Middle East security matters, defense reform, technology impact on intelligence, and special operations forces, in prestigious publications like Newsweek, Time, and Defense One.
- As a teacher, Sobchak has shared his knowledge at renowned educational institutions, including West Point’s Modern War Institute, the Joint Special Operations University, Tufts University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Sobchak led an Army effort to publish an official history of the Iraq War, titled "The U.S. Army in the Iraq War," which required the declassification of over 30,000 pages of documents and several hundred interviews.
- Throughout his military career, Sobchak was involved in various Special Forces assignments, combat in Iraq, and peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, and he also held garrison commands and represented US Special Operations Command as a congressional liaison.
