Research Summaries

Back Optimizing USMC Security Force Assistance (SFA) in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia

Fiscal Year 2015
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Borer, Douglas A.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary Examining prior illustrations of SF A can help policymakers understand the long-term effects of security force assistance (SFA) activities. Current US strategic guidance has articulated a strategic rebalance to Asia to recognize future power trajectories in the region. It is a fact that burgeoning great powers (Chinn and India) will continue to rise and directly exert their interests regionally. These rising regional interests may clash with those of the United States and its key allies (Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand). This study posits that ongoing military-to-military engagement with the Republic of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia will be instrumental to maintaining US influence in the region. To improve future USMC Security Force Assistance efforts in the region it is critical to examine prior bilateral military assistance activities with these countries (whether by the United States or other countries). This study will focus on the history of security force assistance activities in these countries (e.g. training assistance and the transfer of doctrinal practices) from the colonial periods to the present to identify how these activities influence political behavior in the studied countries. Additionally, systematically examining SF A over time will also aid in identifying best practices and areas for correction.
Keywords Strategic Landpower Initiative Security Force Assistance Doctrine Tactical Practices Influence Republic of the Philippines Malaysia Indonesia
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal