Anna M. Gielas, PhD
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this work are entirely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, United States Special Operations Command, or the Joint Special Operations University.
This work was cleared for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rapid advancements in neurotechnology, including brain- computer interfaces, could revolutionize cognitive and physical enhancements for Special Operations Forces. These technologies aim to amplify operator strengths, enhance mission capabilities, and redefine the future of warfare through precise, adaptive, and deniable operations. Source: Author- supplied Canva stock image
Rapid technological advancements are revolutionizing human augmentation, making cognitive and physical enhancements for military personnel not only feasible but also a priority for global superpowers such as the United States and China. As technology advances and global competition intensifies, military scholars explore ways to enhance U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) through emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). However, current debates on cognitive and physical enhancement tend to focus on mitigating perceived operator limitations, rather than exploring the full potential of both the human and the technologies.
Instead of merely compensating for weaknesses, enhancement technologies should be leveraged to amplify operator strengths. BCI technologies offer the potential to harness operators’ inherent resources, such as tacit knowledge, and unlock latent human capabilities while reinforcing the SOF ethos that humans are more important than hardware. Additionally, to fully realize the technological potential, it is important to distinguish between enhancing the operator and augmenting the mission —two closely interrelated yet distinct goals that demand tailored strategies. This dual focus is explored through a series of practical examples, illustrating the transformative and nuanced applications of emerging BCI technologies. Ultimately, these capabilities could enable more precise, adaptive, and deniable special operations within the evolving context of strategic competition and integrated deterrence.
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