Strike the term 'surrogate from UW doctrine.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)

The unfortunate proliferation of the term "surrogate" in our unconventional warfare, or UW, doctrine is a good illustration of what can come of the thoughtless and unrestrained use of a popular buzzword.

In current UW doctrine and dialogue, the term surrogate has come to be used interchangeably with the terms "guerrilla" or "irregular," so much so that some speakers seem to believe the terms are synonymous. They are not; they have quite different meanings. We in Special Forces have long understood the importance of building rapport and avoiding an ethnocentric view of other cultures, and of other population groups and their problems. I can think of no more ethnocentric and demeaning way of referring to our irregular partners than by calling them surrogates. Used in this context, the word has an unmistakable "U.S. puppet" ring to it.

The implication, of course, is that these irregular forces are fighting our wars for us, precluding the need to deploy larger numbers of U.S. forces. Participation in coalition efforts by our conventional international partners also precludes the additional deployment of U.S. forces, but we would never get away with referring to our coalition partners as surrogates. We should apply the same degree of correctness when referring to our irregular partners, rather than belittling their role and relationship by calling them surrogates.

The only true surrogate fighter is a paid mercenary, and that is not what UW is about. UW ...