SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF HUNGARY: IS A TRANSFORMATION .
SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF HUNGARY:IS A TRANSFORMATION NECESSARY?A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. ArmyCommand and General Staff College in partialfulfillment of the requirements for thedegreeMASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCEGeneral StudiesbySZABOLCS PECSVARADY, MAJ, INFANTRYB.S., Zrínyi Miklós National Defense University, Szolnok, Hungary, 1997Fort Leavenworth, Kansas2010-02Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGEPublic reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing datasources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any otheraspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate forInformation Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstandingany other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB controlnumber. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)2. REPORT TYPE3. DATES COVERED (From - To)10-12-2010Master’s ThesisFEB 2009 – DEC 20104. TITLE AND SUBTITLE5a. CONTRACT NUMBERSpecial Operations Forces of Hungary:Is a Transformation Necessary?5b. GRANT NUMBER5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER6. AUTHOR(S)5d. PROJECT NUMBERMAJ Szabolcs Pecsvarady5e. TASK NUMBER5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)8. PERFORMING ORG REPORTNUMBERU.S. Army Command and General Staff CollegeATTN: ATZL-SWD-GDFort Leavenworth, KS 66027-23019. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’SACRONYM(S)11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORTNUMBER(S)12. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES14. ABSTRACTOfficially, Hungary started to develop its special operations capability in 2005. The Hungarian DefenseForces, however, already had units which were special operations capable, while the newly formed“34th Special Operations Battalion” does not have a comprehensive special operations capability. Theunits belong to various chains of command, their efforts and training are not coordinated sufficiently.Unclear or misunderstood definitions of “special operations,” “special forces” and “special operationsforces” carry the risk of misusing the existing capabilities, and may seriously hinder the effective futureestablishment effort. The research shows the current state of the existing special operations capableunits of the Hungarian Defense Forces. The primary question which the thesis tries to answer is,whether Hungary should invest more in the (ongoing) establishment process, to obtain more effectiveand comprehensive special operations forces. For this, the author examines the identified (possible)tasks of Hungarian SOF, and compares the existing units and capabilities to the United States ArmySpecial Operations Forces. Based on this comparison, the author tries to reveal possible capability gaps,and in the last two chapters provides solutions and recommendations for future development ofHungarian Special Operations Forces.15. SUBJECT TERMSHungary, Hungarian Defense Forces, Hungarian Special Operations Forces16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF:a. REPORTb. ABSTRACTc. THIS PAGE(U)(U)(U)17. LIMITATIONOF ABSTRACT18. NUMBEROF PAGES(U)11919a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON19b. PHONE NUMBER (include area code)Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98)Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18ii
MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCETHESIS APPROVAL PAGEName of Candidate: MAJ Szabolcs PecsvaradyThesis Title: Special Operations Forces of Hungary. Is a Transformation Necessary?Approved by:, Thesis Committee ChairLTC Loye W. Gau, M.A., MemberJoseph R. Fischer, Ph.D., MemberLTC Zoltan KrompecherAccepted this 10th day of December 2010 by:, Director, Graduate Degree ProgramsRobert F. Baumann, Ph.D.The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do notnecessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College orany other governmental agency. (References to this study should include the foregoingstatement.)iii
ABSTRACTSPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF HUNGARY: IS A TRANSFORMATIONNECESSARY? by MAJ Szabolcs Pecsvarady, 119 pages.Officially, Hungary started to develop its special operations capability in 2005. The HungarianDefense Forces, however, already had units which were special operations capable, while thenewly formed “34th Special Operations Battalion” does not have a comprehensive specialoperations capability. The units belong to various chains of command, their efforts and trainingare not coordinated sufficiently. Unclear or misunderstood definitions of “special operations,”“special forces” and “special operations forces” carry the risk of misusing the existingcapabilities, and may seriously hinder the effective future establishment effort. The researchshows the current state of the existing special operations capable units of the Hungarian DefenseForces. The primary question which the thesis tries to answer is, whether Hungary should investmore in the (ongoing) establishment process, to obtain more effective and comprehensive specialoperations forces. For this, the author examines the identified (possible) tasks of Hungarian SOF,and compares the existing units and capabilities to the United States Army Special OperationsForces. Based on this comparison, the author tries to reveal possible capability gaps, and in thelast two chapters provides solutions and recommendations for future development of HungarianSpecial Operations Forces.iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe author is really grateful for the help of his thesis committee. Their guidance,observations, and patience were truly helpful during the writing of this paper. The help ofthe instructors of CGSC class 2010-02, staff group 3D was also indispensable, and theknowledge the author gained during the classes was truly helpful and applicable duringthe research.Thanks to those Hungarian friends and colleagues of the author who supported theresearch with their insights, information, and observations. Special thanks for thecommitment of the members of the 25/88th Light Mixed Battalion, the 34th BercsényiLászló Special Operations Battalion, and the Joint Forces Command of the HungarianDefense Forces. Their support was really helpful during the research, and surely theireffort is crucial to keep the cause of Hungarian special operations forces alive. Finally,deepest gratitude to my family for their incitement, resilience, and patience during theyear, which from time to time helped me to continue working.v
TABLE OF CONTENTSPageMASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE THESIS APPROVAL PAGE . iiiABSTRACT. ivACKNOWLEDGMENTS .vTABLE OF CONTENTS . viACRONYMS . viiiILLUSTRATIONS . ixTABLES .xCHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .1The Hungarian Army from the 1980s . 3The Organization of the Hungarian Defense Forces Today . 6The New Threats and the National Military Strategy . 7Existing Problems . 11What Now? . 16CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW .20United States Literature . 20Hungarian Literature . 27CHAPTER 3 POSSIBLE TASKS AND MISSIONS OF HUNSOF .32Legal Aspects of the Employment of Military Force . 33Specified Tasks of HUNSOF . 33Misuse of HUNSOF. 37Conclusion . 40CHAPTER 4 EXISTING SOC UNITS .41United States Army Special Operations Command . 41Hungarian Special Operation Forces . 45The 34th Bercsényi László Special Forces Battalion. 47The Founding and the Tasks .48Organization.50Training and Selection .52Recent Deployments .55vi
The 25/88th Light Mixed Battalion . 56The History of the Battalion .56The Tasks of the Battalion .57The Organization of the Battalion.59Training and Selection .63The Recent Missions .66The 5/24th Bornemisza Gergely Reconnaissance Battalion . 66The History of the Battalion .66The Tasks of the Battalion .67Organization.67Training and Selection .67The Recent Deployments .68The Peace Support Training Centre . 69The International Special Forces Qualification Course - ISFQC .70The Special Operations Workgroup of the JFC . 71“Rohamlövész” Special Infantry Course . 73Task and Purpose of the RL Course .74History of the RL Course .75Curriculum .76Trainers and Trainees .77So, What Do We Have? . 79CHAPTER 5 METHOD OF ESTABLISHMENT .81Lines of Effort . 81Personnel, Leadership and Organization . 86Doctrine, Training and Education . 91Back to the First Line of Effort . 95Facilities and Materiel . 99CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSION.102GLOSSARY .105BIBLIOGRAPHY .106INITIAL DISTRIBUTION LIST .109vii
ACRONYMSARSOFArmy Special Operations ForcesHDFHungarian Defense ForcesHUNHungaryHUNSOFHungarian Special Operations ForcesJFCJoint Forces CommandSFSpecial ForcesSOSpecial OperationsSOCSpecial Operations CapableSOFSpecial Operations ForcesUSASOFUnited States Army Special Operations Forcesviii
ILLUSTRATIONSPageFigure 1. Deployments of the 25/88th LMB .14Figure 2. ARSOF Organization .45Figure 3. Components of special operations capability .47Figure 4. 34th BLSFB SOT team structure .52Figure 5. 34th BLSFB training cycle .55Figure 6. 25/88 LMB Organization .61Figure 7. 25/88 LMB Combat Subunits .62Figure 8. Possible lines of efforts .82ix
TABLESPageTable 1.Possible tasks of HUNSOF .36x
CHAPTER 1INTRODUCTIONIn 2005 the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Hungary issued Order 22,which is the Founding Order of the 34th Bercsényi László Special Operations Battalion.Many responsible political and military decision makers--and the majority of the public-think that Hungary officially established the special operations capability of theHungarian Defense Forces (HDF). This is not exactly true however.First, the designation of the 34th battalion is inaccurate. Its tasks and structuredesignate it as an equivalent of a US Army Special Operation Forces (ARSOF) SpecialForces Battalion. This means, that the 34th battalion owns the most important segment ofspecial operations tasks, but is definitely not able to cover the whole possible spectrum ofspecial operations. 1Second, back in 1993, the Minister of Defense established another organization,the 88th Air Mobile Battalion. According to its Founding Order, the unit has to be readyto conduct special operations, which other conventional military forces may not be able toconduct. The unit has similar tasks and structure to the US Army 75th Ranger Regiment.In reality, today it represents probably the least understood capability within the HDF.Third, the definition of “Special Operations Forces” (SOF) 2 is misunderstoodeven by a large group of responsible decision-makers: necessary supporting elements,and key “enablers” like comprehensive doctrines and manuals, consistent selection, and1For the definition of Special Operations see Glossary.2For the definition of Special Operations Forces see Glossary.1
additional licenses are still missing. Without these, the employment of special operationscapabilities and forces is not really effective.The acquisition of new capabilities happens within the framework of a greater,comprehensive transformation process of the HDF, which started almost twenty yearsago. The establishment of special operations capability is just one aspect of thistransformation, but definitely an important one. Surely, it is not easy to create somethingthat has no extensive, traditional past in the HDF. This may give an excuse for the currentdeficiencies, but it definitely does not give a waiver to correct a not fully functioningsystem or organization.The primary question this research tries to answer is whether Hungary should putmore effort into the development of the HDF’s special operations forces. For this, theauthor examines the current issues regarding the--as an entity so far non-existing-Hungarian Special Operations Forces (HUNSOF), and shows evidences of the abovementioned statements. It will compare the existing Hungarian units, organizations, andtheir anticipated missions to that of ARSOF. Assuming that ARSOF has effective andcomprehensive special operations forces and capabilities, any significant andunjustifiable difference between the existing Hungarian and American organizations willshow a capability gap, which the HDF should eliminate through some reform orreorganization. Based on these identified capability gaps, the second part of the paperwill show a possible method of the future transformation of HUNSOF. If (withoutdetailed financial calculations) the proposed transformation is acceptable within the limitsof available resources of the HDF, the paper will be able to answer the above mentioned2
primary question. To begin, because of its distinctiveness from the US Army, the paperstarts with the introduction of the HDF and its recent transformation.The Hungarian Army from the 1980sMany Eastern-European countries had to change their militaries significantlyduring the 1990s. First, because of the political changes arising from the collapse of theSoviet Union. This caused a huge change in their armies’ structure and in respectivedoctrines. A visible result was the decrease in the strength of the armed forces. This wasnot only because of the disappearance of the former Cold War Western Threat, butbecause of the decreased budget, which the small, now politically and militarilyindependent countries had to face.The Hungarian Army (Hungarian Defense Forces-HDF) started its transformationin the late 1980s, and decreased its strength from 100,000 to about 24,000. Parallel tothis, HDF started to develop new capabilities. Needless to say, these two proceduresinterfered with each other.Special operations forces--by the definition used in this paper--did not exist inHungary during the Cold War. James D. Kiras introduced the category of the “speciallydesignated unit,” which is probably the most appropriate definition in the case ofHungary. According to his definition, “specially designated units” are conventional unitswhich should have conducted missions similar to the mission
Thanks to those Hungarian friends and colleagues of the author who supported the research with their insights, information, and observations. Special thanks for the commitment of the members of the 25/88th Light Mixed Battalion, the 34th Bercsényi László Special Operations Battalion, and the Joint Forces Command of the Hungarian Defense Forces.
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2 FORCES 3 SEC. 2. INCREASE IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AS-4 SIGNED TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND. 5 By the end of fiscal year 2014, the number of special 6 operations forces in the Armed Forces shall be increased 7 by 50,000, which represents a 50-percent increase over the 8 number of special operations forces in effect on September 9 30, 2004.
JSOTF Joint Special Operations Task Force JTF Joint Task Force LNO Liaison Officer NSW Naval Special Warfare OCF Other Coalition Force OEF Operation Enduring Freedom OGA Other Government Agency OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom PSYOP Psychological Operations SF Special Forces SFLE Special Forces Liaison Element SFODA Special Forces Operational .
Section concludes with some remarks on decentralization in Hungary and Slovakia in the8 context of EU accession. Section 1. The Decentralization Process in Hungary Hungary was one of the first transition country, with Poland, to reform its intergovernmental system. In 1990 it enacted a fundamental law establishing local governments
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a Theater Special Operations Command North to exercise command and control of special operations forces conducting operations in the USNORTHCOM AOR. 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 111 14. SUBJECT TERMS Special Operations Forces (SOF), Homeland Security (HLS), Homeland Defense (HLD), US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), Command and Control (C2), Joint Task
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