The Necessity for the Military Assistance Command--Vietnam Studies and Observations Group

The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam--Studies and Observations Group was created in 1963 as the result of President John F. Kennedys strong desire to conduct an unconventional war against the communist regime in North Vietnam. First tasked to the Central Intelligence Agency, the mission was assigned to the Department of Defense in 1962 once it was realized that the CIA did not possess the resources or the desire to conduct covert, paramilitary activities. Throughout its eight-year existence, SOG executed a variety of missions focusing on psychological warfare, maritime interdiction, reconnaissance patrols, and personnel recovery missions. This study examines the strategic and operational necessity for which MACVSOG was required. The research explores what exactly was MACVSOG It then answers, did the political environment of the 1950s and 1960s contribute to not only the necessity for but also the lack of effectiveness of MACVSOG Finally, the research explores if MACVSOG is a model for modern day, covert paramilitary operations The scope of the research is from 1946 to 1964 it is during these years in which numerous actions by the nations political, military, and intelligence apparatus contributed to the necessity for MACVSOG.