On March 6, 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Brister (USAF) delivered a talk on US Special Operations. This talk, sponsored by the Nunn School’s Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy (CISTP), was attended by a cross-section of the Georgia Tech campus, as well as members of the Atlanta area community. Nunn School Assistant Professor Jarrod Hayes provided introductory remarks.

Brister provided an overview on the mission and organizational structure of US Special Operations Forces (SOF). He discussed how armed forces personnel are selected for these elite units, how operators are trained, and the place of SOF in American military strategy. Brister also touched on a range of other issues, such as the Global War on Terror and the inclusion of women in SOF commands.

Lieutenant Colonel Brister currently serves as the Commander, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.  In this role, he commands a 224 airman-strong squadron comprised of Combat Control, Pararescue, Special Operations Weather, Tactical Air Control Party, and specialized Combat Mission support personnel. Lt. Col Brister also has multiple combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism.  In addition, he holds a PhD in Strategic Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.