Cost Benefit Analysis of MARSOC Marines in the Naval Postgraduate School Department of Defense Analysis

Abstract

Abstract : The United States Marine Corps does not have a specific professional military education program for Special Forces. Furthermore, it does not send any of its officers or NCOs to the Naval Postgraduate School to attain a Master's Degree in Defense Analysis. Studies completed in sister services have shown this program to be invaluable to its future staff officers. This project will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the United States Marine Corps sending Marine Special Forces Officers through a dedicated training pipeline, and more specifically the Naval Postgraduate School Defense Analysis Programs (Irregular Warfare, Information Operations, Terrorist Operations and Financing). This thesis will aid the Marine Corps in determining the costs and benefits (with dollar amount) of sending its officers through the Naval Postgraduate School's DA Program.