Naval postgraduate school monterey, california thesis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
 
 
I would like to thank the faculty and staff of the Defense Analysis Department for 
their time and efforts invested in professionally developing the officers of the U.S. 
Armed Forces, specifically those of us from the special operations community. In 
particular, I would like to say thanks to Frank Giordano, General, U.S. Army, retired, for 
rekindling my interest and insights in the field of mathematics; your mentorship and 
charisma are an example for us to follow. To Dr. Gordon McCormick, the Department 
Chairman, for teaching me how to think deeply about issues, and Peter Gustaitis, 
Colonel, U.S. Army, retired, for his strategic guidance, insights, and inspiration 
throughout the thesis process. Without their help and expertise, this work would never 
have come to fruition.
Special thanks to the Military Group at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru; their 
support during my visits was unprecedented. To Luis (“Lucho”) Giampietri, Peruvian 
Navy, Vice Admiral, retired, and his beautiful family, for reliving and sharing their 
experiences during those terrible 126 days of captivity in Lima, Peru. Without their first 
hand accounts and candid comments, this work would be incomplete. My deepest 
respect and gratitude also go to the members of the Peruvian Special Forces for their 
hospitality and their relentless work in the fight against terrorism within their borders. 
To all the members of the U.S. military, specifically those of the U.S. Special 
Operations Forces fighting the War on Terrorism—you are the real heroes of the world.
Others can only dream of “feeling the magic”. To Adam C. Kocheran, Captain, U.S. 
Army, killed in the line of duty on 23 January 2003, only three weeks after replacing me 
as Sniper-Observer Detachment Commander. You are dearly missed and will always be 
in my thoughts. 
Finally, I would like to thank my family for their support and patience through the 
countless hours I spent away from them working on this project. To my son Diego—my 
guiding light—thanks for waiting on me to play while I was on the computer or at the 
library; you are my complete inspiration in everything I do. This is for you. 

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