The purpose of the study is to test the theory of Colin S. Grays theory on special operations and his Categories of Conditions for Success. The research design is a case study on Operation Neptune’s Spear with a qualitative text analysis. The operation took place after the theory was published. US forces consisted of operators from Seal Team Six called DEVGRU and CIA personnel who did a raid on bin Ladens compound in Abbottabad Pakistan.
Grays’s theory states that there are eleven categories of conditions which will determine the outcome of a special operation. This study will try to understand how Gray’s theory can explain the outcome of Operation Neptune’s Spear.
The result of this case study concludes that Gray’s theory could help explain the outcome and success of Operation Neptune’s Spear since seven out of eleven categories were present. However, the remaining categories had some indicators present as well. This study strengthens Gray’s theory on special operations.