General Of The Army Douglas Macarthur: Considerations For Modern Joint Force Commanders
Abstract
This study evaluates current US military joint doctrine specific to Joint Force Commanders through historical analysis of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur during his tenure as the Supreme Commander of Southwest Pacific Area forces in World War II from 1942-1945. Modern joint doctrine evolved into its current form following failures in the Vietnam War and several smaller operations of the late 1970s and early 1980s, resulting in adoption of the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act. As a product of limited warfare experience and forced reorganization, joint doctrine remains untested in the crucible of great power conflict a potentially critical vulnerability in an age of rising military powers, including China and Russia. This study utilizes the experiences of General MacArthur, specifically his command of World War II joint forces, to examine joint doctrines efficacy in a great power conflict with the purpose of gleaning lessons, considerations, and recommendations for future Joint Force Commanders and developers of joint doctrine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1055473
Entities
People
- Brett J. Cassidy
Organizations
- School of Advanced Air and Space Studies