A Critical Analysis of Operational Contract Support Policy for Theater Posture Planning
Abstract
Overseas posture is a fundamental enabler of DOD activities and military operations and the U.S. is largely dependent on commercial alternatives to military power to establish and sustain it. Commercial capabilities provide flexible options to combatant commanders to achieve strategic posture objectives by off-setting military force reductions, promoting readiness, enabling operational access, cultivating strategic partnerships in the international system, and expanding the competitive space to provide freedom of maneuver, provided they are properly integrated into strategic planning dialogues. However, current Operational Contract Support policy is largely focused on management, oversight, and commercial dependence risk at echelons below the GCC and does not provide guidance on integrating OCS within the APEX framework. Using Carol Bacchi's 'What's the problem represented to be?' method of policy analysis, this case study examined the problem representation that served as the basis for existing joint doctrine and policy development as a way to explore options for expanding the OCS framework to include strategic decisions on theater posture and campaign planning. Recommendations were made across the DOTmLPF-P spectrum as encompassed by the Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) Framework.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1124437
Entities
People
- Liz Anton
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College