Analytical Support for the Joint Chiefs of Staff: The WSEG Experience, 1948-1976

Abstract

This study analyzes the activities of the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (WSEG) in providing operational analyses and weapons systems evaluations to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) from 1948 to 1976. The purpose of the analysis is twofold: (1) to assess the factors that affected WSEG's usefulness as a source of analytical support for the JCS; and (2) to derive lessons from the WSEG experience that may be of value in providing for such support in the future. In reviewing the WSEG record for these purposes, the study considers WSEG's organization, working arrangements, task assignments, operating procedures, and study production, in the context of the circumstances and requirements of the particular period. Under the terms of the task directive, the study covers WSEG's functions and the nature of their accomplishment, but does not attempt to evaluate either the quality of WSEG studies or their impact on JCS or Department of Defense (DoD) decisions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA090946

Entities

People

  • John Ponturo

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Employment
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Applications
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.