Combat Support and the Operational Commander
Abstract
This research study determined current combat support doctrine and how it affects operational commanders. Current combat support doctrine was first determined by a literature review, and then compared to what personnel in the tactical environment considered to be combat support. What effect combat support doctrine has on the operational commander was determined from personnel in the tactical environment. To determine what personnel in the tactical environment held to be combat support and how it affects operational commanders, a Delphi questionnaire was developed. This questionnaire was sent to a panel of 30 personnel whose current assignment involved some aspect of combat support. Data was collected from U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy personnel with results for the separate populations and the combined population used to determine if personnel in the tactical environment were in accord with the literature review concerning combat support. and the affects of combat support on the operational commander. The analysis indicated that current combat support doctrine can be obtained from available literature, but personnel have not developed a consensus on the theoretical aspects of strategy, tactics, logistics and combat support. Additionally, the research indicated that operational commanders are relying on experience and intercommunication among strategists, tacticians and logisticians to obtain knowledge of how combat support effects both the tactical environment and the operational commander. Theses. (fr)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201569
Entities
People
- Donald C. Mcneeley Jr.
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology