Is Decentralized Command and Control of Tactical Maneuver Units a Myth or Reality?

Abstract

With the publication of the 1982 FM 100-5 operations, the U.S. Army officially adopted the concept of decentralized operations. Based on the recognition that success in future warfare would demand soldiers and units capable of fighting on a fast-moving, non-linear battlefield, the doctrine incorporated several key components from the German mission-oriented command philosophy known as Auftragstaktik. Our commanders are expected to enhance freedom to operate and initiative through the use of mission type orders and commander's intent. However, despite further doctrinal emphasis in the 1986 version of 100-5, the application of decentralized command and control techniques is at best suspect. Auftragstaktik, Commanders intent, Mission orders, Decentralized command and control.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 16, 1991
Accession Number
ADA258109

Entities

People

  • Thomas M. Jordan

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Army Training
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Doctrine
  • Language
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Research
  • New York
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personality
  • Second World War
  • Students
  • Task Forces
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Science
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control