Joint Pub 1: A Solid Doctrinal Cornerstone or Jello Pudding
Abstract
This monograph examines Joint Pub 1, Joint Warfare of the US Armed Forces. It assesses if Joint Pub 1 is still a sound capstone manual which provides a common perspective for the continuing development of joint and service doctrine. The American experience in war had increasingly demanded joint action. Since the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, joint doctrine has gained a greater measure of importance. For example, when Joint Pub 1 was published in November, 1991, General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, stated that 'joint warfare is team warfare.' Joint Pub 1 is essentially his philosophy on joint warfare. He had the manual written to define a 'common perspective' for all warfighting services when it comes to joint warfighting and the doctrine that guides it. The monograph begins with an examination of the development of joint and service doctrine. Evidence includes an assessment of Joint Pub 1 and each warfighting service's 'capstone' manuals. Additionally, an examination of the theorists who have had the greatest influence on today's US military doctrine is provided. Along with the theorists, another key influence of Joint Pub 1 has been the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. The monograph then analyzes Joint Pub 1 using the feasibility, acceptability, and suitability model as a framework. The analysis concludes that Joint Pub 1 should be reassessed or rewritten by the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shalikashvili
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 11, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA284135
Entities
People
- Michael T. Flynn
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College