The Potential Breach in Intelligence Support to Theater Component Commanders and Single-Service Operations.
Abstract
Joint warfare concepts have been established as the most effective way for U.S. Armed Forces to meet challenges across the spectrum of military operations. However, in certain circumstances, single-service operations continue as necessarily separate and distinct contributions to the joint effort. Joint intelligence doctrine does not include the preparation or provision of intelligence support to uni-service operations. Therefore, single-service operational intelligence support remains relevant within the joint intelligence structure. Fiscal constraints, however, have generated a dilemma for the services-either pay for theater component intelligence agencies or defer support functions to theater JICs. The question of whether or not JICs are capable of providing support to single-service operations yields to the fact the JIC responds foremost to the CINC's priorities. Since joint doctrine does not consistently define the responsibility of the JIC to all theater forces, especially those forces operating outside of direct joint command, a potential breach in theater component intelligence support has evolved within the joint architecture. Nevertheless, certain courses of action will address developing pit-falls in single-service operational intelligence support. These include: Clarifying joint intelligence doctrine on the relationship between theater joint intelligence organizations and independent forces; redirecting service funding towards organizations which satisfy service-unique intelligence requirements; establishing 'component cells' at the theater JICs or 'theater cells' at national service intelligence agencies which respond directly to theater component commanders and independent forces; and continuing to field information dissemination systems which provide operational commanders with access to national and theater intelligence databases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 12, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307774
Entities
People
- Thomas R. Crompton Jr
Organizations
- Naval War College