The Geographic CINCs and Joint Interoperability: Overcoming the Responsibility/Authority Disconnect
Abstract
Joint interoperability is vital in order for the combatant commanders (CINCs) to effectively prosecute military actions. Numerous Department of Defense (DoD) documents, including the Goldwater-Nichols Act, have attempted to address the importance of interoperability and expedite its implementation through clear and specific directives. Unfortunately, the documentation has also created major hurdles for the geographic CINCs by giving them responsibility for improving joint interoperability without giving them the authority to do it. This situation has existed for decades and has hindered the CINCs ability to effectively fight as a joint force. Because of this, it is clear that in order to effectively employ the joint force, the geographic CINCs must exert greater influence on joint interoperability. To this day, DoD is still attempting to increase joint interoperability through history of this problem, it is unlikely that new documents will have any greater effect than the previous ones. It is also unlikely that the disconnect between DoD responsibility and authority for joint interoperability will be overcome in the near future. Given this environment, it is critical that the CINCs take the situation into their own hands and use the authority that they do possess to influence and thereby increase joint interoperability. This paper offers four recommendations which the geographic CINCs can use to gain the necessary influence to dramatically improve joint interoperability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401141
Entities
People
- Jeffrey S. Carusone
Organizations
- Naval War College