Self-Synchronization, the Future Joint Force and the United States Army's Objective Force

Abstract

Self-synchronization is an idea that comes directly from Network-Centric Warfare but its foundations lie in complexity theory and the ideas of self-organization and emergent behavior. In order to understand self-synchronization the basics of complexity theory, specifically self-organization and emergent behavior, must be explained. Then, by expanding on the accepted definition of self-synchronization as defined by Admiral Cebrowski in his early literature on NCW it is clear that self-synchronization is a combination of complexity theory s ideas of self-organization and emergent behavior and information technology. Next, by comparing the requirements and conditions of self-synchronization against the conditions and requirements of JOW s Adaptive Command and Objective Force Battle Command it is clear that self-synchronization (self-coordination in the 2003 Defense Transformation Guidance) is a feasible concept for future Joint and Army forces. In fact, current doctrine supports the basic ideas behind self-synchronization and current Objective Force experiments demonstrate self-synchronizing behavior.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 22, 2003
Accession Number
ADA415852

Entities

People

  • Charles D. Costanza

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Systems
  • Command And Control
  • Complex Systems
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Information Systems
  • Land Warfare
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Organizational Structure
  • Self Organizing Systems
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.