Joint Capabilities - The Case for Reform
Abstract
The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 legislated major organizational changes to improve the conduct of military operations and enhance joint interoperability among the services. The changes have had a profound effect on how the joint force operates but they have been slower in taking root in the services Title 10 function of equipping the force. In this function separate service approaches still dominate the procurement process and establishing joint concepts and architectures to guide them has been glacial and acrimonious. These failures continue to hamper interoperability among the services and frustrate joint force commanders. Furthermore they provide additional drag on an already cumbersome resource allocation process and warrant correction. This paper examines the causes of this continuing deficiency and the current efforts within DoD to correct it including the newly established Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System. It further assesses those efforts as promising but insufficient and provides recommendations on additional remedies to fully correct them including improving strategic guidance empowering JFCOM and other combatant commands reorganizing the Joint Requirements Oversight Council and providing selected budget authorities to joint capability managers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 19, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA424417
Entities
People
- Michael A. Coss
Organizations
- United States Army War College