Strategic Communication and the Geographic Combatant Commanders: The Current State of Affairs

Abstract

There is precious little in the way of formal guidance to the geographic combatant commanders (CCDRs) to manage and ensure synchronization of theater Strategic Communication (SC) initiatives with larger Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Government efforts. This paper explores the broad requirements to the CCDRs to link theater and national-level SC efforts. It further establishes the dearth of guidance to them on specific themes to emphasize, and how to coordinate themes and messages for emerging issues. Despite these gaps in guidance, CCDRs have continued to practice effective SC within their areas of responsibility fully in concert with larger DoD and USG initiatives. The efforts of some key CCDR staffs to craft organic processes and structures to bridge existing gaps in guidance are further explored. Finally, this effort concludes with an examination of forthcoming DoD and Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) initiatives to formally and permanently overcome current gaps in guidance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 13, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463287

Entities

People

  • William J. Ekblad

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combatant Commanders
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Foreign Policy
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • Interagency Coordination
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Psychological Operations
  • Public Diplomacy
  • Strategic Communications
  • United States
  • United States European Command
  • United States Pacific Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies