Operationalizing the Interagency Coordination Mechanisms between State and Department of Defense for Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations
Abstract
In the past decade, the Department of Defense (DoD) has conducted the majority of U.S. stabilization and reconstruction operations (SRO) due to an inability of other government agencies to deploy and integrate. In April 2004, President Bush approved a concept to institutionalize U.S. civilian efforts under the Department of State (DOS) called the Secretary's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS). The primary question this thesis attempts to answer is whether coordination between S/CRS and DoD provides a new U.S. Government (USG) capability to translate policy into SRO down to the tactical level, for the near term. Recent literature provides criteria against which to evaluate the S/CRS-DoD model: synchronized policy and authority; institutionalized organization and manning; synchronized and flexible planning; integrated doctrine, training, and exercises; and resources and interoperability that enable transition. This investigation finds the S/CRS-DoD model strong on policy and planning, but insufficient on implementation. The U.S. Government must move forward on connecting many outlying organizations and national security structures to continue the momentum towards a true U.S. Government capability. Additionally, a critical gap in understanding this topic exists between the strategic and operational/tactical levels. If the U.S. Government wants this model to succeed, doctrine, education, and training across the spectrum of stabilization and reconstruction operators should become a top priority.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA463859
Entities
People
- Elizabeth A. Medina
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College