Mission Command: Elasticity, Equilibrium, Culture, and Intent
Abstract
Mission command is based upon the exercise of local initiative within the framework of command intent. It is enabled by decentralization of authority and responsibility that allows subordinate commanders the latitude to plan and conduct operations based upon their understanding of the local situation. Shifting along a continuum of command approaches represents a form of short-term organizational adaptability that has been dubbed "elasticity" in this paper. It is argued that the roots of this elasticity lie in the concept of command intent, specifically implicit intent. The ability to operate in a decentralized fashion requires that forces create a deep, broad, reservoir of implicit intent. A force that is optimized for centralized operation because of its training, organizational structure, organizational culture, and equipment will not have the same degree of elasticity because it will not have a comparable reserve of implicit intent. All military organizations have a point of equilibrium on the command approach continuum and will experience stress during the period that they move away from this point. These two aspects of a military force -- elasticity and equilibrium -- provide an indication of its capacity for flexibility of command approach. In theory, elasticity increases as the point of equilibrium shifts towards the decentralized end of the continuum. In an age when centralized command is theoretically possible owing to technological advances, forces with the capability for decentralization will retain the advantage. This paper is a defense of mission command. Nevertheless, it is stressed that forces with the capability for decentralized command cannot be created quickly on demand -- no matter how much technology is available. Decentralized command is built on intangible qualities of the force such as trust, expertise, and broad experience, all of which take time to develop and are fragile, thus requiring careful maintenance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA472967
Entities
People
- Keith G. Stewart
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada