Reconstruction and Stability Operations: Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

Abstract

The 7 December 2005 National Security Presidential Directive designated the Department of State (DOS) to be the lead agency for coordinating, synchronizing and conducting Reconstruction and Stabilization (R&S) operations clearly identifies the United States Government interest in transitioning operations to assist the Afghanistan central government in securing its country in order to develop long-term stability and order. For the interim, however, the sole cabinet level organization that possesses the ability to conduct reconstruction and stability operations is the Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD is the only organization manned, staffed, equipped and funded to execute the nation's R&S requirement today. Realizing this reality the DOD has taken steps to broaden its scope through the publication and implementation of DOD Directive 3000.05 direct that stability, security, transition and reconstruction (SSTR) operations be treated as a core military mission and to broaden its planning guidance and training to more fully address post-conflict operations. The DOD serving as the ad hoc lead agency for the interim period is more out of necessity than preference until the DOS and other executive branch organizations expand their manning, equipment and resource capacity to take the lead role. Having the DOD serve in the lead for the interim is not a negative reflection on the contributions being made by other executive branch organizations; their roles are vital to current operations, however, their capacity is limited and must be expanded to effectively take the lead role. DOD is capable of effectively leading R&S operations now while other executive branch organizations build their capacity and capabilities and procedures to take the lead in the future.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 04, 2009
Accession Number
ADA502931

Entities

People

  • Richard C. Hubbard

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civilian Personnel
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • International Organizations
  • Military Operations
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • President (United States)
  • Security
  • Stability Operations
  • Training
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies