Paradigm Shift and Strategic Doctrine
Abstract
Geographic combatant commanders (GCCs) were originally intended to provide the linkage between the national strategic and operational levels of war. This paper answers two questions. Is there a paradigm shift occurring which necessitates the further development of the theater strategic level? If there is a paradigm shift occurring does this require the development of additional joint doctrine to define, describe, and aid in the development and execution of theater level strategies? Joint doctrine identifies a theater strategic level of war between the national strategic and operational levels, but beyond that identification there is a decided lack of elucidation on the subject. At the theater strategic level GCCs must interact with foreign nations, coordinate efforts between different operational-level commands, synchronize efforts among the services and other GCCs and functional combatant commands (FCCs), harmonize with the interagency, and provide theater strategic information and assessments to the national authorities. This occurs both in peacetime and during contingency execution. For all these reasons the theater strategic level has taken on perhaps greater and even critical importance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 06, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA543103
Entities
People
- Van R. Sikorsky
Organizations
- United States Army War College