The Disestablishment of U.S. Joint Forces Command: A Step Backward in "Jointness"
Abstract
This paper explores joint transformation focusing on the key institutional role of USJFCOM. Upon establishment, USJFCOM joined a host of key "sustainers" of "jointness" including visionary leaders, key legislation, institutional elements, and operations. The author will prove that to "operationalize" and sustain joint transformation, a command like USJFCOM is necessary. Recent Secretary of Defense guidance initiated the dissolution of USJFCOM suggesting that joint operations are now performed as a matter of culture and practice. While the DoD has made great progress toward inculcating a joint warfighting ethos among the services, there is much left to do to capture the effectiveness achieved this decade and ensure it does not fall prey to the traditional inter-service rivalries witnessed in previous post-war draw downs. The author proposes a new command, "JFCOM-lite," retaining key functions, while addressing future roles and missions and the critical element of senior leadership to advance the Joint Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA545491
Entities
People
- Mark R. Hirschinger
Organizations
- National Defense University