KITAE I: Edge Organisation in Battlespace Helmand
Abstract
This paper is the first in a series of 3 papers developed as part of Project Kitae, a real-time data collection project based on a 6 month tour as a Battle Group intelligence officer in Upper Gereshk Valley (UGV), Helmand, Afghanistan. This paper uses participant observation to identify the command and control (C2) challenges at the organizational edge of the military in a complex battlespace. The objective is to highlight and analyze key C2 issues relative to optimality within an effects based approach to operations (EBAO) framework. Theoretically it draws on material/efficiency approaches and conventional constructivism to manage the empirical evidence based on the targeting for effect process. The paper will analyze and illustrate how the hierarchal organization at the edge of the military organization reacts in the face of technology driven network development. The results give clear indications that while we have 21st century information technologies, we have a 19th century military organization with its own culture that frustrates the timely delivery of complete information to the authority with assets to take synchronized actions. In short, the traditional hierarchal military organization undermines the optimal exploitation of 21st century technology and significantly reduces agility in a complex battlespace.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA546969
Entities
People
- William G Mitchell