Command and Control in a Complex World
Abstract
The U.S. Joint Force stands alone in its ability to conduct large-scale combined arms warfare. Our unquestioned dominance leaves potential adversaries with no choice but to learn and adapt. This "messy intersection" between the industrial age and the information age is the groundswell of the evolutionary process: military adaptation. The national security problems facing the Joint Force are increasingly ill-defined and can be characterized as "wicked problems." These "wicked problems" cannot be solved solely by better planning or decision support processes. The current joint definition of command and control does not adequately address changes introduced through technology trends, our understanding of the global operating environment, and capabilities offered by modern information and communications technology. The inclusion of mission command in joint doctrine as a method to synchronize the actions of tactical elements of the Joint Force is necessary if the Joint Force is to work effectively within the 21st century operational environment. A joint version of the current Army and Marine Corps concept of mission command could provide a more agile and adaptable force -- a force capable of achieving unity of effort within the framework of "whole of government" approaches to challenges in the operational environment today and well into the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA562166
Entities
People
- David V. Gillum
Organizations
- National Defense University