Achieving Unity of Effort in Military Operations Other Than War.

Abstract

Abstract : Since the end of the Cold War, American armed forces have found themselves involved more and more frequently in military operations other than war (MOOTW). These include a wide range of operations, both non-combat and combat. Almost invariably, these operations involve a variety of forces--military and civilian, government and non-government, American and foreign. Operations of this type require intense coordination and cooperation--known as unity of effort in Joint Doctrine--in order to achieve stated objectives and thus success. The wide variety of participants in MOOTW brings unique problems, including command and control, lack of clearly defined objectives and desired end state, different objectives among the participants, and cultural differences. This paper suggests that unity of effort in MOOTW must be considered and addressed constantly, from the earliest stages of planning until the desired end state has been achieved. Numerous examples of successes, failures and difficulties experienced with respect to achieving unity of effort during the peace operations in Somalia from 1992 to 1994 are provided.