Commander's Intent. An Aerospace Tool for Command and Control?

Abstract

Abstract : Commander's Intent is a command technique that supplies subordinate commanders their superior commander's vision of a mission's end goals and purpose as a method of focusing the subordinates' decisions and initiative. This paper contrasts the US Army's and Marine Corps' heavy emphasis on this command tool in their basic doctrine for all levels of command, with the minimal Air Force use of the concept. The paper describes why this concept is not an obvious aerospace tool by comparing the significant differences between land force and air force combat command and control. The paper then offers potential benefits in wider Air Force use of commander's intent and describes methods of incorporating the technique into the Air Force command and control system. (AN)