Examining U.S. Irregular Warfare Doctrine

Abstract

Abstract : The United States' overwhelming conventional military superiority has forced its enemies for the foreseeable future to fight it unconventionally, mixing modern technology with the classic techniques of insurgency and terrorism. In response to the associated strategic challenges, a growing debate occurred among military historians, strategists, and leaders about the proper principles necessary for contemporary irregular warfare, particularly against a potential transnational enemy. Without a Joint Publication to serve as a guide, several of the individual services have recently published updated doctrine to address the subject: Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 2-3: Irregular Warfare in August in August 2007 and Army Field Manual (FM) 3-24: Counterinsurgency in December 2006 (jointly published as Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-33.5: Counterinsurgency). Joint Publication 3-24: Counterinsurgency has an anticipated release of May 2009. The detailed content analysis of AFDD 2-3, FM 3-24, and several authoritative documents required to construct a House of Quality would provide several insights for the doctrine writers; each document would be contrasted against the authoritative works and against each other. Similarities, differences, missing fundamentals, and overarching doctrinal concepts were determined by examining this study's Irregular Warfare Concept House of Quality and can guide the writers in critical concepts for inclusion. Additionally, analysis revealed some implications if the enemy proves to be transitional instead of the more traditional state-base threats.