Joint Doctrine: Out of Synch with National Security Strategy and Transformation

Abstract

Abstract : An armed force's doctrine is its philosophical justification for existence and method of operations. As such, individual Service doctrines should derive from the overarching joint doctrine and compliance with joint doctrine should be unquestioned. Moreover, joint doctrine should be linked directly to national policy and national military strategy. Doctrine translates definitions of war into the means to achieve the policy objectives of war thereby providing the nexus between national military strategy and the conduct of military operations. Therefore, joint doctrine is as essential to operational objectives as strategy is to national strategic objectives. The evolving global strategic context, beginning before 11 September 2001, but accelerating thereafter, will require concentrating the combat power of widely distributed forces. This entails smaller, more agile combat and support units, physically separated from each other, operating within more closely networked command structures. The net result of transformation will be lowering the level at which joint synchronization takes place. In other words, the future for U.S. armed forces will move toward even greater jointness with joint doctrine playing a pivotal role in successful operations. So, if the future of U.S. Armed Forces is toward more agile, smaller, and joint units with doctrine essential to current operations and future transformation and force structure, why has joint doctrine been so ineffective?