Operational Maneuver from the Sea and Amphibious Command Relationships: Is It time for a Joint Force Amphibious Component Commander?

Abstract

Abstract : The Navy-Marine Corps team envisioned in Sea Power 21 has the potential to offer the future Joint Force Commander (JFC) a significant capability with the application of Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS). In order to realize this potential however, the appropriate command and control structure must he available to the JFC. In a joint community that is becoming increasingly dependant on the use of functional component commanders in the execution of major operations, the need for a Joint Force Amphibious Component Commander (JFAMCC) is worthy of consideration as an organizational option. As amphibious command relationships continue to evolve, the need for a JFAMCC in addition to the Navy's Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) will he dependent on the size of the conflict, the geography of the theatre, and the capabilities of emergent weapons systems. The employment of an amphibious functional component commander offers significant benefits, however it also carries substantial costs. Considering those costs, the command relationships that are available for the planning and execution of amphibious operations are currently adequate. As the technology and procedures required for the execution of OMFTS mature, however, and amphibious forces are able to offer a truly operational capability to the JFC, a JFAMCC acting in concert with a JFMCC and the other standing functional component commanders will he an asset well worth the cost.