THE UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE

Abstract

Abstract : The United States currently manages its combatant forces and their direct support through an organizational structure of one specified and seven unified commands. These combatant commands are meant to provide the mechanism for achieving two vital aims: unity of effort of land, sea, and air forces; and a peacetime organization which doesn't need to be changed to go to war. Our ideas about unified commands have been evolving steadily since World War II although no adjustments have been made to the Unified Command Plan since 1963. However, Secretary Laird's military posture statement to the Congress in March 1971 and several news items during the past year have clearly indicated that the structure was under intensive review. Deputy Secretary Packard announced the outcome of this review July 8, 1971. The organizational changes, to be effective January 1, 1972, fall far short of those which had been under speculation in military circles; they will be discussed later. The purpose of this article is to analyze the unified command structure, examine various proposals for its change, and suggest improvements. Specifically, this article addresses the following questions: (1) Is the present unified command structure adequate for insuring unity of effort of land, sea and air forces?; (2) Would the peacetime organization of this structure require change if the United States were to go to war?; and (3) If change is indicated, what should the change be?