Contemporary Operating Environment Research Articles

The fragile nature of concentration of effort principle and the instability of the 3:1 force ratio

The complexity of the contemporary operating environment necessitates a continuous adaptation of the operational process, which is made possible by constant doctrinal adjustments, including a re-evaluation of the principles of operations dimensions.In this context, the analysis of the new requirements regarding the integration of the principle of concentration of effort and the rules underlying the dimensioning of the force ratio in operations represents a subject of interest. This approach is also significant in the context of Romania’s military transformation, which is geared towards a qualitative shift in emphasis over the quantitative one. Consequently, the assessment of the prospective realization of the fundamental tenets of the aforementioned operations yields valuable insights that can be leveraged by military planners irrespective of the operational scale.

The Future of Warfare in the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity Context

Abstract The war of the future represents an increasingly difficult concept to model through the implementation of emerging and disruptive technologies in a Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) context. The study of wars is essential in conflict prevention and peace building. In our paper we analyze the determining parameters of the contemporary operational environment against which we estimate possible directions of evolution of this phenomenon. The technological approach to war allows the identification of indicators of the development of emerging and disruptive technologies in an ethical framework and reinforces the strategies of forming a security culture through the mass education of citizens. The results of the research and the conclusions formulated can also constitute priorities for the strategies to strengthen the resilience of the national security and defense infrastructures.

Human Performance Optimization (HPO) for the Warfighter—Keeping It Simple in a Complex Age: A Narrative Review

ABSTRACT For the past 2 decades, western Armed Forces have been almost continuously engaged in combat operations worldwide. Over this period, changes to the character of conflict, combined with technological advancements, have resulted in a contemporary military operational environment that is arguably more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than ever before. However, although the character of conflict may have changed, it fundamentally remains a human endeavor that places unique and intense physiological, psychological, and cognitive demands on the warfighter. As a result, there has been an increased emphasis in military and scientific circles on the concept of human performance optimization. In addition, the concept of the tactical athlete as a categorization for military personnel and those who work in extremis settings has developed within the professional strength and conditioning community. Therefore, the following narrative review aims to outline the concept of human performance optimization, review the demands of the modern operational environment, and provide strength and conditioning practitioners working with military personnel with evidence-based recommendations to optimize the physiological, psychological, and cognitive performance of the warfighter.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Military Operations Planning

The military operations planning is one of the major functions of military staffs. The increasing complexity of the contemporary operating environment requires new approach to the understanding of the situation and realisation of a viable plan. The aim of this paper is to scrutinise the potential usage of future Artificial Intelligence tools in the process of military operations planning. The main question is whether Artificial Intelligence in its current state can be applied in military operations planning. To answer this question the paper provides a short overview of military operations planning, a summary of military-related Artificial Intelligence research and existing solutions, then identify criteria and field of application for future Artificial Intelligence-driven tools. Analysing the topic gives some insight into this possible way of increasing the effectiveness of the planning groups, thus contributes to finding more effective solutions for emerging complex and comprehensive problems.

Operationalizing Human Security in Contemporary Operating Environment

On November 24, 2021, Mr. Stephen Anning presented on Operationalizing Human Security in Contemporary Operating Environment at the 2021 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The key points of discussion included the concept of human security, the differences between interstate and intrastate conflict, the challenges of understanding human security, and how operationalizing human security can address some of those challenges. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives.

Operationalising Human Security in the Contemporary Operating Environment

Drawing upon primary research funded by the UK Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), this article is about using data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) for operationalising human security in the contemporary operating environment. The idea of human security has gained much traction in the international community since its introduction in a 1994 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report and has more recently become a military concern. Yet, the core tenets of this idea remain contested, and the military role in support of human security remains an open question. Nonetheless, the concurrent increase in Open Data and AI does give rise to new opportunities to understand the various human security concerns. In response, DASA funded Projects SOLEBAY and HAMOC to research these concerns and the possibilities of data analytics for human security. Drawing on the research findings, we propose the idea of Population Intelligence (POPINT) as a new intelligence discipline to operationalise human security.

A Brief Primer on Enhancing Islamic Cultural Competency for Deploying Military Medical Providers

ABSTRACT The contemporary operating environment for deployed United States military operations largely focuses on deployments to predominantly Islamic countries. The differences in cultural values between deployed military personnel and the citizens of these Islamic countries present a unique challenge to military personnel, especially when offering medical care. Cultural competency provides insights that can greatly increase the effectiveness of any military operation. Recent research indicates deployed military medical providers desire increased opportunities for cultural competency training prior to deployment. This primer provides an overview of religious values such as qadr—the belief that Allah has willed for something to happen—and of the Islamic belief that Allah has placed individuals to be caretakers of their bodies. It also highlights the impact of religio-cultural norms as important factors influencing medical decisions and health behaviors. Enhanced understanding of these principles can greatly improve the efficacy of patient care when consulting with and caring for Muslims who may be conflicted about receiving medical care from a non-Muslim. As military medical personnel become more culturally informed when preparing for deployment, they increase the likelihood of establishing positive relationships and providing effective medical care.

THE ADVANTAGES OF USING THE MILITARY PENTATHLON IN PREPARATION FOR MILITARY COMBAT

The contemporary operational environment in which the military carries out its military actions is a complex one and, therefore, requires the completion of an effective training program, a process of continuous education of the physical qualities and motor skills indispensable to the fighters. Therefore, the use of specific and associated means of sports training, customized according to the specific content of the military pentathlon, becomes extremely useful, because it has the role of improving the skills of the military and achieving maximum performance through them. Since its inception, the military pentathlon has been designed to help increase the level of physical training of the military and to capitalize on their ability to perform, a competition that was specifically related to physical, mental, intellectual, practical, creative abilities and leadership required of the military on the battlefield.

NEW PERSPECTIVES OF SIMULATION MODELING IN THE OPERATIONAL ART OF MILITARY ACTION PLANNING THROUGH SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY

Abstract: The contemporary operational environment is mainly determined by the dynamics of the phenomena occurring within the connections of the societal fields. Decoding the reality and designing military actions have shifted to new coordinates of the operational art, in terms of the way the factors of influence that change the status of each societal field are jointly approached. The term societal has acquired new meanings in the context of the overconnectivity of the fundamental domains of the society which are the following: political/diplomatic, military, economic, social, medical – pandemic, infrastructural, informational, environmental and geo-strategic. The operational art of military action planning is based on decoding the operational environment and includes analyses with different level of detail depending on the approached societal field. The analyses result in different models of action of the opponent that involve organizing and reorganizing the friendly formations that will be planned to take part in operations. Deciding for or against certain options for resolving a (military) crisis situation takes place following repeated simulations until favorable results are obtained. In this article, we aimed to bring to the attention of the specialists in the field of military action planning the integrative methodology of "design thinking" the main aspects related to the impact of the dynamics of the societal domains network in the perspective of the simulated modeling in military action planning.

GLOBALIZATION – A FORM OF MANIFESTATION OF THE HYBRID WAR

Abstract: The growing scale and diversity of specific events of globalization, taking place on a global scale in the first two decades of the 21st century prove indisputably that actions assimilated to the hybrid warfare have become the most significant threat to nations. Unlike conventional warfare, hybrid forms do not involve direct or declarative actions of open conflict, but rather involve complex issues that are constantly unfolding and that are constantly evolving. Like globalization, the conflict no longer has a geographical delimitation or an infrastructure component, and populations are no longer the main fighters of these conflicts. In this article I will seek to answer some questions about the phenomenon of globalization and its implications for amplifying the manifestations of hybrid warfare in the contemporary operational environment, especially those of a cyber, terrorist, climatological, biological and organized crime nature, while presenting the concerns of international actors for increasing investments in research in the armament industry, improving military intelligence and long-range capabilities, in order to use military power as a tool of intimidation in foreign policy, active involvement of forces in punishing actors on the “axis of evil”, as well as the partial recovery of old areas of influence at regional or global level.

HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT WITH OR WITHOUT PORTABLE ARMAMENT ‒ FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS FOR THE TRAINING OF THE MODERN MILITARY

Despite technological advances, hand-to-hand combat with or without portable armament remains a necessity in the contemporary operating environment, especially given the ambiguity of urban warfare and the close and regular interaction of the military with various adversaries (combatants or non-combatants) a wide range of situations in which force is used. Being a commitment between two or more people, in a confrontation in which ammunition is not used; training the military on hand-to-hand combat seems an important component that the military must consider in the physical preparation of the military for future conflicts. Cultivating courage to increase self-confidence is one of the most important benefits that hand-to-hand combat training can have. In a tense situation, having trained fighting skills in this regard can mean the difference between opening fire and escalating conflict, on the one hand, and avoiding disputes through a self-control approach to the factors that cause pain and fear, on the other hand.
 
 Keywords: hand-to-hand combat; portable weapons; technical procedures; specific training; physical training, military physical education.

ADAPTATION OF MILITARY CAPABILITIES TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT – CURRENT AFFAIRS AND PERSPECTIVES

The realities of the contemporary operational environment, which, given the nature of the actors, conditions and circumstances, manifest themselves in a well-defined space, directly and fundamentally influence decisions and the use of military capabilities. Identifying the key features of the operational environment, understanding and anticipating the evolutionary trends of these features are essential conditions for military planners to design successful military operations that respect the principle of sufficient use of military force. The continuous changes in the operational environment require a reaction both in terms of concept, but, especially, in terms of action, to adapt the military capabilities and, implicitly, the operational concepts to the new challenges. In this context, shortening the duration of the adaptation of strategies, doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures used in military actions to the maximum becomes imperative and must be at the same time anticipatory, and employing scientific tools to achieve an appropriate correlation between the structure of forces and missions is an unequivocal necessity

The Joint Command and Staff Course: responding to the educational needs of senior officers in the Irish Defence Forces

The Defence Forces are Ireland's military instrument of national power with responsibilities for national security and defence. The Irish government is committed to supporting international peace and security by deploying Defence Forces' personnel on United Nations peacekeeping missions and EU and NATO-led crisis management operations. However, the characteristics of the contemporary operating environment (COE) make military operations today more complex than at any other time in human history. To operate effectively in the COE requires officers that are educated to cope with uncertainty and have highly developed critical thinking skills. This article examines the Defence Force's response to the challenge of educating its senior leaders through the recently developed Joint Command and Staff Course delivered in partnership with Maynooth University. This paper advances the argument that developing its personnel's intellectual capacities is essential for the Defence Forces to operate effectively in the uncertainty of the modern security environment.

Effect of Dynamic Capabilities on Competitive Advantage of Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi, Kenya

Previous studies on manufacturing firms particularly in less developed countries have revealed that a third of these firms have failed to become operational as well as additional failures or closures of firms in previous years due to lack of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring of firm’s capabilities leading to competitive advantage. There are no empirical studies in Kenya that show the effect of dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage of manufacturing firms which this study strives to achieve. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of dynamic capabilities on competitive advantage of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the effect of sensing, seizing and reconfiguration capabilities on competitive advantage of manufacturing firms in Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted explanatory research design and data was collected using survey approach on a target population of 762 manufacturing firms registered under Kenya Association of Manufacturers. A sample size of 321 firms was selected based on Yamane formula of determination in selecting respondents to be served with the questionnaires. Pearson correlation was used to test the linear. relationship of variables while multiple regression model was used to analyze data in order to test the hypothesis for the study Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis and the study findings revealed that there was a positive and significant effect of sensing capabilities and competitive advantage (β=.392, p=.000); seizing capabilities and competitive advantage (β=.194, p=.000); reconfiguration capabilities and competitive advantage (β =.174, p=.001) with all p-value being less than .05. The study recommends that managers and industry practitioners should put more emphasis on, and appreciate the role of the leader in the deployment of dynamic capabilities by sensing, seizing, reconfiguring their capabilities in order to achieve competitive advantage in the ever changing contemporary operating environment.

ADAPTAREA CAPABILITĂȚILOR MILITARE LA CERINȚELE MEDIULUI OPERAȚIONAL – ACTUALITATE ȘI PERSPECTIVE –

The realities of the contemporary operational environment, which, given the nature of the actors, conditions and circumstances, manifest themselves in a well-defined space, directly and fundamentally influence decisions and the use of military capabilities. Identifying the key features of the operational environment, understanding and anticipating the evolutionary trends of these features are essential conditions for military planners to design successful military operations that respect the principle of sufficient use of military force. The continuous changes in the operational environment require a reaction both in terms of concept, but, especially, in terms of action, to adapt the military capabilities and, implicitly, the operational concepts to the new challenges. In this context, shortening the duration of the adaptation of strategies, doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures used in military actions to the maximum becomes imperative and must be at the same time anticipatory, and employing scientific tools to achieve an appropriate correlation between the structure of forces and missions is an unequivocal necessity.

Incidence Rates of Tinnitus in Active Duty Military Service Members Between 2001 and 2015.

Purpose Due to hazards in the contemporary operating environment, U.S. military service members are at increased risk for tinnitus. Previous research has characterized tinnitus prevalence in military veterans, but no population-based study of tinnitus has been conducted in active duty military service members. This study evaluated the incidence of tinnitus diagnoses in military electronic health records based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) codes for active duty service members between 2001 and 2015. Method Data on 85,438 active duty military service members who served between 2001 and 2015 were drawn from the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database and stratified by race, age, sex, marital status, service branch, and military pay grade. Results The incidence rate of tinnitus in U.S. military service members (per 1,000) rose consistently from 1.84 in 2001 to 6.33 in 2015. Service members most often diagnosed with tinnitus were White (72%), married (72%), males (88%), in the enlisted pay grade of E-5 to E-9 (55%), in the Army (37%), and were 35 years of age or older (50%). Statistically significant differences (p < .001) were found between observed and expected counts across all 6 demographic variables. Conclusions This is the first study to assess the incidence rates of tinnitus in active duty service members. Although there are many risk factors for auditory damage in the contemporary military operating environment, the extant literature on tinnitus in active duty military service members is limited. Future studies should consider the relationship between tinnitus-related psychological comorbidity and objective health-related quality of life, as it impacts operational readiness in active duty military service members.

Difficulties With Emotion Regulation in the Contemporary U.S. Armed Forces: Structural Contributors and Potential Solutions

The ability to regulate negative emotions is especially necessary for service members in the contemporary U.S. armed forces, since they routinely face situations that elicit negative emotions while executing their professional roles. Yet difficulties with regulating emotions, which are associated with stress and mood disorders, suicidality, and impairments in work performance, remain prevalent across this group. This article surveys research in five domains—recruitment and selection effects, military cultural pressures and coping strategies, training, common chronic stressors, and the contemporary operational environment—to highlight structural contributors to the heavy stress loads that U.S. service members often bear, which may contribute to their difficulty with emotion regulation (ER). It concludes with several recommendations that the military could implement to mitigate service members’ stress loads and facilitate ER. Enhancing their ER skills may offer a long-term strategy to improve their resilience and performance.

East Asian ‘Econophoria’ in Theory and Practice

‘Econophoria’ is the hope that the solution of all governance challenges, whether international or domestic, can be sought through economic growth and development. It is prevalent in the East Asian region, where tremendous economic development success stories have gone hand-in-hand with lengthy periods without interstate war. This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings and antecedents for econophoria, and how it has manifest in practice in East Asia. It also raises, however, a number of questions which challenge the underlying assumptions of peace though trade and economic growth paradigms in East Asia. How does the skewed wealth distribution that is associated with macro-economic growth affect the internal stability and peace of the societies in East Asia? Does this have an impact on the propensity of the governments to contain the conflicts they have with their neighbours at a level of low tension? Is the pursuit of economic growth prior to, or at the expense of, human rights and the wellbeing of the most vulnerable sustainable in the contemporary international operating environment?

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Transforming World Politics: Between Isomorphism and Path Dependence

Summary This article explores the contemporary organization and functions of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the ways in which it responds to the transforming world politics. In contemporary foreign policy management discourse, the study of the foreign ministry — its organization, role, functions and position within national foreign policy and diplomatic systems — constitutes a central theme. This is because patterns of change within its structure, processes and operation can provide significant evidence regarding the state’s responses to systemic change, as well as its fundamental assumptions about world politics. There is no uniformity of opinion in the literature regarding foreign ministries’ responses to the changing policy milieus. On the one hand there are observations and arguments that view the foreign ministry as adaptive and retaining its centrality in national foreign policy systems, while on the other hand there are suggestions that the transforming world politics have diminished its significance, leading to its decline. Evidence gathered through a series of interviews with Greek diplomats indicates no discernible trend towards a decline of the Greek MFA. The data rather demonstrate that this Greek diplomatic institution, similar to other European foreign ministries, is in a process of adapt-ing to its contemporary operational environment, but that this process is slow because of its organizational culture.

THE ROLE AND USE OF THE ARMED FORCES IN THE FUTURE

The current challenges of the contemporary operational environment determine not only the establishment of a force structure having the necessary high engagement and sustainment capacity (including logistics), but also the allocation of ISTAR capabilities to support the fulfilment of assigned missions and the achievement of desired effects by the armed forces. Their support will be permanently adapted to the specificity of the operations in which they will be engaged, focusing on commonali- ty, interchangeability, interoperability and integrated functioning within multinatio- nal structures, depending on the way they will be organised, the deployment site, the climate, their sustainment capability in conflict areas and the legal institutionalised framework set up by the international organisations that will conduct those missions.