JO-501 - Joint Command Structures

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

501.1 Comprehend the organizational framework within which joint forces are employed [I.1(b)]. Section changed -- grammar corrections.

501.11 Summarize how the Unified Command Plan (UCP) divides the world into CINC AORs.

Unified Command Plan. The document, approved by the President, which sets forth basic guidance to all unified combatant commanders; establishes their missions, responsibilities, and force structure; delineates the general geographical area of responsibility for geographic combatant commanders; and specifies functional responsibilities for functional combatant commanders. Also called UCP.(Joint Pub 1-02)

The Unified Action Armed Forces (UNAAF) and Unified Command Plan (UCP) govern the organization and development of command relationships within the US military. Structuring forces to meet our security needs is a vitally important task because the US has limited forces and capabilities to meet global security concerns.

Unified Command Plan (UCP) contains the following:

  1. Geographic responsibility
  2. Normal operations
  3. Evacuation of noncombatants
  4. Military representation

501.12 . Describe current UCP organizational issues.

I could find no reference in any of the Joint Pubs of a current UCP organizational issue.

501.1. Describe the relationship of the Services to CINCs.

The services provide the resources required to perform the mission to the CINC. The services are responsible for organizing, training, and equipping functions but the CINC maintains COCOM over the forces assigned.

Two additional concepts:
Continuous Coordination--All components of the Department of Defense are charged to coordinate on matters of common or overlapping responsibility
Interoperability--meaning the forces, units, and systems of all Services must operate together effectively.

501.14 Describe the command and control structure used in operations.

The term "unified action" is a broad generic term referring to the broad scope of activities taking place within unified commands, subordinate unified commands, or joint task forces under the overall direction of the commanders of those commands. Within this general category of operations, subordinate commanders of forces conduct either single-Service or joint operations to support the overall operation. Unified action integrates joint, single-Service, special, and supporting operations, in conjunction with interagency, non-governmental, private voluntary organizations, multinational, or United Nations operations, into a unity of effort in the theater or joint operations area. Unified action within the military instrument of national power supports the national strategic unity of effort through close coordination with the other instruments of national power. Unified direction is normally accomplished by establishing a joint force, assigning a mission or objective to the joint force commander, establishing command relationships, assigning or attaching appropriate forces to the joint force, and empowering the joint force commander with sufficient authority over the forces to accomplish the assigned mission.

501.2 Comprehend the purpose, roles, functions, and relationships of the National Command Authorities (NCA), National Security Council (NSC), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), Combatant Commanders, Service Chiefs, and Joint Force Commanders (JFC)s [I.1(c)].

Organization of National Security

General Summary

The NCA exercises authority and control of the armed forces through a single chain of command with two distinct branches. The first runs from the President, to the Secretary of Defense, directly to the commanders of combatant commands for missions and forces assigned to their commands. The second branch, used for purposes other than operational direction of forces assigned to the combatant command, runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense to the Secretaries of the Military Departments.

501.21 Explain the purposes, roles, and functions of the NCA.

The National Command Authorities (NCA), consisting of the President and the Secretary of Defense, or their authorized alternates, exercise authority over the Armed Forces through the combatant commanders for those forces assigned to the combatant commands and through the Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Chiefs of the Services for those forces not assigned to the combatant commands.

501.22 Explain the purposes, roles, and functions of the NSC.

The NSC system is the principal forum for deliberation of national security policy issues requiring Presidential decision. The statutory members of the council are the president, the vice president, the secretary of state, and the secretary of defense. The NSC system provides the framework for establishing national strategy and policy objectives. The NSC develops policy options, considers implications, coordinates operational problems that require inter-departmental consideration, develops recommendations for the President, and monitors policy implementation. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discharges a substantial part of his statutory responsibilities as the principal military adviser to the President, the NSC, and the Secretary of Defense through the institutional channels of the NSC. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff regularly attends NSC meetings and presents his views and those of the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commanders. The NSC prepares national security guidance that, with Presidential approval, implements national security policy. These policy decisions provide the basis for military planning and programming.

501.23 Explain the purposes, roles, and functions of the CJCS.

The Chairman is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the officers of the regular component of the Armed Forces. The Chairman arranges for military advice, as appropriate, to be provided to all offices of the Secretary of Defense. While holding office, the Chairman outranks all other officers of the Armed Forces. The Chairman may not exercise military command over the combatant commanders, Joint Chiefs of Staff, or any of the Armed Forces. The Chairman acts as the spokesman for the combatant commanders, especially on the operational requirements of their commands. These commanders will send their reports to the Chairman, who will channel them to the secretary of Defense, subject to the direction of the Secretary of Defense, so that the Chairman may better incorporate the views of these commanders in advice to the President and the Secretary of Defense. The Chairman also communicates, as appropriate, the combatant commanders' requirements to other elements of the Department of Defense. The Chairman assists the President and the Secretary of Defense in performing their command functions. The Chairman transmits their orders to the combatant commanders as directed by the President and coordinates all communications in matters of joint interest addressed to the combatant commanders by other authority.

CJCS Short List:

  1. Principal military adviser to President, SECDEF, and NSC
  2. Senior military officer
  3. May not exercise military command
  4. Functions as conduit between NCA and CINCs
  5. Prepares military strategy and risk assessment
  6. Attends and participates in NSC meetings
  7. SECDEF adviser on budget

501.24 Explain the purposes, roles, and functions of the Combatant Commanders.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF A COMBATANT COMMANDER

Directly responsible to the NCA for the performance of assigned missions and the preparedness of their commands to perform assigned missions.

  1. Giving authoritative direction to subordinate commands and forces necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command, including authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics.
  2. Prescribing the chain of command to the commands and forces within the command.
  3. Organizing commands and forces within that command as necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
  4. Employing forces within that command as necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
  5. Assigning command functions to subordinate commanders.
  6. Coordinating and approving those aspects of administration, support (including control of resources and equipment, internal organization, and training), and discipline necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
  7. Exercising the authority with respect to selecting subordinate commanders, selecting combatant command staff, suspending subordinates, and convening courts-martial.
  8. The combatant commanders are responsible for the development and production of joint operation plans. During peacetime, they act to deter war and prepare for war by planning for the transition to war and military operations other than war. During war, they plan and conduct campaigns and major operations to accomplish assigned missions.
  9. Combatant commanders should ensure that their unified action synchronizes joint operations and single-Service operations in time, space, and purpose with the actions of supporting combatant commands and other military forces (multinational operations) and non-military organizations

(DOD and other federal government agencies such as the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the Agency for International Development, nongovernmental organizations such as religious relief agencies, corporations, private and nongovernment volunteer organizations, international agencies such as the International Red Cross, and the United Nations).

501.25 Explain the purposes, roles, and functions of the JFCs.

Joint Force Commander. is a general term applied to a combatant commander, subunified commander, or joint task force commander authorized to exercise combatant command (command authority) or operational control over a joint force. Also called JFC. (Joint Pub 1-02). See above for details on combatant commander functions. Joint force commanders are provided staffs to assist them in the decision making and execution process. The staff is an extension of the commander; its sole function is command support, and its only authority is that which is delegated to it by the commander.

501.26 Explain the purposes, roles, and functions of the Service Chiefs.

  1. To prepare forces and establish reserves of manpower, equipment, and supplies for the effective prosecution of war and military operations other than war and plan for the expansion of peacetime components to meet the needs of war.
  2. To maintain in readiness mobile reserve forces, properly organized trained, and equipped for employment in an emergency.
  3. To provide adequate, timely, and reliable intelligence and counterintelligence for the Military Departments and other agencies as directed by competent authority.
  4. To recruit, organize, train, and equip interoperable forces for assignment to combatant commands.
  5. To prepare and submit programs and budgets for their respective departments; justify before Congress budget requests as approved by the President; and administer the funds made available for maintaining, equipping, and training the forces of their respective departments, including those assigned to combatant commands. The budget submissions to the Secretary of Defense by the Military Departments will be prepared on the basis, among other things, of recommendations of combatant commanders and of Service component commanders of forces assigned to combatant commands.
  6. To conduct research; develop tactics, techniques, and organization; and develop and procure weapons, equipment, and supplies essential to the fulfillment of the functions assigned by Chapter 6, title 10, United States Code and by Department of Defense Directive 5100.1.
  7. To develop, garrison, supply, equip, and maintain bases and other installations, including lines of communication, and to provide administrative and logistic support for all forces and bases, unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of Defense.
  8. To provide, as directed, such forces, military missions, and detachments for service in foreign countries as may be required to support the national interest of the United States.
  9. To assist in training and equipping the military forces of foreign nations.
  10. To provide, as directed, administrative and logistic support to the headquarters of combatant commands, to include direct support of the development and acquisition of the command and control system of such headquarters.
  11. To assist each other in the accomplishment of their respective functions, including the provisions of personnel, intelligence, training, facilities, equipment, supplies, and services.
  12. To prepare and submit, in coordination with other Military Departments, mobilization information to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

501.27 Explain how CINCs interact with the NCA, NSC, CJCS, Service Chiefs, and JFCs.

Interaction starts with the President, who appoints the CINC in the first place, and flows both directions from that point on. The President, through the Secretary of Defense, with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, establishes combatant (unified or specified) commands for the performance of military missions and prescribes the force structure of such commands. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff assists the President and Secretary of Defense in performing their command functions. The Chairman transmits to the commanders of the combatant commands the orders given by the NCA and, as directed by the Secretary of Defense, also oversees the activities of those commands. Orders will be issued by the President or the Secretary of Defense and are normally conveyed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by authority and direction of the Secretary of Defense. Reports from combatant commanders will normally be submitted through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who forwards them to the Secretary of Defense and acts as the spokesman for the commanders of the combatant commands. CINCs communicate directly to their subordinate JFCs.

501.28 Describe the process, sources of input, and timelines associated with the formulation of the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan (JSCP).

The Joint Strategic Planning System (JSPS) is the primary formal means by which the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commanders, carries out his statutory responsibilities required by title 10, US Code, 6 April 1991, and further delineated in DOD 5100.1, 25 September 1987. CJCS memorandum of policy (MOP) 7, to be revised as CJCSI 3100.01,provides policy and procedures governing the operation of the JSPS. The central process of the JSPS is the Joint Strategy Review (JSR). The JSR is a continuous process that assesses the strategic environment for issues and factors that affect the National Military Strategy (NMS) in the near-term or the long-range. It continuously gathers information; examines current, emerging and future issues, threats, technologies, organizations, doctrinal concepts, force structures and military missions; and reviews and assesses current strategy, forces, and national policy objectives. The JSR facilitates the integration of strategy, joint operation planning, and program assessment. When significant changes or factors in the strategic environment are identified, JSR issue papers are presented to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs of the Services, and the combatant commanders. These papers will provide entering arguments for proposed changes to the National Military Strat (NMS), Joint Planning Document (JPD), and JSCP and solicit the Chairman's guidance for changing the military strategy if required. The JSCP provides a coherent framework for capabilities-based military advice provided to the NCA. It is reviewed at least biennially for required changes. (JP 5-0)

501.29 Describe the purpose of the JSCP and comprehend the tasking and guidance provided in the JSCP.

Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan (JSCP) provides guidance for planning purposes to the combatant commanders and the Chiefs of the Services to accomplish tasks and missions based on current military capabilities. This guidance capitalizes on US strengths and permits it to exploit the weaknesses of those who may threaten our national interests. The JSCP provides a coherent framework for capabilities-based military advice provided to the NCA.

Deliberate Planning is a critical concept in the JSCP. Deliberate planning prepares for a possible contingency based upon the best available information and using forces and resources apportioned for deliberate planning by the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan (JSCP). It relies heavily on assumptions regarding the political and military circumstances that will exist when the plan is implemented. Deliberate planning is conducted principally in peacetime to develop joint operation plans for contingencies identified in strategic planning documents.

The JSCP provides the strategic direction required to coordinate the planning efforts of the combatant commanders in pursuit of national strategic objectives and to integrate their efforts with those of the remainder of the JPEC. The JSCP is the link between strategic planning and joint operation planning. It is the primary vehicle through which the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff exercises his responsibility to provide for the preparation of joint operation plans. The JSCP initiates deliberate joint operation planning by assigning planning tasks to the combatant commanders, apportioning major combat forces and resources, and issuing planning guidance to integrate the joint operation planning activities of the entire JPEC within a coherent, focused framework.

The JSCP initiates deliberate joint operation planning by:

  1. Assigning planning tasks to the combatant commanders.
  2. Apportioning major combat forces and resources.
  3. Issuing planning guidance to integrate the joint operation planning activities of the entire JPEC within a coherent, focused framework.

501.3 Comprehend how joint force command relationships and directive authority for logistics support joint warfighting capabilities [I.1(d)].

Directive Authority for Logistic Matters. Commanders of combatant commands may exercise directive authority for logistics (or delegate directive authority for a common support capability). The exercise of directive authority for logistics by a combatant commander includes the authority to issue directives to subordinate commanders, including peacetime measures, necessary to ensure the following: effective execution of approved operation plans; effectiveness and economy of operation; and prevention or elimination of unnecessary duplication of facilities and overlapping of functions among the Service component commands.

A combatant commander will exercise approval authority over Service logistic programs (base adjustments, force beddowns, and other aspects as appropriate) within the command's area of responsibility that will have significant effects on operational capability or sustainability. When the combatant commander does not concur with a proposed Service logistic program action and coordination between the combatant commander and the Chief of the Service fails to result in an arrangement suitable to all parties, the combatant commander may forward the issue through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense for resolution.

501.31 Summarize JTF organizational structures.

Background on Joint Forces--Joint forces are established at three levels: unified commands, subordinate unified commands, and joint task forces.

a. Authority to Establish. In accordance with the Unified Command Plan, combatant commands are established by the President through the Secretary of Defense, with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Commanders of unified commands may establish subordinate unified commands when so authorized by the Secretary of Defense through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Joint task forces can be established by the Secretary of Defense, a combatant commander, subordinate unified commander, or an existing joint task force commander.

b. Basis for Establishing Joint Forces. Joint forces can be established on either a geographic area or functional basis.

Geographic Area. Establishing a joint force on a geographic area basis is the most common method to assign responsibility for continuing operations. The commander of a combatant command established on an area basis is assigned a geographic area by the establishing authority. The title of the areas and their delineation are prescribed in the establishing directive. A JFC assigned a geographic area is considered an area commander. Note: Only commanders of combatant commands are assigned AORs. Subordinate joint force commanders are normally Joint Operation Areas (JOAs).

Functional. Sometimes a joint force based solely on military functions without respect to a specific geographic region is more suitable in order to fix responsibility for certain types of continuing operations (e.g., the unified commands for transportation, space, special operations, and strategic operations). The commander of a joint force established on a functional basis is assigned a functional responsibility by the establishing authority.

Organizing Joint Forces: A joint task force (JTF) is a joint force that is constituted and so designated by the Secretary of Defense, a combatant commander, a subordinate unified command commander, or an existing joint task force commander. A JTF may be established on a geographical area or functional basis when the mission has a specific limited objective and does not require overall centralized control of logistics.

501.32 ·Summarize JTF command relationships.

A Joint Task Force (JTF) is a joint force that is constituted and so designated by the Secretary of Defense, a combatant commander, a subordinate unified command commander, or an existing joint task force commander. (A naval force consisting of Navy and Marine Corps forces does not by itself constitute a joint task force.)

  1. A JTF may be established on a geographical area or functional basis when the mission has a specific limited objective and does not require overall centralized control of logistics. A JTF is dissolved by the proper authority when the purpose for which it was created has been achieved or when it is no longer required.
  2. The authority establishing a JTF designates the commander and assigns the mission and forces.
  3. The commander of a JTF exercises OPCON over assigned and normally over attached forces.
  4. The JTF commander may also be a Service component commander. When this is the case, the commander also has the responsibilities associated with Service component command for the forces belonging to the parent Service.
  5. The commander of a joint task force will have a joint staff with appropriate members in key positions of responsibility from each Service or functional component having significant forces assigned to the command.

Command and Control

501.33 Summarize combined Task Force organizational structures.

In general the term Combined refers to two or more forces or agencies of two or more allies. (When all allies or services are not involved, the participating nations and services shall be identified; e.g., Combined Navies.) (Joint Pub 1-02) Could find nothing else that specifically addressed this topic.

501.34 Summarize combined Task Force command relationships

National Goals. No two nations share exactly the same reasons for entering a coalition or alliance. To some degree, participation within an alliance or coalition requires the subordination of national autonomy by member nations. The glue that binds the multinational force is agreement, however tenuous, on common goals and objectives. However, different national goals, often unstated, cause each nation to measure progress in its own way. Each nation, therefore, can produce differing perceptions of progress. JFCs should strive to understand each nation's goals and how those goals can affect conflict termination and the desired end state. Maintaining cohesion and unity of effort requires understanding and adjusting to the perceptions and needs of member nations. Motivations of member nations may differ, but multinational objectives should be attainable, clearly defined by the commander or leadership structure of the multinational force, and supported by each member nation. Commanders of multinational forces should carefully consider the types of missions assigned to member forces. Capabilities will often differ substantially between national forces, but sensitivity to and consideration of national honor, pride, and prestige will often be as important to final success as the contributions and capabilities of the national forces themselves. Small decisions, such as which national forces are involved in the main effort or perhaps play the lead role at the start of an offensive, can have major consequences in multinational operations.

501.4 Comprehend how the US military is organized to plan, execute, sustain, and train for joint and multinational operations [I.1(e)].

501.41 Explain the significance of the terms apportioned, assigned, and allocated as they relate to the forces a CINC has to plan and execute missions.

Assigned forces are those forces that have been placed under the combatant command (command authority) of a unified commander by the Secretary of Defense in his "Forces For Unified Commands" memo. Forces and resources so assigned are available for normal peacetime operations of that command.

Apportioned forces and resources are those made available for deliberate planning as of a certain date. They may include those assigned, those expected through mobilization, and those programmed. They are apportioned by the JSCP for use in developing deliberate plans and may be more or less than those allocated for execution planning.

Allocated forces and resources are those provided by the NCA for execution planning or actual implementation. The allocation of forces and resources is accomplished through procedures established for crisis action planning.

501.42 Define assigned, implied, and subsidiary tasks and explain how they are related to each other.

Assigned Tasks are those directed by a superior to a subordinate. I could not find any definitions of implied or subsidiary tasks anywhere in the five joint publications reference in this lesson.

501.43 ·Summarize how CINCs, JTFs, and Components are organized for joint, multinational, and interagency operations.

Functional and Service components of the joint force conduct subordinate and supporting operations, not independent campaigns. Joint force commanders (JFCs) synchronize the actions of air, land, sea, space, and special operations forces to achieve strategic and operational objectives through integrated, joint campaigns and major operations. The goal is to increase the total effectiveness of the joint force, not necessarily to involve all forces or to involve all forces equally. The authority vested in a commander must be commensurate with the responsibility assigned. All Service forces (except as noted in title 10, US Code, section 162) are assigned to combatant commands by the Secretary of Defense "Forces for Unified Commands" memorandum. A force assigned or attached to a combatant command may be transferred from that command only as directed by the Secretary of Defense and under procedures prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and approved by the President. Establishing authorities for subordinate unified commands and joint task forces may direct the assignment or attachment of their forces to those subordinate commands as appropriate. When forces are transferred, the command relationship the gaining commander will exercise over those forces must be specified. Planning for employment of joint teams begins with articulating and understanding the objective, purpose of the operations, and commander's intent (the commander's vision of the end state to be achieved). JFCs issue prioritized mission-type orders to subordinate commanders and define command relationships to facilitate mission accomplishment consistent with their concept of operations.

501.44 Summarize the role of the regional and functional CINCs in today's environment.

A JFC has the authority to organize forces to best accomplish the assigned mission based on the concept of operations. The organization should be sufficiently flexible to meet the planned phases of the contemplated operations and any development that may necessitate a change in plan. The JFC will establish subordinate commands, assign responsibilities, establish or delegate appropriate command and support relationships, and establish coordinating instructions for the component commanders.

Sound organization should provide for unity of effort, centralized planning, and decentralized execution. Unity of effort is necessary for effectiveness and efficiency. Centralized planning is essential for controlling and coordinating the efforts of the forces. Decentralized execution is essential because no one commander can control the detailed actions of a large number of units or individuals. When organizing joint forces with multi-national forces, simplicity and clarity are critical. Complex or unclear command relationships or organization are counterproductive to developing synergy among multinational forces.

501.45 Describe the organizational structure of the regional and functional CINCs.

Geographic Area (Regional) Establishing a joint force on a geographic area basis is the most common method to assign responsibility for continuing operations. The commander of a combatant command established on an area basis is assigned a geographic area by the establishing authority. The title of the areas and their delineation are prescribed in the establishing directive. A JFC assigned a geographic area is considered an area commander. Note: Only commanders of combatant commands are assigned AORs. Subordinate joint force commanders are normally Joint Operations Areas (JOAs). The boundaries defining these AORs are not intended to delineate restrictive geographic AORs. Commanders may operate forces wherever required to accomplish their missions.

Functional. Sometimes a joint force based solely on military functions without respect to a specific geographic region is more suitable in order to fix responsibility for certain types of continuing operations (e.g., the unified commands for transportation, space, special operations, and strategic operations). The commander of a joint force established on a functional basis is assigned a functional responsibility by the establishing authority.

501.46 ·Explain how regional and functional CINCs are organized to execute JSCP taskings.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff organizes the joint planning and execution community (JPEC) for joint operation planning by establishing supported and supporting command relationships between the combatant commands. The supported commander is the combatant commander having primary responsibility for all aspects of a task assigned by the JSCP or other joint operation planning authority. Supporting commanders provide augmentation forces or other support to a designated supported commander or commanders to develop supporting plans. Such support is provided in accordance with the principles set forth in Joint Pub 0-2, "Unified Action Armed Forces (UNAAF)," and may include the preparation of plans that support the joint operation plan of the supported commander.

a. The term "unified action" is a broad generic term referring to the wide scope of activities (including the synchronization of the activities of governmental and nongovernmental agencies) taking place within unified commands, subordinate unified commands, or joint task forces under the overall direction of the commanders of those commands. Within this general category of operations, subordinate commanders of forces conduct either single-Service or joint operations to support the overall operation.

It integrates joint, single-Service, special, and supporting operations; in conjunction with interagency, nongovernmental, private voluntary organizations, multinational, or United Nations (UN) operations, into a unity of effort in the theater or joint operations area. Unified action within the military element of national power supports the national strategic unity of effort through close coordination with the other instruments of national power as they apply within the theater environment and its unity of effort.

501.47 ·Comprehend functional CINCs current Joint Training Program.

OVERVIEW OF JOINT TRAINING

  1. General. The primary purpose of joint training is to prepare US forces to conduct joint and multinational operations. Above all, the Joint Training System (JTS) is designed to ensure the Armed Forces of the United States are trained to fight and win our nation's wars. The JTS (Figure II-1) provides an integrated, requirements-based methodology for aligning training programs with assigned missions consistent with command priorities and available resources. This system emphasizes a direct linkage between the National Military Strategy (NMS), combatant command mission requirements, and training. The ultimate result is trained and ready personnel able to effectively execute joint and multinational operations.
  2. Military Training. The way in which the Armed Forces train has evolved with the nature of the strategic environment. Military training has shifted from training to meet the demands of component-style warfare, as experienced in World War II, to the more modern multinational and joint warfare.

OBJECTIVES and SOBs removed per ACSC updated lesson plan.

501.6 Comprehend how national intelligence organizations support JFCs [I.4(d)].

National-level intelligence agencies and organizations that can support military operations should make that support available. A part of the responsibility of a national agency should be support of those military instruments of policy that are being applied for national purposes. Additionally, they should assist in identifying other potential intelligence requirements that may be addressable through their capabilities.

  1. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Provides direction and control of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for the purpose of ensuring that adequate, timely, and reliable intelligence and CI support is available to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commands.
  2. Joint Staff Director for Intelligence/ J-2. The Joint Staff/J-2 is responsible for working with the other national-level organizations to obtain intelligence available through those agencies that is required for joint operations.
  3. Director, Defense Intelligence Agency Ensures that expeditious, tailored, all-source intelligence collection, production, and dissemination support is provided to DOD entities.
  4. Director, National Security Agency. The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) (which includes the Service cryptologic elements (SCE) and the US SIGINT System (USSS)) provides SIGINT and information systems security (computer security and communications security) for the conduct of military operations in accordance with tasking, priorities, and standards of timeliness assigned by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF).
  5. Director, Central Intelligence Agency, and the Director of Central Intelligence. The Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) has capabilities that are particularly relevant in supporting joint operations. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) can contribute significant support for joint operations including intelligence used in:
  6. Director, Defense Mapping Agency (DMA). The Director, DMA, is responsible for providing maps, charts, and geodetic support for operations. DMA can provide specialized and tailored mapping, charting, and geodesy (MC&G) products in time of crisis especially for geographic areas where standard product coverage is unavailable or inadequate.
  7. The Department of State. The Department of State and the American Foreign Service overtly collect information relevant to US foreign policy concerns. Senior Foreign Service Officers are assigned to each of the combatant commands where they serve as political advisors to the commander. Through its Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the Department of State can support joint military operations with political and economic intelligence.
  8. Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NRO is a DOD agency with the mission to ensure that the United States has the technology and spaceborne and airborne assets needed to acquire intelligence worldwide, including to support such functions as monitoring of arms control agreements, indications and warning, and the planning and conducting of military operations. The NRO accomplishes this mission through research and development, acquisition, and operation of spaceborne and airborne intelligence data collection systems.
  9. i. Director, Central Imagery Office (CIO). The CIO manages national imagery collection requirements; provides advisory tasking to other imagery collection assets; establishes policy and guidance, and develops architectures addressing the current and future applications of imagery tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination resources; develops requirements for future imagery systems; and sets imagery system standards to ensure compatibility and interoperability.
  10. j. The Chiefs of the Military Services: Provide intelligence support for Departmental missions related to military systems, equipment, training, and support national intelligence activities in support of DOD entities, including combatant commands, subordinate joint commands, and Service components of those commands

501.7 Comprehend how command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems apply at all levels of war [1.5(b)].

Section attention - not in toolbook version of lesson plan. Needed for lesson completion.

501.71 Explain how the National Military Command and Control (NMCC) system is organized to aid both strategic and operational players during crisis situations.

During the initial phase of crisis action planning, events that have potential national security implications are detected, reported, and assessed to determine whether a military response may be required. The focus of this phase of crisis action planning is on the combatant commander in whose area the event occurs and who will be responsible for the execution of any military response. The combatant commander may be the first to detect and report the event to the NMCC. However, crisis action planning may be initiated by a report to the NMCC from any of the national means used to continuously monitor the worldwide situation. If not included within the initial report, the supported commander prepares and submits an assessment of the event to the NCA and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The assessment normally includes amplifying information regarding the situation, actions being taken, forces available, expected time for earliest commitment of forces, and major constraints on the employment of forces. If the time sensitivity of the situation is such that normal CAP procedures cannot be followed, the commander's assessment may also include a recommended COA. It then serves as the commander's estimate normally prepared in a subsequent phase of crisis action planning. The situation development phase ends when the supported commander's assessment is submitted to the NCA and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Crisis Assessment. During the crisis assessment phase of crisis action planning, the NCA, the Chairman, and the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff analyze the situation through available intelligence and determine whether a military option should be prepared. This phase is characterized by increased information and intelligence gathering, NCA review of options, and preparatory action by the JPEC. The phase begins with the receipt of the supported commander's report and assessment of the event. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assesses the situation from a military perspective and provides advice to the NCA on possible military options. The NCA identify national interests and objectives and consider possible diplomatic, informational, economic, and military alter-natives to achieve objectives. The flexibility of the CAP provides the latitude for the NCA to remain in this phase pending additional information, return to the pre-crisis situation, or progress to the next phase of CAP. (JP 5-0)

501.72 Explain how NMCC communicates and disseminates information to both strategic and operational players during peace and crisis situations.

Information above is all I could locate on this subject.

501.73 Describe how the Global Command and Control System (GCCS) is used to implement strategic command and control.

Global Command and Control System (GCCS). The GCCS is replacing WWMCCS. GCCS furnishes warfighters at all levels with needed connectivity, rapid access, flexibility, and simplicity in operations for a comprehensive, inter-operable, global command and control capability.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Comprehend the concepts and processes involved in developing joint doctrine, creating joint command relationships, and assessing joint readiness.

Comprehend the concepts and processes involved in planning and training for participation in joint activities and the processes used by combatant commanders to assess joint readiness.

Comprehend how campaign concepts are used at the operational level of warfare.

READINGS: Changes: Three reading added to this lesson.

Joint Pub 0-2, Unified Action Armed Forces, 24 Feb 1995.
Joint Pub 1, Joint Warfare of the Armed Forces of the United States, 10 Jan 1995.
New. Joint Pub 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations, 1 Feb 95.
New. Joint Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations, 13 Apr 95.
New. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual 3500.03, 1 June 96.

READING RATIONALE: Changes: Two reading rationales tailored to match lesson. Three reading rationales added.

Joint Pub 0-2, Unified Action Armed Forces, provides command relationships and authority for key players in the joint doctrine, planning, programming, and operations processes. This is the action publication for this lesson. Read it and refer back to it often. Notice that the introduction section differs from other joint publications -- they did this for a reason.

Joint Pub 1, Joint Warfare of the Armed Forces of the United States, outlines and introduces the roles and relationships of national leadership, combatant commanders, joint force commanders, and service components. This document relates a lot of material from the other ACSC courses. Things like the principles of war will be translated into fundamental concepts for joint warfare. You should refer back to this document when some of the lower level documents begin to lose their focus by trying to cover the myriad of details in the changing strategic environment.

Joint Pub 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations, 1 Feb 95, describes joint operations from the operator's point of view. Important themes include levels of war, commander's intent (center of gravity, phasing, and end state), planning joint operations and multinational operations. Be sure to study chapter IV for this lesson.

Joint Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations, 13 Apr 95, describes two planning processes - deliberate and crisis action. Using the notions of campaign planning, the JSCP tasked deliberate plans are the basis for crisis action plans and resulting operations orders. The publication presents the details on the relationship between JSCP and types of deliberate plans. The publication also presents the details on the planning terminology used to divide-up forces. Finally, key on the command and control structures used by the NCA and warfighters. Study chapters I and II for this lesson.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual 3500.03, 1 June 96, provides the details of joint training. Read to get a good grasp on the nomenclature used. You need to know this in order to communicate. Study Chapter III. Key on the phases of the training system. Skip Appendices.

LESSON OUTLINE:

Thesis: Changes add more material:

The Unified Action Armed Forces (UNAAF) and Unified Command Plan (UCP) govern the organization and development of command relationships within the US military. Structuring forces to meet our security needs is a vitally important task because the US has limited forces and capabilities to meet global security concerns. Several C4ISR systems, including the NMCC and GCCS are command system essentials. By understanding the roles and structures of the regional and functional CINCs, we can better appreciate opportunities for synergism in organization forms and functions at the operational level.

Added material: Planning and training become important tasks for the CINCs. In peacetime, planning and training are the premiums we pay to ensure a favorable outcome during conflict.

Main Point I: The capabilities and limitations of US military forces
a. The relationship of UCP to national security strategy
b. The issue of two MRCs
c. The issue of forces forward versus CONUS basing (strategic lift limitations)

Main Point II: The purpose, roles, functions, and relationships of the NCA, NSC, CJCS, CINCs, JFCs and Service Chiefs

Main Point III: The organizational framework for joint forces employment
a. Dividing world into CINC AORs; boundary issues
b. Relationship of Services to CINCs

Main Point IV: Joint Force command relationships and directives
a. Three JTF organizational structures
b. Command relationships; COCOM, OPCON, and TACON
c. Combined Task force organizations and command relationships

Main Point V: The role of regional CINCs in today's security environment
a. Warfighting and non-warfighting responsibilities
b. Joint Force integrators and trainers
c. Regional CINCs as supporting commands

Main Point VI: The structure of the regional CINCs

Main Point VII: The role of functional CINCs in today's security environment
a. Warfighting and non-warfighting responsibilities
b. USACOM Joint Force integrators and trainers
Main Point VIII: The structure of the functional CINCs

Main Point IX: The role, structure, and process of the NMCC, GCCS, and other C4ISR systems in the joint command environment

LESSON INTEGRATION AND RATIONALE:

This lesson provides essential background information used in the three following joint operations lessons. By focusing first on joint organizations, command structures and key players, we will better understand their interrelationships in future lessons regarding doctrine, planning, and operations.

LESSON OPR: Joint Operations and Campaign Studies Department

ATTACHMENT 1: JOINT COMMAND STRUCTURES DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

These questions are designed to be food for thought. They may or may not be representative of actual test questions, and are not all-inclusive. The answers to all these questions may be found in one or more of the presented materials, so it is highly recommended that you review all the lesson material prior to answering the questions.

  1. Explain the assignment and transfer of forces to a Joint Force.
  2. List and describe the command relationships used in joint operations.
  3. List and explain the four categories of support used in joint operations.
  4. Explain the link between the National Command Authority (NCA), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Combatant Commanders.
  5. Discuss the impact of the Nichols-Goldwater Act of 1986 on the military operations of the United States.
  6. List and explain the seven general functions of a Combatant Commander.
  7. Explain the basic organizational structure of a joint force including, the difference between functional responsibility and service components.
  8. What is the role of joint doctrine? Who is responsible for the development of joint doctrine? Explain the difference between authoritative and directive and which term applies to joint doctrine.
  9. Explain the joint doctrine publication hierarchy, including a discussion of the capstone and keystone documents, and what staff directorate is responsible for the publication of joint doctrine.
  10. What is a joint task force (JTF)? Who has the authority to establish a joint task force and explain the capabilities and limitations of a JTF?
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