JO 501 - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Explain the assignment and transfer of forces to a Joint Force.

• Forces, not command relationships, are transferred between commands. When forces are transferred, the command relationship the gaining commander will exercise (and the losing commander will relinquish) over those forces must be specified.
• When the transfer of forces to a joint force will be permanent (or for an unknown but long period of time) the forces should be reassigned. Combatant commanders will exercise combatant command (command authority) and subordinate joint force commanders (JFCs) will exercise operational control (OPCON) over reassigned forces.
• When transfer of forces to a joint force will be temporary, the forces will be attached to the gaining command and JFCs will exercise OPCON or Tactical Control (TACON), as appropriate, over the attached forces.
• Establishing authorities for subordinate unified commands and joint task forces direct the assignment or attachment of their forces to those subordinate commands as appropriate.
  

2. List and describe the command relationships used in joint operations.

• Combatant Command (command authority or COCOM). Nontransferable command authority exercised only by commanders of unified or specified combatant commands unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense. COCOM cannot be delegated and is the authority of a combatant commander to perform those functions of command over assigned forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics necessary to accomplish the missions assigned to the command. Operational control (OPCON) inherent in combatant command (command authority). Also called. (Joint Pub 1-02)
• Operational control (OPCON) Transferable command authority that may be exercised by commanders at any echelon at or below the level of combatant command. Operational control is inherent in combatant command (COCOM). Operational control may be delegated and is the authority to perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission. Operational control includes authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations and joint training necessary to accomplish missions assigned to the command.. Operational control normally provides full authority to organize commands and forces and to employ those forces as the commander in operational control considers necessary to accomplish assigned missions. Operational control does not, in and of itself, include authoritative direction for logistics or matters of administration, discipline, internal organization, or unit training. (Joint Pub 1-02)
• Tactical Control (TACON). Command authority over assigned or attached forces or commands, or military capability or forces made available for tasking, that is limited to the detailed and, usually, local direction and control of movements or maneuvers necessary to accomplish missions or tasks assigned. Tactical control is inherent in OPCON. Tactical control may be delegated to, and exercised at any level at or below the level of combatant command. (Joint Pub 1-02)
  

3. List and explain the four categories of support used in joint operations.

1. General Support The action that is given to the supported force as a whole rather than to a particular subdivision thereof.
2. Mutual Support The action that units render each other because of their assigned tasks, their position relative to each other, and their inherent capabilities.
3. Direct Support A mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly the supported force's request for assistance.
4. Close Support The action of the supporting force against targets or objectives that are sufficiently near the supported force as to require detailed integration or coordination of the supporting action with fire, movement, or other actions of the supported force.
   

4. Explain the link between the National Command Authority (NCA), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Combatant Commanders.

• 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, through the Secretary of Defense, 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 commands, runs from the President through the Secretary of Defense to the Secretaries of the Military Departments. The Military Departments, organized separately, each operate under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense. The Secretaries of the Military Departments exercise authority, direction, and control, through the individual Chiefs of the Services, of their forces not specifically assigned to combatant commanders.
• The commanders of combatant commands exercise combatant command (command authority) (COCOM) of assigned forces and are directly responsible to the NCA for the performance of assigned missions and the preparedness of their commands..
• 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..
  

5. Discuss the impact of the Nichols-Goldwater Act of 1986 on the military operations of the United States.

The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 makes the following statement of policy:

"In enacting this Act, it is the intent of Congress, consistent with the congressional declaration of policy in section 2 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401)--

1. to reorganize the Department of Defense and strengthen civilian authority in the Department;
2. to improve the military advice provided to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense;
3. to place clear responsibility on the commanders of the unified and specified combatant commands for the accomplishment of missions assigned to those commands;
4. to ensure that the authority of the commanders of the unified and specified combatant commands is fully commensurate with the responsibility of those commanders for the accomplishment of missions assigned to their commands;
5. to increase attention to the formulation of strategy and to contingency planning;
6. to provide for more efficient use of defense resources;
7. to improve joint officer management policies; and
8. otherwise to enhance the effectiveness of military operations and improve the management and administration of the Department of Defense."
9. The key among these changes was vesting overall responsibility for the development of joint doctrine with a single individual, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
   

6. List and explain the seven general functions of a Combatant Commander.

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 as delineated in chapter 6, title 10, US Code.

7. Explain the basic organizational structure of a joint force including, the difference between functional responsibility and service components.

Organizing Joint Forces. 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.

All joint forces include Service component commands because administrative and logistic support for joint forces are provided through Service component commands.

The JFC can establish functional component commands to conduct operations. Functional component commands can be appropriate when forces from two or more Military Departments must operate in the same dimension or medium or there is a need to accomplish a distinct aspect of the assigned mission. Joint force land, air, maritime, and special operations component commanders are examples of functional components. (NOTE: Functional component commands are component commands of a joint force and do not constitute a "joint force" with the authorities and responsibilities of a joint force as described in this document even when composed of forces from two or more Military Departments.) Most often, joint forces are organized with a combination of Service and functional component commands with operational responsibilities. Joint forces organized with Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps components will have special operations forces (if assigned) organized as a functional component. The JFC defines the authority and responsibilities of the Service and functional component commanders; however, the Service responsibilities (i.e., administrative and logistic) of the components must be given due consideration by the JFC.

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.

Joint doctrine offers a common perspective from which to plan and operate, and fundamentally shapes the way we think about and train for war. Though neither policy nor strategy, joint doctrine deals with the fundamental issue of how best to employ the national military power to achieve strategic ends. As such, it represents authoritative guidance for the joint employment of the Armed Forces. A large body of joint doctrine has been and is being developed by the Armed Forces of the United States through the combined effort of the Joint Staff, Services, and combatant commands.

Directive is - A military communication in which policy is established or a specific action is ordered. 2. A plan issued with a view to putting it into effect when so directed, or in the event that a stated contingency arises.

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.

Capstone Documents: JP 1 - Joint Warfare, JP 0-2 - UNAFF
Keystone: JP 1-0 - Personnel and Administration, JP 2-0 - Intel, JP 3-0 - Operations, JP 4-0 - Logistics, JP 5-0 - Plans, JP 6-0 - C4 Systems.

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?

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 is dissolved by the proper authority when the purpose for which it was created has been achieved or when it is no longer required. b. The authority establishing a JTF designates the commander and assigns the mission and forces.

The commander of a JTF exercises OPCON over assigned and normally over attached forces. The commander is responsible for making recommendations to the superior commander on the proper employment of assigned and attached forces and for accomplishing such operational missions as may be assigned by the establishing commander.