FM 3-0 (Operations) Roll Out
It looks like the updated FM 3-0, Operations, will be released at the end of February 2008. Some of the areas in the manual with major changes include:
- Operational Concept
- Stability Operations Construct
- Information Operations Construct
- Warfighting Functions
- Spectrum of Conflict
- Defeat and Stability Mechanisms
- Joint Interdependence
- The Operational Environment
- Modular Forces
Chapter 3 of the new FM 3-0 describes the Operational Concept:
“The Army’s operational concept is the core of its doctrine. It must be uniformly known and understood within the Service...”
- Army forces combine offensive, defensive, and stability or civil support operations simultaneously as part of an interdependent Joint force to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative, accepting prudent risk to create opportunities to achieve decisive results.
- They employ synchronized action – lethal and nonlethal – proportional to the mission, and informed by a thorough understanding of all variables of the operational environment.
- Mission command that conveys intent and an appreciation of all aspects of the situation guides the adaptive use of Army forces.
The manual will have a combination of "evolutionary" and "revolutionary" concepts --
While this doctrine may be evolutionary, its impact on the force and the application of the doctrine will be revolutionary.
Some aspects are evolutionary (strategic context, operational environment, full spectrum operations, command and control, etc.).
Other aspects are revolutionary (stability operations co-equal with offense and defense, emphasis on information engagement, requirements for leaders to be competent with both lethal and non-lethal (soft power) applications of combat power).
It should be an interesting read...
You have to remember, Wilf, we have a dangerous
Quote:
Originally Posted by
William F. Owen
I'll confessed to being intrigued with how they will interrelate all these headings in a way that creates a coherent and useful doctrine. EG: What is the difference between a "Construct" and a "Mechanism". I understand the semantic difference, but am very curious to see how it pans out.
(and I mean a very dangerous in the true sense of the word) penchant for picking up jazzy and essentially meaningless terms from the MBA community -- to our lasting detriment. :D
We taught them most of what we knew and had learned from WW II and now we get to buy it back (literally through really expensive contracts and consultancies) from them. Embarrassing.
Final FM 3-0 approved - Rewrite of Chpt 7
There was a rewrite of chpt 7. The following description was sent to me on v. 9.
Quote:
Version 9 essentially relegates the G7 (FA 30) to message management focused on influencing local audiences (primarily
non-combatants). The primary focus of that being the "linking" of actions to messages, by means of COMCAM, DSPD and Strategic Communications themes, messages, products and activities in order to maintain consistency in both deeds and words. PSYOP, although an integrating responsibility of the G7 Information Engagement Section, is first and foremost focused on the enemy, adversary and other combatant forces in addition to foreign audiences and is conducted in order to "influence" select targets and audiences. The remainder of traditional IO is distributed across the staff with the majority of tasks assigned to the G-/S-3. Overall integration / synchronization responsibility remains the job of the chief of staff executed through the operations officer by means of other coordinating staff officers and functional cells. The processes and techniques that will be required to ensure IO is fully coordinated across the staff are in effect TBD as FM 3.0 defers the more detailed discussions as to exactly how IO is integrated, coordinated and executed to FM 3-13 to sort through.
If you are interested and work in the Puzzle Palace, I can show you a copy.
I have Chpt 7, FM 3-0 Information Superiority
I have it uploaded to AKO. Not sure how to have all you AKO/DKO users view it.