JOINT ANALYSIS LESSONS LEARNED CENTRE NATO'S LEAD AGENT JOINT ANALYSIS

Within the NATO Command Structure
Notes
Allied Command Transformation and Allied Command Operations
The NATO LL Policy (Reference A) assigns ACT the lead for the NATO
LL process at the strategic command level and below. ACO has the lead
for the output of the NATO LL process from the planning and execution
of operations and military exercises. The Strategic Commanders (SC)
are also responsible for bringing appropriate lessons to the attention of
the MC and ensuring they are reflected in their submissions to the NATO
Defence Planning Process.
The Bi-SC Directive 080-006 LL (Reference C) establishes that ACT and
ACO coordinate the endorsement and tasking of remedial actions at the
strategic level. If the tasking authority resides within ACT or ACO, the
appropriate SC tasks the action body and monitors progress. If the
action body is outside the SCs, a request for action on the issue is
submitted to NATO HQ either by the responsible SC or as a Bi-SC
request.
HQ SACT
The focal point at HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
(SACT) for all matters relating to the LL process is the Innovation
Doctrine and Lessons Learned (IDLL) Branch under Assistant Chief of
Staff Capability Engineering & Innovation (CEI). The IDLL Branch
represents ACT at the Bi-SC LL Steering Group. HQ SACT tasks its
analysis resources to support transformation of the Alliance. Of these,
JALLC is the principal analysis resource in ACT—and in the NATO
Command Structure as a whole—for conducting analysis that supports
learning from operations, exercises and training events.
SHAPE
The focal point at SHAPE for all matters relating to the LL process is the
Policy and Lessons Learned Branch under Assistant Chief of Staff J7
Force Preparation and Evaluation with the SHAPE Plans Directorate.
This branch coordinates the internal staffing of LL reports and proposes
Action Body tasking to SHAPE Chief of Staff. Remedial Actions that
exceed SHAPE’s capacity or scope are forwarded to NATO HQ or HQ
SACT. SHAPE Force Standards and LL Branch represents ACO in the
Bi-SC LL Steering Group. SHAPE also receives and reviews lessons
forwarded by the Joint Force Commands (JFC).
Joint Force Commands and Component Commands
The Joint Force Commands (JFC) and Single Service Commands (SSC)
create and maintain their own LL directives and Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP). When an LI Remedial Action falls under their remit,
the JFC/SSC endorses the LI and develops an internal action plan to
remedy deficiencies. The JFC/SSC implements Remedial Actions as
tasked by SHAPE. Biannually, JFCs/SSCs report LI to SHAPE in the
lesson template format described in Chapter 3 and Annex B. Lessons
reported to SHAPE include those with potential applicability to other
commands or organizations, and those where the Remedial Action is
beyond the capacity or scope of the JFC/SSC. If an LI is determined to
need urgent attention, the JFC/SSC immediately reports the LI to
SHAPE for action. (Reference D).
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