Joint Operating Concept (JOC) - GlobalSecurity.org
Joint Operating Concept (JOC) - GlobalSecurity.org
Joint Operating Concept (JOC) - GlobalSecurity.org
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<br />
Irregular warfare (IW) is defined as a violent struggle among state and nonstate<br />
actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations. IW favors<br />
indirect and asymmetric approaches, though it may employ the full range of<br />
military and other capabilities, in order to erode an adversary’s power, influence,<br />
and will. It is inherently a protracted struggle that will test the resolve of our<br />
Nation and our strategic partners.<br />
Our adversaries will pursue IW strategies, employing a hybrid of irregular,<br />
disruptive, traditional, and catastrophic capabilities to undermine and erode the<br />
influence and will of the United States and our strategic partners. Meeting these<br />
challenges and combating this approach will require the concerted efforts of all<br />
available instruments of US national power.<br />
Influencing foreign governments and populations is a complex and<br />
inherently political activity. This <strong>Joint</strong> <strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Concept</strong> (<strong>JOC</strong>) describes the<br />
military role in protracted IW campaigns; however, these campaigns will fail if<br />
waged by military means alone. The nature of IW requires the US Government<br />
(USG) to achieve the level of unified action necessary to integrate all available<br />
instruments of national power to address irregular threats. The USG will have to<br />
develop “Whole of Government” approaches to waging IW at the political,<br />
strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Other government agencies must build<br />
their capacity to operate in unstable or hostile environments.<br />
Irregular warfare is about people, not platforms. IW depends not just on<br />
our military prowess, but also our understanding of such social dynamics as<br />
tribal politics, social networks, religious influences, and cultural mores. People,<br />
not platforms and advanced technology, will be the key to IW success. The joint<br />
force will need patient, persistent, and culturally savvy people to build the local<br />
relationships and partnerships essential to executing IW.<br />
Waging protracted irregular warfare depends on building global capability<br />
and capacity. IW will not be won by the United States alone, but rather<br />
through the combined efforts of our partners. This will require the joint force to<br />
establish long-term sustained presence in numerous countries to build the<br />
necessary partner capability and capacity to extend US operational reach,<br />
multiply forces available, and increase options for defeating our adversaries.<br />
This <strong>JOC</strong> describes how future joint force commanders will accomplish<br />
strategic objectives through the conduct of protracted IW on a global or regional<br />
scale. It identifies capabilities and capacities required to successfully prosecute<br />
IW. Many of the ideas advocated in this <strong>JOC</strong> are drawn from best practices of<br />
current conflicts and history. A synopsis of the logic and key elements of the IW<br />
<strong>JOC</strong> are depicted in the following figure:<br />
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