TP525-3-1

TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-1
Army forces also reinforce the capacity of joint, interorganizational, and multinational partners
and ensure their ability to sustain efforts for the duration necessary to accomplish the mission.
(6) Lethality. Lethality is the ability to kill or cause physical destruction and is essential to
fighting and winning battles. Army forces defeat or destroy opponents quickly with
combinations of skilled Soldiers, well-trained teams, and superior weapons. Army leaders seek
overmatch in close combat while applying firepower with discipline and discrimination.
Precision firepower, effective training, and commitment to Army values allow Soldiers to
destroy the enemy while minimizing risk to non-combatants. 46
(7) Mobility. Mobility is the capability that permits military forces to gain positions of
relative advantage, conduct high tempo operations, and concentrate combat power against
decisive points while operating dispersed across wide areas. Army forces possess strategic,
operational, and tactical mobility. At the strategic and operational levels, joint mobility requires
airlift and sealift to move Army forces. When combined with firepower and protection, mobility
at the tactical level allows Army units to gain positions of relative advantage and overmatch the
enemy in close combat.
(8) Innovation. Innovation is the result of critical and creative thinking and the conversion
of new ideas into valued outcomes. Innovation drives the development of new tools or methods
that permit Army forces to anticipate future demands, stay ahead of determined enemies, and
accomplish the mission. Innovation is particularly important in organizations that develop
capabilities as well as those that train, equip, and sustain forces.
b. Core competencies. Core competencies are the Army’s strengths, strategic advantages, and
essential contributions to the Joint Force. Core competencies provide focus for leader
development, force design, and unit training. Understanding and excelling at these core
competencies allow Army leaders to contribute to mission success across the range of military
operations. The Army core competencies are summarized below.
(1) Shape the security environment. Army forces provide unique capabilities that allow
combatant commanders to reassure partners and deter aggression while establishing conditions
that support the potential employment of joint forces. These capabilities include special
operations forces, regionally aligned forces, and partnered U.S. Army Reserve and Army
National Guard forces. Special operations forces provide capabilities that assist partners with
internal defense as well as developing the capabilities needed to deter potential enemies.
Regionally aligned forces develop relationships with and strengthen partner land forces, share
intelligence, increase cultural awareness, and conduct bilateral and multilateral military
exercises. Reserve forces, through efforts such as the State Partnership Program, provide unique
dual-trained Soldiers who apply special skills from their civilian backgrounds to assist in medical
and engineering activities, disaster preparedness, and critical infrastructure and resource
protection. 47 Together, these efforts allow the Army to maintain a global landpower network that
is critical to preventing conflict and, when necessary, winning wars. While the ability to shape
security environments through the threat of punitive action will remain important, Army forces
conduct positive actions essential to reassuring allies, influencing neutrals, and dissuading
adversaries.
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