JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States - Defense ...

Executive Summary
The national defense strategy (NDS), signed by
Secretary of Defense (SecDef), outlines DOD’s approach
to implementing the President’s NSS.
The National Military Strategy, signed by the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), supports the aims of
the NSS and implements the NDS. It describes the
Armed Forces’ plan to achieve military objectives in the
near term and provides a vision for maintaining a force
capable of meeting future challenges.
The GEF provides Presidential and SecDef politicomilitary
guidance. The GEF is guided by the Unified
Command Plan (UCP) and NDS and forms the basis for
strategic policy guidance, campaign plans, and the Joint
Strategic Capabilities Plan.
The National Response Framework, developed by the
Department of Homeland Security, establishes a
comprehensive, national-level, all-hazards, all-discipline
approach to domestic incident management.
Unified Action
Roles and Functions
Chain of Command
Unified action synchronizes, coordinates, and/or
integrates joint, single-Service, and multinational
operations with the operations of other USG departments
and agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs),
intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) (e.g., the United
Nations), and the private sector to achieve unity of
effort. Unity of command within the military instrument
of national power supports the national strategic
direction through close coordination with the other
instruments of national power. The CJCS and all CCDRs
are in pivotal positions to facilitate the planning and
conduct of unified actions in accordance with the
guidance and direction received from the President and
SecDef in coordination with other authorities (i.e.,
multinational leadership).
Roles are the broad and enduring purposes for which the
Services and the combatant commands (CCMDs) were
established in law. Functions are the appropriate
assigned duties, responsibilities, missions, or tasks of an
individual, office, or organization.
The President and SecDef exercise authority, direction,
and control of the Armed Forces through two distinct
branches of the chain of C2. One branch runs from the
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