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

Executive Summary
Relationship Between
Combatant Commanders,
Military Department
Secretaries, Service Chiefs,
and Forces
Interagency Coordination
Multinational Operations
Operations conducted by
forces of two or more nations
are termed “multinational
operations.”
The Services and United States Special Operations
Command (USSOCOM) (in areas unique to special
operations [SO]) share the division of responsibility for
developing military capabilities for the CCMDs. Unified
action demands maximum interoperability. The forces,
units, and systems of all Services must operate together
effectively, in part through interoperability. CCDRs will
ensure maximum interoperability and identify
interoperability issues to the CJCS, who has overall
responsibility for the joint interoperability program.
Interagency coordination is the cooperation and
communication that occurs between departments and
agencies of the USG, including DOD, to accomplish an
objective. CCDRs and subordinate joint force
commanders (JFCs) must consider the potential
requirements for interagency, IGO, and NGO
coordination as a part of their activities within and
outside of their operational areas. Unity of effort can
only be achieved through close, continuous interagency
and interdepartmental coordination and cooperation,
which are necessary to overcome discord, inadequate
structure and procedures, incompatible communications,
cultural differences, and bureaucratic and personnel
limitations.
Much of the information and guidance provided for
unified action and joint operations are applicable to
multinational operations. However, differences in laws,
doctrine, organization, weapons, equipment, terminology,
culture, politics, religion, and language within alliances
and coalitions must be considered. Attaining unity of
effort through unity of command for a multinational
operation may not be politically feasible, but it should be
a goal. A coordinated policy, particularly on such
matters as multinational force commanders’ authority
over national logistics (including infrastructure), rules of
engagement, fratricide prevention, and intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is essential for
unity of effort.
Functions of the Department of Defense and Its Major Components
Organization in
Department of Defense
SecDef is the principal assistant to the President in all
matters relating to DOD. DOD is composed of the
Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military
Departments, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the Joint
xv