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

Chapter I
action focused on national objectives and leads to common solutions to national security
challenges.
d. Jointness and the Joint Force. The Armed Forces of the United States have
embraced “jointness” as their fundamental organizing construct at all echelons. Jointness
implies cross-Service combination wherein the capability of the joint force is understood to
be synergistic, with the sum greater than its parts (the capability of individual components).
Some shared military activities are less joint than are “common;” in this usage “common”
simply means mutual, shared, or overlapping capabilities or activities between two or more
Services.
(1) Fundamentally, joint forces require high levels of interoperability and systems
that are conceptualized and designed with joint architectures and acquisition strategies. This
level of interoperability reduces technical, doctrinal, and cultural barriers that limit the ability
of JFCs to achieve objectives. The goal is to employ joint forces effectively across the range
of military operations (ROMO).
(2) All Service components contribute their distinct capabilities to the joint force;
however, their interdependence is critical to overall joint effectiveness. Joint
interdependence is the purposeful reliance by one Service on another Service’s capabilities to
maximize complementary and reinforcing effects of both (i.e., synergy), the degree of
interdependence varying with specific circumstances.
(3) The synergy that results from the operations of joint forces maximizes the
capability of the force. The JFC has the operational authority and responsibility to tailor
forces for the mission at hand, selecting those that most effectively and efficiently ensure
success.
(4) The joint force is a values based organization. The character, professionalism
and values of our military leaders have proven to be vital for operational success. See
Appendix B, “Character, Professionalism, and Values,” for an expanded discussion of
values.
For a more detailed explanation of the ROMO, see paragraph 9, “Instruments of National
Power and the Range of Military Operations.”
2. War
a. War can result from failure of states to resolve their disputes by diplomatic means.
Some philosophers see it as an extension of human nature. Thomas Hobbes stated that
man’s nature leads him to fight for personal gain, safety, or reputation. Thucydides said
nearly the same thing in a different order, citing fear, honor, and interest as the common
causes for interstate conflict.
b. Individuals, groups, organizations, cultures, and nations all have interests.
Inevitably, some of those interests conflict with the interests of other individuals, groups,
organizations, cultures, and nations. Nearly all international and interpersonal relationships
are based on power and self-interests manifested through politics. Nations exercise their
I-2 JP 1