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

Joint Force Development
4. Joint Doctrine
Joint doctrine provides the fundamental principles that guide the employment of US
military forces in coordinated action toward a common objective. It also provides
authoritative guidance from which joint operations are planned and executed.
a. Joint Doctrine Fundamentals
(1) Joint doctrine is based on extant capabilities (i.e., current force structures and
materiel). It incorporates time-tested principles of joint operations, operational art, and
elements of operational design. Joint doctrine standardizes terminology, relationships,
responsibilities, and processes among all US forces to free JFCs and their staffs to focus
efforts on solving the complex problems confronting them.
For more discussion of the principles of joint operations, see JP 3-0, Joint Operations. For
more discussion of operational art and operational design, see JP 5-0, Joint Operation
Planning.
(2) Joint doctrine is authoritative guidance and will be followed except when,
in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise.
Doctrine does not replace or alter a commander’s authority and obligation to determine the
proper COA under the circumstances prevailing at the time of decision; such judgments are
the responsibility of the commander. Joint doctrine is not dogmatic—the focus is on how to
think about operations, not what to think about operations. It is definitive enough to guide
operations while versatile enough to accommodate a wide variety of situations. Joint
doctrine should foster initiative, creativity, and conditions that allow commanders the
freedom to adapt to varying circumstances. The judgment of the commander based upon
the situation is always paramount.
(3) Joint doctrine applies to the Joint Staff, CCDRs, subordinate unified
commanders, JTF commanders, and subordinate component commanders of these
commands, the Services, and CSAs. In developing joint doctrine, existing Service, multi-
Service, and multinational doctrine is considered. However, joint doctrine takes
precedence over individual Service’s doctrine, which must be consistent with joint
doctrine. Joint doctrine should not include detail that is more appropriate in Service
doctrine, standing operating procedures, plans, and other publications. If conflicts arise
between the contents of joint doctrine and the contents of Service or multi-Service doctrine,
joint doctrine takes precedence for the activities of joint forces unless CJCS has provided
more current and specific guidance.
(4) Joint doctrine is not policy. Policy and doctrine are closely related, but they
fundamentally fill separate requirements. Policy can direct, assign tasks, prescribe desired
capabilities, and provide guidance for ensuring the Armed Forces of the United States are
prepared to perform their assigned roles; implicitly policy can create new roles and a
requirement for new capabilities. Most often, policy drives doctrine; however, on occasion,
an extant capability will require policy to be created. As doctrine reflects extant capabilities,
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