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

CHAPTER I
THEORY AND FOUNDATIONS
“Doctrine provides a military organization with a common philosophy, a common
language, a common purpose, and a unity of effort.”
General George H. Decker, US Army Chief of Staff, 1960-1962
1. Fundamentals
SECTION A. THEORY
a. This publication provides overarching guidance and fundamental principles for the
employment of the Armed Forces of the United States. It is the capstone publication of the
US joint doctrine hierarchy and it provides an overview for the development of other joint
service doctrine publications. It is a bridge between policy and doctrine and describes
authorized command relationships and authority that military commanders use and other
operational matters derived from Title 10, United States Code (USC).
b. The purpose of joint doctrine is to enhance the operational effectiveness of joint
forces by providing fundamental principles that guide the employment of US military forces
toward a common objective. With the exception of Joint Publication (JP) 1, joint doctrine
will not establish policy. However, the use of joint doctrine standardizes terminology,
training, relationships, responsibilities, and processes among all US forces to free joint force
commanders (JFCs) and their staffs to focus their efforts on solving strategic, operational,
and tactical problems. Using historical analysis of the employment of the military
instrument of national power in operations and contemporary lessons, these fundamental
principles represent what is taught, believed, and advocated as what works best to achieve
national objectives.
c. As a nation, the US wages war employing all instruments of national power—
diplomatic, informational, military, and economic. The President employs the Armed Forces
of the United States to achieve national strategic objectives. The Armed Forces of the
United States conduct military operations as a joint force. “Joint” connotes activities in
which elements of two or more Military Departments participate. Joint matters relate to the
integrated employment of US military forces in joint operations, including matters relating
to:
(1) National military strategy (NMS).
(2) Deliberate and crisis action planning.
(3) Command and control (C2) of joint operations.
(4) Unified action with Department of Defense (DOD) and interagency partners.
The capacity of the Armed Forces of the United States to operate as a cohesive joint team is
a key advantage in any operational environment. Unity of effort facilitates decisive unified
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