Command Red Team

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COMMANDER’S OVERVIEW
• Provides an Introduction to Command Red Team
• Explains Command Red Team Organization
• Describes Red Team Challenges
• Addresses Red Team Activities
• Covers the Red Team’s Role in Joint Planning
• Discusses the Relationship between Red Team and Joint Intelligence
Introduction to Command Red Team
The command red team is a
decision support element that
provides an independent
capability to fully explore
alternatives in plans, operations,
and intelligence analysis.
The Command Red Team and
Complementary Analytical
Efforts
Command red teams help commanders and staffs
think critically and creatively; challenge
assumptions; mitigate groupthink; reduce risks by
serving as a check against complacency and
surprise; and increase opportunities by helping the
staff see situations, problems, and potential
solutions from alternative perspectives.
The distinguishing feature of a command red team
from alternative analysis produced by subject
matter experts within the intelligence directorate
of a joint staff is its relative independence, which
isolates it from the organizational influences that
can unintentionally shape intelligence analysis,
such as the human tendency for analysts to
maintain amicable relations with colleagues and
supervisors, and the potential for regular
coordination processes to normalize divergent
assessments. Commanders can seek the
perspectives of trusted advisors regarding any
issue of concern. A command red team may also
address similar issues, but unlike most
commander’s advisory/action groups, it supports
the commander’s staff throughout the design,
planning, execution, and assessment of
operations, and during routine problem-solving
initiatives throughout the headquarters. Red
teams and tiger teams may be ad hoc and address
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