Commander's Handbook for an Effects-Based Approach to Joint Operations

Various paginations. Illustrations (some in color). Cover has slight wear and soiling. The majority of this handbook provides the techniques and procedures of an effects-based approach to planning, executing, and assessing joint operations against a joint doctrine baseline. Chapter I introduces the effects-based approach in a joint context. Chapter II discussed how to enhance situational awareness through a systems perspective of the operational environment. Chapter III covers the details of the effects-based approach to planning. chapter IV discusses how the development of effects during planning can enhance the joint for commander's (JFC) flexibility and adaptation during execution, particularly with regard to assessing progress toward achieving operations and strategic objectives. And Chapter V summarizes the way ahead--initiatives and requirements related to the continued development of an effects-based approach. Finally Appendices A, B,C, and the Glossary provide, respectively, organizational implications, a sample order that incorporates effects, references to source documents, and a compendium of abbreviations and definitions. During the past four years, members of the joint community have continued to evolve their understanding of "effects" and related aspects of an effects-based approach to joint operations. This evolution has been accompanied by both healthy debate and practical application, which we believe are critical to vetting new ideas properly before we accept them in joint doctrine. Organizations are using these constructs today, to varying degrees, in many ongoing joint and Service operations. An effects-based approach has been promoted in combatant commands by their Standing Joint Force Headquarters, and is being incorporated as "best practices" in major exercises. Headquarters deployed for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere have received training on the methodology and are applying effects-related ideas. As US Joint Forces Command continues to interact with combatant commands and Services, we recognize that there is not universal agreement on the specific use of effects and related ideas. We have developed this handbook to provide our perspective and a common, practical baseline for continuing this evolution. While we believe it contains "best practices," this handbook is not doctrine. But it is an important predoctrinal product that will help us capture value-added ideas for incorporation in emerging joint doctrine. In sum, this handbook was developed for joint force commanders and their staffs to advance the conduct of joint operations. Scope: This handbook is a pre-doctrinal document on "an effects-based approach to joint operations." It provides the fundamental principles, procedures, and techniques that are evolving in the joint community and being incorporated in joint publications. This handbook serves as a bridge between the joint prototype and its migration into doctrine. As such, it is intended to inform doctrine writers, educators, and trainers of effects-based ideas for inclusion in joint doctrine, education, and training. 2. Purpose: This publication is a product of United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) and more specifically, the Joint Warfighting Center (JWFC), the Standing Joint Force Headquarters (Standards and Readiness), (SJFHQ/S&R), and the Joint Experimentation Directorate (J-9). It represents a collaborative effort to provide a common baseline for an effects-based approach to joint operations that fills the existing void between evolving transformational concepts and published joint doctrine. This handbook presents well developed definitions that have been harmonized with current and evolving joint doctrine and discusses those "best practices" that have "proven value" during ongoing military operations, exercises, and experimentation. In short, this handbook is a response to the request of many potential joint and Service users for a definitive publication on "how" e. …