Guide to Joint, Multinational & Interorganizational Operations

JFODS5-1 is Change 1 to our fifth revised edition of The Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook. In addition to new/updated material from the latest editions of JP 3-0 Joint Operations (w/Change 1, Oct ‘18), JP 4-0 Joint Logistics (Feb ‘19), JP 3-33 Joint Task Force Headquarters (Jan ‘18), and JP 3-16 Multinational Operations (Mar ‘19), JFODS5-1 features a completely new chapter on Joint Air, Land, Maritime and Special Operations (JPs 3-30, 3-31, 3-32 & 3-05). Additional topics and references include JP 1 Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States (w/Change 1, Jul ‘17), JP 5-0 Joint Planning (Jun ’17), and JP 3-08 Interorganizational Cooperation (val. Oct ‘17).

The nature of the challenges to the United States and its interests demand that the Armed Forces operate as a fully integrated joint team across the conflict continuum.

Joint operations are military actions conducted by joint forces and those Service forces employed in specified command relationships with each other, which of themselves do not establish joint forces. The potential range of military activities and operations extends from military engagement, security cooperation, and deterrence in times of relative peace up through major operations and campaigns that typically involve large-scale combat.

Joint planning is the deliberate process of determining how (the ways) to use military capabilities (the means) in time and space to achieve objectives (the ends) while considering the associated risks.

Joint logistics is the coordinated use, synchronization, and sharing of two or more Military Departments’ logistics resources to support the joint force. Sustainment provides the joint force commanders freedom of action, endurance, and the ability to extend operational reach.

A joint task force (JTF) is established when the scope, complexity, or other factors of the contingency or crisis require capabilities of Services from at least two Military Departments operating under a single joint force commander.

Achieving national strategic objectives requires effective unified action resulting in unity of effort -- to include interagency, intergovernmental, nongovernmental and multinational partners. This is accomplished by interorganizational cooperation, synchronization, and coordination in the use of the diplomatic, informational, military, and economic instruments of national power.

Planning for Planners (JIA1-3 / Third Edition)

JIA1-3 is the new third edition of our Joint/Interagency SMARTbook 1: Joint Strategic & Operational Planning (Planning for Planners), completely reorganized and updated with the latest joint publications for 2023 to include JP 3-0 Joint Campaigns and Operations (2022) and JP 5-0 Joint Planning (2020). At 420-pgs, JIA1-3 is designed to give the reader a thorough understanding of the joint planning and execution process, where the joint planning process (JPP) resides. Topics and chapters include planning fundamentals (strategic organization, campaigning & contingency plans, sequencing actions), planning functions (planning and plans, operational activities, planning functions), global force management (GFM overview and processes, force identification and sourcing, force planning), joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment (JIPOE), intelligence preparation of the information environment (IPIE), joint planning process (JPP), plan and order development (process, review, assessment), execution functions, and annexes.

The dawn of the 21st Century presents an increasingly complex global security environment. Within this environment United States national interest, citizens, and territories are threatened by regional instability, failed states, increased weapons proliferation, global terrorism, unconventional threats and challenges from adversaries in every operating domain. If we are to be successful as a nation, we must embrace the realities of this environment and operate with clarity from within. It is this setting that mandates a flexible, adaptive approach to planning and an ever-greater cooperation between all the elements of national power, supported by and coordinated with that of our allies and various intergovernmental, nongovernmental and regional security organizations. It is within this chaotic environment that planners will craft their trade.

Joint/Interagency SMARTbook 1: Joint Strategic & Operational Planning (Planning for Planners), 3rd Edition (JIA1-3), was developed to assist planners at all levels in understanding how to plan within this environment utilizing the Joint Planning Process (JPP); an orderly, logical, analytical progression enabling planners to sequentially follow it to a rational conclusion. By utilizing this planning process, which is conceptually easy to understand and applicable in all environments, any plan can come to life. Paramount to planning is flexibility. The ultimate aspiration of this book is to help develop flexible planners who can cope with the inevitable changes that occur during the planning process in any environment.

Planning for Planners has been utilized since 2007 by war colleges, joint staffs, Services, combatant commands and allies as a step-by-step guide to understanding the complex world of global planning and force management.

Guide to Information Operations & the IRCs

Over the past two decades, information operations (IO) has gone through a number of doctrinal evolutions, explained, in part, by the rapidly changing nature of information, its flow, processing, dissemination, impact and, in particular, its military employment. INFO1: The Information Operations & Capabilities SMARTbook examines the most current doctrinal references available and charts a path to emerging doctrine.

INFO1 chapters and topics include information operations (IO defined and described), information in joint operations (joint IO), information-related capabilities (public affairs, civil affairs and civil military operations, military deception, military information support operations, operations security, cyberspace electromagnetic activities, cyberspace operations, electronic warfare, space operations, special technical operations, & additional IRCs), information planning (IRC synchronization, information environment analysis, IPB, MDMP, JPP), information preparation, information execution (IO working group, IO weighted efforts and enabling activities, intel support), fires & targeting, and information assessment.

Information is a resource. As a resource, it must be obtained, developed, refined, distributed, and protected. The information element of combat power is integral to optimizing combat power, particularly given the increasing relevance of operations in and through the information environment to achieve decisive outcomes.

Information Operations (IO) is the integrated employment, during military operations, of information-related capabilities in concert with other lines of operation to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own. The purpose of IO is to create effects in and through the information environment that provide commanders decisive advantage over enemies and adversaries.

The joint force commander (JFC) leverages informational aspects of military activities to gain an advantage; failing to leverage those aspects may cede this advantage to others. Leveraging the informational aspects of military activities ultimately affects strategic outcomes. The joint force attacks and exploits information, information networks, and systems to affect the ability of relevant actors to leverage information in support of their own objectives. This includes the manipulation, modification, or destruction of information or disruption of the flow of information for the purpose of gaining a position of military advantage. This also includes targeting the credibility of information.

An information-related capability (IRC) is a tool, technique, or activity employed within a dimension of the information environment that can be used to create effects and operationally desirable conditions. IO brings together information-related capabilities (IRCs) at a specific time and in a coherent fashion to create effects in and through the information environment that advance the ability to deliver operational advantage to the commander.

Multi-Domain Guide to Offensive/Defensive CEMA and CO

CYBER1-1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (w/SMARTupdate 1*) (Multi-Domain Guide to Offensive/Defensive CEMA and CO) topics and chapters include cyber intro (global threat, contemporary operating environment, information as a joint function), joint cyberspace operations (CO), cyberspace operations (OCO/DCO/DODIN), electromagnetic warfare (EW) operations, cyber & EW (CEMA) planning, spectrum management operations (SMO/JEMSO), DoD information network (DODIN) operations, acronyms/abbreviations, and a cross-referenced glossary of cyber terms.

*SMARTupdate 1 to CYBER1 (Aug ‘21) updates the first printing of CYBER1: The Cyberspace Operations & Electronic Warfare SMARTbook (Oct ‘19) by incorporating new material from FM 3-12, Cyberspace Operations and Electromagnetic Warfare (Aug ‘21), ATP 3-12.3, Electronic Warfare Techniques (Jul ‘19), ATP 6-02.70, Techniques for Spectrum Management Operations (Oct ‘19), JP 3-85, Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations (May ‘20) and adding a new section on Cyberspace IPB (ATP 2-01.3, Jul ‘19). (Readers of the original/base CYBER1 can obtain SMARTupdate 1 at www.thelightningpress.com/smartupdates/)

United States armed forces operate in an increasingly network-based world. The proliferation of information technologies is changing the way humans interact with each other and their environment, including interactions during military operations. This broad and rapidly changing operational environment requires that today’s armed forces must operate in cyberspace and leverage an electromagnetic spectrum that is increasingly competitive, congested, and contested.

Cyberspace is a global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures and resident data, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers. Operations in cyberspace contribute to gaining a significant operational advantage for achieving military objectives.

Cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA) are activities leveraged to seize, retain, and exploit an advantage over adversaries and enemies in both cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum, while simultaneously denying and degrading adversary and enemy use of the same and protecting the mission command system (ADRP 3-0). CEMA consist of cyberspace operations, electronic warfare, and spectrum management operations.

Cyberspace operations (CO) are the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace (JP 3-0). Cyberspace operations consist of three functions: offensive cyberspace operations, defensive cyberspace operations, and Department of Defense information network operations.

Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) (formerly "electronic" warfare) is military action involving the use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy. EW consists of three functions: electromagnetic attack, electromagnetic protection, and electromagnetic support.

Spectrum management operations (SMO) are the interrelated functions of spectrum management, frequency assignment, host-nation coordination, and policy that enable the planning, management, and execution of operations within the electromagnetic operational environment during all phases of military operations. SMO are the management portions of electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). EMSO also include electronic warfare.

Department of Defense information network (DODIN) operations are operations to secure, configure, operate, extend, maintain, and sustain DOD cyberspace.

Cybersecurity ensures the confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and nonrepudiation of friendly information and information systems while denying adversaries access to the same information and information systems. Cybersecurity incorporates actions taken to protect, monitor, analyze, detect, and respond to unauthorized activity on DOD information systems and computer networks.

Guide to Terrorism, Hybrid and Emerging Threats

CTS1: The Counterterrorism, WMD & Hybrid Threat SMARTbook topics and chapters include: the terrorist threat (characteristics, goals & objectives, organization, state-sponsored, international, and domestic), hybrid and future threats (forces, organization, operations & tactics), forms of terrorism (tactics, techniques, & procedures), counterterrorism (strategy, fundamentals, command, planning, and operations) critical infrastructure (identifying weaknesses, risk management, and cyber threats), protection (warfighting function, supporting tasks, and planning), countering WMD (WMD weapons, planning, and execution), and consequence management (all hazards response, domestic, international and DoD-led CM).

* This is the second printing of CTS1 (Jul 2017), incorporating an updated DNI World Threat Assessment and additional materials from START/GTD. An asterisk marks changed pages.

Terrorism has evolved as a preferred tactic for ideological extremists around the world, directly or indirectly affecting millions of people. Terrorists use many forms of unlawful violence or threats of violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies to further a variety of political, social, criminal, economic, and religious ideologies. Terrorists threaten the national power, sovereignty, and interests of the United States and our allies. Terrorists organize and operate in a number of ways. Some operate within transnational networks, others operate as small independent groups, and others operate alone.

A hybrid threat is the diverse and dynamic combination of regular forces, irregular forces, and/or criminal elements all unified to achieve mutually-benefiting effects. Hybrid threats are innovative, adaptive, globally connected, networked, and embedded in the clutter of local populations. They can operate conventionally and unconventionally, employing adaptive and asymmetric combinations of traditional, irregular, and criminal tactics and using traditional military capabilities in old and new ways.

Counterterrorism activities and operations are taken to neutralize terrorists, their organizations, and networks in order to render them incapable of using violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies to achieve their goals. The purpose of CT is to disrupt, isolate, and dismantle terrorist organizations and networks to render them incapable of striking the homeland, US facilities and personnel, or US interests abroad. CT also includes crisis response operations to respond to imminent terrorist threats or incidents when preemption and preclusion are not successful. In addition to increasing law enforcement capabilities for counterterrorism, the United States, like many nations, has developed specialized, but limited, military CT capabilities.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) weapons or devices capable of a high order of destruction and/or causing mass casualties. The terrorist threat is amplified by the proliferation of WMD and their potential use by terrorists. The existence of these materials and the potential for use by actors of concern precipitates the need to plan, prepare for, and counter their use.

Critical infrastructure is a term used by governments to describe assets that are essential for the functioning of a society and economy - the infrastructure. Protection is the preservation of the effectiveness and survivability of mission-related military and nonmilitary personnel, equipment, facilities, information, and infrastructure deployed or located within or outside the boundaries of a given operational area.

Consequence management refers to measures to protect public health and safety, restore essential government services, and provide emergency relief to governments, businesses, and individuals affected by the consequences of terrorism. Incidents involving CBRN material produce a chaotic and hazardous environment requiring immediate response to minimize pain and suffering, reduce casualties, and restore essential infrastructure. Responders at the local, state, and federal levels may be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the incident, and U.S. DoD forces may be requested to provide additional support through the national response framework (NRF).