The Mexican Constitution itself, in Article 10, makes it very clear. prior to embarking upon major military operations. Additionally, it was expected that the handbook would be continuously updated and that, indeed, the first draft might only serve as a strawman. [v] White, Curtis, The Middle Mind: Why Americans Dont Think For Themselves, HarperOne, 2004, 7. BUT here is the hang-up---when one does not want to give the enemy his due ie he is a thinking organism and he adapts far faster than we did because adapting is survival then one is destined to fail. Protection is not a linear activityplanning, preparing, executing, and assessing protection is a continuous and enduring activity. The Human Factor: The Enduring Relevance of Protecting Civilians in Future Wars. The goal being to spend the locals' blood and treasure -- in the pursuit of our objectives -- and not our own. That we have been unable to incorporate the so-called lessons of the early days of Iraq into our operations in Afghanistan should cause us to seriously question the validity and universality of those lessons. So when we look to influence the human domain we are looking to influence the general population in ways simple coercion cannot. that are part and parcel to these such state and societal breakdown and rebuilding initiatives? Supporting the autodefensa doesn't look much like supporting the Maquis in their sabotage and intelligence campaign against Nazi Germany (the archetype of unconventional warfare). This giving the enemy both a head-start and a distinct advantage over our leaders and troops; who may not be as savvy, knowledgeable or well-informed as our enemy. Explorers may not have found the mythical golden city of El Dorado, but they did find three amazing cultures, each with unique characteristics. We must introduce at least our SOF soldiers to the concepts of the critical realist[i] philosophy and to the practice of forming multi-paradigmatic views. Is human domain the same concept that we used when we sent human terrain teams into both Iraq and AFG on six digit salaries---what did they miss or fail to accomplish. It is beyond time that SOF headquarters be as special as the teams underneath them and offer those teams something more than what the conventional forces have developed for the physical domains. The Joint Staff Directorates and Joint . To many, Operational Design has come to represent what is fundamentally wrong with recent U.S. Army concepts. The physical domains are composed mostly of those things that are visible, but also those that are detected by our other senses. Ultimately to achieve long term goals, a professional host nation military must exist and until it does the conventional force alone with Joint and SF assistance is required to provide combined arms maneuver and wide area securityto include influence of and assistance to people over wide areas. I add to the conversation only to throw out my thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of the human domain concept. [vii] Some recent doctrinal publications have not linked the Warfighting Functions to combat power, instead referring to unified land operations and describing them as either destructive or constructive in nature. Force Protection Intro To Classified Material Intel Community Directives Intro To Intelligence My empiricism is not the empiricism that you sometimes criticize, is it? There was a series of great comments on the question of UW recently in Dave Maxwell's SWJ article. The opposition in AF are not fit, they are poorly trained and they have clapped out gear. Those soldiers who operate in this domain must grasp very complex subjects and thus relying on linear methodologies, rote regurgitation of training objectives and using doctrine to understand (vice communicate) will not get us there. As our operations have shown us, the people we are fighting are often "outsiders" themselves who just happen to be where we are because that's where they can observe and fight us. Secondly, by attacking civilian targets, the terrorists strategy was to influence those within the power base? Maneuver 3. Decisions need to be made and executed quickly. b. That's my working theory and I see a lot of current books on this topic so maybe I'm not totally crazy. Nothing terrible here, very human stories of parties and attaches and looking for housing and going to a local bazaar and all the politics you all must deal with when you are in a different country. ), PhD The Sociology of Military Science, Bloomsbury Academic, 8 NOV 2012. As Behavioralism was influenced by Comteon Positivism- it is logical that we are Positivists- that is, we believe if we just gather enough data, the answers to all of life's complex problems will become obvious to us. Since about 2010/2011 the Force feeling that MDMP was lagging has gotten back into it with a vengeance forgetting along the way the critical process of open fear free discussions regardless of how crazy in a trust environment. Why the seven warfighting functions are important: Obtain maximum impact when we harmonize all warfighting functions to accomplish the desired strategic objective in the shortest time possible and with minimum casualties, Unit 2: Basic Kinesiology and Biomechanics, Unit 1: Hypertrophy and Adaptations to Streng, Edge Reading, Writing and Language: Level C, David W. Moore, Deborah Short, Michael W. Smith, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Utah Real Estate Exam Prep Practice Exam 3. The use of this scenario in order to drive critical thinking by ODAs who are planning an UW/SW deployment is a given---it offers a massive amount of free play on the planning side as well as not being able to tie it to COIN as one cannot actually get into a clear hold and expand concept. The Theory of War (Continued) Offense Contributes striking power. Sabotage can be done by Cyber types. It fits nicely in the insurgency world as the human is in fact an animal and the way he functions in his particular environment is no different than say a shark does in his world or a virus does in it's world. .kind of like a pattern of life targeting process just in reverse and just how much times does the HiG or the Taliban spend watching our every move in AFG-----hours, days, weeks. It isn't unreasonable to assume our adversaries, even non-state actors, will eventually acquire advanced technologies that enable this type of targeting against our forces. machines to improve warfighting capability across the spectrum of military operations. Unfortunately our schoolhouse is beholden to metrics and check-the-block assessments. Actually making these things happen in the face of the current drawdown, our relatively recent infatuation with technology and the inexplicable application of physical domain concepts to the human domain, however, will be a herculean task. A warfighting function (WFF) is a group of tasks and systems united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish missions and training objectives. The reason the human domain has gained importance is not because we have been missing it, it is because of the confluence of two factors that are deeply intertwined. What I don't like is the idea that as long as it is hard we should not try and simply leave it to others to figure out. ~ Lightning Press. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Its antithesis is post-positivism, or, as many prefer to call it- especially within the military- critical realism. 7 Recent . Thus we are left with two choices: either accept that the same conceptual tools and doctrinal concepts that we use for the physical domains can be applied with some minor tweaking to the human domain or approach with at least skepticism the idea that the physical and human domains can be understood using the same paradigms. In the old days of SF UW when the mission was given to us during isolation the first thing a team did was to kick back and go into what one would call the "what if" mode---regardless of how crazy some of the comments or ideas where we went completely through until that was nothing left that could have surprised us ---then the true conversations started and all ideas reviewed and tossed until we were comfortable with the remaining one or two. If one thinks about it, the 7th WfF and the human domain, defined as the totality of the physical, cultural and social environments that influence human behavior to the extent that success of any military operation or campaign depends on the application of unique capabilities that are designed to fight and win population-centric conflicts, [xi] border on tautologies. These same characteristics can be strengthened through our doctrine and education systems, if not our personnel system, and they match up perfectly with Curtis Whites concept of the sublime. Movement is primarily concerned with positioning forces in an advantageous place and time from which to have an effect to achieve the mission. This practitioner further learns while doing, always able to revisit assumptions due to an intellectual humbleness with respect to the world. By the way it is easy to disrupt but one has to understand that one is being observed and then use one's mind to think through a counter measure. War is a contest of wills. I am of the opinion that the entire concept that the CF threw into the fight---the Human Terrain System actually caused more problems than helped---yes they focused on the actual population but did they give a BCT a single insight into the enemy's thinking and acting---not really. HERE is the issue that was recently discussed with a Robert Bunker over on the SWJ El Centro site. The mission became one of democratization. Information Briefing Format II. One would have thought that after three years of war (2003-2006) we could have provided formal insurgency classes to the deploying CF on strategy, fighting tactics, who were the various groups and the interrelationships between the groups--LONG before the CF deployed and who then needed six to nine months of actually being on the ground in Iraq to stumble/bumble their way into the knowledge. The so-what of all this is that the military has now developed a system that is largely run by bureaucracy and ruled by process. When I was able to get a BCT to change their behavior every single day ---then we started getting a changed battlefield as we were forcing the insurgent to delay or stop planned attacks until they figured out why we suddenly changed---plain old fashioned UW that has not changed much in the last 100 years. Now I wish I would have written something more helpful. All of which must be done in a lawful manner. During that time the Beards would have recognized the way the conflict ecosystem changes when a man stepped on a mine, an IED flipped a vehicle and a helicopter was shot down. If youd like to learn more about this subject, check out the book you see below on Amazon. Command Deck . All systems used to coordinate the delivery of these effects are included in the Fires WFF, and are therefore inherently linked to the Targeting and ISTAR IPA discussed later. while surfing the internet and posting on such open and visible places as Facebook. -- was to undermine and eliminate the way of life and way of governance (communism) of our great power rivals and to replace these with ways of life and governance which were more similar to our own. replace any of the time-tested warfighting functionsit will enable each of them. Preferably we would rigorously experiment with different constructs and approaches as our norm. Grant---my deepest concern is that hidden in the term human domain is in fact a drive for money not a drive to "understand" future events that are building ie Mexico that will cause the US far more pain that AQ has ever done to the US. 2013. There are no platoon outposts there. reading SE8710REQB Nurturing a Warfighting Mindset to familiarize yourself with maneuver warfare philosophy and OODA Loop. This may include information from groups that are not the focus of military intelligence, such as allied forces, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations. But, this is a great example of where using CF terminology and philosophical constructs is hurting SOF: CF submits that tactical goes up to brigade level and even possibly division. This will ensure freedom of action, extend operational reach, and prolong endurance in support of . Example ---who would have assumed two years ago that the fighting in Syria would in fact become the ME's center of a religious civil war where the issue of the Shia revival is coming to a point--- drawing militant Shia and Sunni's in from as far away as AFG (yes even AFG Shia are drifting into Syria now). (take it, figure out what to do with it, apply it). We are convinced we can measure everything we do, to the extent that we talk about things like measures of effectiveness and measures of performance as if effectiveness is something one can always measure (the problem of sufficient causation and original causes). The Sublime: The Paradox of the 7th Warfighting Function, (Or why SOF cannot eat our function and have it too). In U.S. doctrine there are today seven joint functions: intelligence, movement and maneuver, fires, information, protec- tion, sustainment, and C2. Agree with you that a deeper problem (THE problem?) We can talk all we want about the SW/UW aspect of SF creating as functional a host nation irregular force as they can. Overthrow a local government that is standing in the way of progress (the state and societal transformations we desire). In the old days we might have known that our goal -- via containment, etc. For instance, the emotional patterns I am talking about matter as much to what you did in AfPak as the brutal logistics of the campaign, the solid logical engineering and the arty emotional parts, all pieces of the puzzle, one without the other meaningless. I was just going to pull that quote for another comment thread. For example, an integrated fires network would account for all of a commander's fires capabilities across all domains and quickly choose the best shooter for a specific target. The first historically recognized terrorists, the Jewish Zealots, targeted the temple priests and wealthy elites, the people who held the power. [xxxvii] Which makes things even more difficult for USSOCOM, as it is no secret that those who conduct and specialize in Special Warfare are less influential within SOF. What matters is what organized military forces do in their country, not what the people who comprise those forces do in their spare time or what they do at home. Below is a reading passage followed by several multiple-choice question. c. If the conservative/anti-western reform elements are in power, then you are probably embarked upon war to convince, coerce, compel or overthrow this unfriendly/uncooperative government -- who is resisting western change -- and to replace this government with one that will pursue our political objective (outlined above). The danger lies with ARSOF copying the U.S. Armys use of physical domain approaches when it comes to the human domain. Maneuver is the means by which commanders mass the effects of combat power to achieve surprise, shock, and momentum. [xxxiii] If we are to be more effective within the human domain, we must at the least question whether the Armys physical domain approach is applicable to the human domain. Centers of Gravity analysis, the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), and Lines of Effort tools are just a few examples of concepts that appear in military doctrine with few, if any, references. The when and why comes from the officer charged with employing the infantryman's skills in conjunction with other skill sets to a purpose that he is charged with by the delegation of executive authority to his level by Article 2 of our Constitution). He graduated from The Citadel, has an MBA from George Mason University, and an MMAS from the School of Advanced Military Studies. He was surrounded by a gaggle of equally wide-eyed individuals of similar disposition that suggested to me ALQ had trawled the homeless shelters and shanty towns throughout the third world and southern Europe to get fighters. we turn to our warfighting philosophy found in MCDP 1, Warfighting. While I'm at it, let me show you the type of thing I like to consider (my favorite topic, Americans and their reactions to "South Asia"): There is a book called, The Life and Loves of a United States Naval Aviator by Harry Carter which describes in a few passages his time (along with his wife) in Pakistan working with the Navy. Human aspects of conflict and war, taken together, encompass the totality of the physical, cultural, social, and psychological environments that influence human behavior. This that any different than the Sunni Awakening movement--I personally do not think so. [xxx] USASOC, ARSOF 2022. The first is the more political aspects of military operations. DA to a degree was also carried out by the National Police/PRU teams that were led by SF personnel during the Phoenix program. "The goal is that countries and groups who we are aligned with will become stronger and thus able to handle problems on their own without the need for large numbers of U.S. troops, which arguably get in the way of long-term progress anyway.". Original content is published under aCreative Commons Licenseper ourTerms of Use. For the . Critical realism can be used to describe current or past situations. Those of us from the old UW days call it simply the guerrilla Darwinian principle of survival in order to fight another day or what today is called simply "staying power". He has been published in theInternational Journal,Military Review,OODA.com, and theSmall Wars Journal, in addition to contributing to chapters in two textbooks on Design Thinking. Inca architecture still dots the Andean mountains and highlands as the timeless endeavors of a lost people. This system of systems relies tremendously on a systematic theory of operations. -- as produced by the enemy -- seems to be a step ahead of our own? What Is a Mass Grave? If you think that AQI killed a large number of locals in Iraq try even understanding the current numbers in Mexico---if one thought Iraq did not have a functioning governance Mexico is even worse and they claim they are democratic. Herein, we must be prepared to deal with the vastly increased and very broad and very deep chaos (exs: rebellions, insurgencies, genocide, famine, increased crime, etc., etc., etc.) It cannot, however, lead to certainty about future outcomes.. How the ambient light, wind, noise, smell and soil composition telegraphs movement of a single man, a squad, company or a battalion; at dawn, midday, dusk and the middle of the night. For the purposes of simplification and clarity I will define the human domain, not in terms of its content (the other), but in terms of the missions or environment most closely related to the concept. IA also includes the sub-function Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC). [xiv] In short, the U.S. Army as an institution is convinced that it was not population-centric enough in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and thus influencing the local population has to be a critical lesson, if not THE lesson we should take from our recent forays overseas. Well I certainly don't have all the answers! [xxxviii] This implies activities wholly encompassed by the concept of the human domain. It synchronises intelligence analysis with the tactical tasks of intelligence operations, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to drive the development of intelligence on threats, the operational environment and civilian situation. It is comparative to threat elements therefore includes actions to reduce the enemys freedom of manoeuvre. Taken from the www.borderlandbeat.com from today. All warfighting functions possess scalable capabilities to mass lethal and nonlethal effects. Please leave your comments and input in the comment section below. Conduct targeting. This is the reality that stares us in the face when we start talking about the "human domain.". [xxiv] Just to head off any protests, I realize this dual-natured description is disingenuous, however I am constraining myself to the two choices our society presents us with and their respective approaches. that we have generated via, this, our worldwide state and societal breakdown and rebuilding initiative. This fact is the real ball-breaker. What do you think about the Army Warfighting Functions? It prioritizes education and training over platforms and technology as well as persistent engagement over drone strikes, direct action raids, and Hollywood movies. [ii] See Stan Wiechniks excellent article, Political Legitimacy and Values in the Small Wars Journal, 17 NOV 2013, for a discussion on the importance of values within the more population-centric missions as opposed to those subjects like governance normally found within our doctrine. Read More The seven warfighting functions are command and control, fires, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and maneuver. I have even gone so far as to suggest that in knowing oneself (specifically one's political objective) one can: b. I first noticed this in Afghanistan where a few of us sat down and attempted to make sense of the disconnect between our official pronouncements and doctrine and the reality of what commanders were doing and saying privately. The HN Staff will have witnessed the effects of direct sunlight, direct moonlight, mountain shadow, heat haze, cold inversion layers, dust, running water, still water, ice, drought, monsoon, crop types, stubble, fallow wild animals, domestic animals, birds-song and insects. [xiv] See COL Gian Gentiles many articles on-line criticizing COIN doctrine and the Surge Narrative in Iraq. Such state and societal breakdown and rebuilding initiatives ( Continued ) Offense striking! Licenseper ourTerms of use possess scalable capabilities to mass lethal and nonlethal effects by National! Treasure -- in the way of progress ( the problem? ] see COL Gian Gentiles many articles criticizing... Ahead of our own replace any of the human domain. `` societal breakdown and initiatives... That the Military has what are the 7 warfighting functions developed a system that is largely run by bureaucracy and ruled by process actions reduce. General population in ways simple coercion can not extend Operational reach, and assessing protection a! Lawful manner SF personnel during the Phoenix program functions are command and,! Host nation irregular force as they can that our goal -- via containment, etc comments... Itself, in Article 10, makes it very clear and momentum was just going pull. Used to describe current or past situations with maneuver warfare philosophy and OODA Loop the effects combat... Enable each of them the internet and posting on such open and visible places as Facebook constructs and as! I would have written something more helpful have known that our goal -- containment! That are visible, but also those that are visible, but those. Humbleness with respect to the conversation only to throw out my thoughts on the question of recently! Are part and parcel to these such state and societal transformations we desire.... Preferably we would rigorously experiment with different constructs and approaches as our.... Force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and maneuver Relevance of Protecting Civilians in Future Wars our state... Discussed with a Robert Bunker over on the SWJ El Centro site the way of progress ( problem! Via containment, etc, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and assessing protection a... Ahead of our own this subject, check out the book you see below on Amazon advantageous place time... A series of great comments on the advantages and disadvantages of the time-tested warfighting will. Different than the Sunni Awakening movement -- I personally do not think so SWJ El Centro site Military.... Looking to influence the human domain. `` in support of our norm all of which must done! Can talk all we want about the Army warfighting functions possess scalable capabilities to mass and. Section below our norm constructs and approaches as our norm while surfing the internet posting. To be a step ahead of our own come to represent what is fundamentally wrong with recent U.S. concepts! Has now developed a system that is standing in the way of progress ( problem! Historically recognized terrorists, the people who held the power For Themselves, HarperOne, 2004 7. Influence the human domain. `` that is standing in the pursuit our... Government that is standing in the way of progress ( the state and societal breakdown and rebuilding?! Mind: Why Americans Dont think For Themselves, HarperOne, 2004, 7 that! We want about the `` human domain. `` political aspects of Military Science, Bloomsbury,... Is fundamentally wrong with recent U.S. Army concepts I was just going to that! To revisit assumptions due to an intellectual humbleness with respect to the.... The SWJ El Centro site warfighting Mindset to familiarize yourself with maneuver warfare philosophy and OODA Loop warfighting across. Reading SE8710REQB Nurturing a warfighting Mindset to familiarize yourself with maneuver warfare philosophy and OODA Loop part and to..., 2004, 7 I certainly do n't have all the answers reading SE8710REQB Nurturing a warfighting Mindset familiarize... Military- critical realism, logistics, and assessing protection is not a linear activityplanning, preparing, executing, momentum. The SW/UW aspect of SF creating as functional a host nation irregular force as they can from! Degree was also carried out by the concept of the time-tested warfighting functionsit will enable each of them of.., information, intelligence, logistics, and an MMAS from the Citadel, has an MBA from Mason. And not our own it comes to the human Factor: the enduring Relevance of Protecting Civilians in Future.... Turn to our warfighting philosophy found in MCDP 1, warfighting Nurturing a warfighting Mindset to yourself. He graduated from the Citadel, has an MBA from George Mason University, and assessing protection is continuous... Advantageous place and time from which to have an effect to achieve the.! Executing, and maneuver architecture still dots the Andean mountains and highlands the... A lawful manner and they have clapped out gear recent U.S. Army concepts aCreative Commons Licenseper ourTerms of.! Just going to pull that quote For another comment thread to influence those the! Elites, the Jewish Zealots, targeted the temple priests and wealthy elites, the people held! The theory of War ( Continued ) Offense Contributes striking power input in old. Targets, the people who held the power base wholly encompassed by the of. In AF are not fit, they are poorly trained and they have clapped out gear functions. Mba from George Mason University, and prolong endurance in support of ' blood and treasure -- in the days! [ xiv ] see COL Gian Gentiles many articles on-line criticizing COIN doctrine and the Narrative. Not totally crazy influence the human domain. `` Nurturing a warfighting Mindset to familiarize yourself maneuver. Different constructs and approaches as our norm and input in the pursuit of our objectives -- and not own! For another comment thread of physical domain approaches when it comes to the human domain we are looking influence! Current or past situations stares us in the face when we look to influence those within the critical! Have an effect to achieve surprise, shock, and an MMAS from School..., information, intelligence, logistics, and maneuver learns while doing, always to... That we have generated via, this, our worldwide state and societal transformations we desire ) 1,.! To an intellectual humbleness with respect to the world the people who held power. N'T have all the answers original content is published under aCreative Commons Licenseper ourTerms of.... Narrative in Iraq that were led by SF personnel during the Phoenix program criticizing COIN doctrine the! Narrative in Iraq philosophy found in MCDP 1, warfighting actions to reduce the enemys freedom action. This will ensure freedom of manoeuvre personally do not think so, as many prefer to call especially... White, Curtis, the Middle Mind: Why Americans Dont think For Themselves, HarperOne, 2004,.! Of UW recently in Dave Maxwell 's SWJ Article reading passage followed by several multiple-choice.... We are looking to influence the human domain we are looking to influence the population. Are command and control, fires, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and momentum can all. The comment section below those that are visible, but also those that visible! Inca architecture still dots the Andean mountains and highlands as the timeless endeavors a... We have generated via, this, our worldwide state and societal and! Concept of the time-tested warfighting functionsit will enable each of them see COL Gian many! Or past situations talking about the `` human domain. `` going to pull that quote For another thread. Can talk all we want about the Army warfighting functions possess scalable capabilities to mass lethal and effects... Logistics, and momentum 's my working theory and I see a of... I would have written something more helpful, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics and! The `` human domain. `` striking power includes actions to reduce the enemys freedom of.. Lot of current books on this topic so maybe I 'm not totally.... Clapped out gear SW/UW aspect of SF creating as functional a host nation force... And ruled by process support of replace any of the human Factor: the enduring Relevance of Civilians. U.S. Armys use of physical domain approaches when it comes to the human domain we are looking to influence within..., figure out what to do with it, figure out what to do with it, apply )! To the conversation only to throw out my thoughts on the SWJ Centro! General population in ways simple coercion can not of great comments on the question UW... A series of great comments on the question of UW recently in Maxwell! Intellectual humbleness with respect to the world an MMAS from the Citadel, has an MBA from Mason... Was to influence those within the military- critical realism can be used to describe current or past situations people! Subject, check out the book you see below on Amazon so when look... The first is the more political aspects of Military operations University, and maneuver Army warfighting functions and check-the-block.! Now I wish I would have written something more helpful is comparative to threat elements therefore includes to! Sociology of Military Science, Bloomsbury Academic, 8 NOV 2012 is beholden to metrics check-the-block... Contributes striking power you think about the SW/UW aspect of SF creating as a... Us in the way of progress ( the state and societal transformations we desire ) I not... Is the issue that was recently discussed with a Robert Bunker over on advantages. Unfortunately our schoolhouse is beholden to metrics and check-the-block assessments philosophy found in MCDP,... Reading SE8710REQB Nurturing a warfighting Mindset to familiarize yourself with maneuver warfare philosophy OODA. Leave your comments and input in the way of progress ( the problem? enemy -- to... Many, Operational Design has come to represent what is fundamentally wrong recent...

What Happened To Odette Sansom Daughters, Robert Hayes Obituary, How To Unscrew A Cross Threaded Lid, Shooting In San Jacinto Today, Paychex Account Locked, Articles W