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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated

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To: LindyBill who wrote (205123)	5/5/2007 5:08:13 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) of 793966

The office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has just released a 400-page document outlining in great detail the doctrine for "organizing, planning, preparing, and executing" U.S. military special operations worldwide. It includes "targeting and mission planning," as well as "guidance on establishing command relationships normally associated with a JSOTF [Joint Special Operations Task Force] or theater special operations command." God bless those who run around in circles for they shall be known as wheels. Here we have the JCS attempting to direct coordination actions at the lowest levels. Just one minor detail has been forgotten. The JCS have zero command authority. But little things like authority are not going to stop US 4-stars from imposing their will whenever they get the impulse to do so. Suddenly everyone is a UW expert and wants it done their way. And they are willing to write a new manual to prove it. Just what those Captains and Sergeants in a JSOTF need - a new fn 400 page doctrine manual written by REMFs. Every JSOTF is task organized and therefore different. I am not opposed to manuals, but in fast moving fluid war situations flexible SOPs prepared by the JSOTF assigned the mission and based on the area of operations and the specific units assigned the mission are a much better solution. Here is how it works. Usually the JSOTF Commander is a Special Forces Group or Battalion Commander. The JSOTF Commander (A Colonel or below) briefs the conventional generals on a proposed SOF operation. After the briefing the generals retire for coffee, drinks and cigars and make their decisions. The JSOTF CDR is not invited to this decision meeting because he is not a general. This is a huge mistake. If JCS really wants to improve the SOF mission situation and JSOTF capability, they should make JSOTF Commands a one star position. That would ensure at least one trained UW operator is in the decision room. This would likely require making the SF Group Commander position a one star billet, something that should have been done long ago. Getting back to the manual. My first impression is it is purely a CYA activity. Suspected departures from this new manual will now be the basis for future DOD IG investigations of SOF Operations. And of course it will provide cover and camouflage for conventional generals to use to punish SOF Operators for deviating from a (now) written JCS doctrine. Should we trust DOD in this. Absolutely Not. DOD was founded in 1946 and America has not won a war since. DOD is the losing branch of our armed forces. Each service has a training and doctrine (TRADOC) command. In the Army, TRADOC is a 4 star command and is quite capable of producing doctrinal requirements. For JCS to reach past all levels in order to establish new low level SOF doctrine is nuts. This manual is so precise (deliberately so I might add) it is the equivalent of putting handcuffs on the few Special Forces qualified planning Officers we have. Do our conventional 4 stars have the ulterior motive of eliminating SF?

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