U.s. Army's Strategic Communication

Mission Command is the framework used by the U.S. Army to ensure key leaders receive clear direction from commanders. Clear commander’s guidance allows subordinates to make disciplined and informed decisions to best accomplish assigned tasks. Ideally, application of mission command principles ensures all elements integrate and sync actions, thus creating a shared understanding and purpose. Analysis of Major General (MG) William Garrison’s decision making during the Battle of Mogadishu demonstrates how mission command principles must be applied to gain and maintain a position of advantage during military ground operations. As commander of Task Force Ranger (TFR), MG Garrison demonstrated both successful and failed application of mission command principles. Four principles will be discussed in the

Today, it is without a doubt that public communication is at the heart of our economy, our politics and our society. It is being used in different aspects of society - studios use it to advertise their films. Advocates use it to encourage social causes. The businessmen use it to furnish their image. Politicians use it, for them to get elected. It is a field constructed on various ideas and images, many information and persuasion, tactics and strategy. There is no product or policy that will ever succeed without a clever message that targets the right audience or people in innovative and creative ways. To communicate strategically is one of today’s ability to communicate and what our programs are all about. Therefore, public communications

Operational leaders down to the platoon and squad level have recently faced increasingly complex missions in uncertain operational environments. Accordingly, Army doctrine has shifted to officially recognize mission command, which enables leaders at the lowest level feasible to “exercise disciplined initiative” in the accomplishment of a larger mission. The operational process consists of six tenants: understand, visualize, describe, direct, lead, and assess. During the battle of Fallujah, LtGen Natonski understood the intent two levels up, visualizing courses of action for both allies and the enemy, and leading his organization into combat while directing his officers and soldiers to meet his intent. He visualized that Marines alone could not accomplish the mission. He understood that without the support of Iraqi police and a task force from the Army with

According to Army ADP 6-0, mission command is the exercise of authority and direction by the commander, using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent, to empower agile and adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations (CAPE, 2012). Effective mission command can generally be analyzed according to the six principles outlined in ADRP 6-0. The six principles of mission command are to: build cohesive teams through mutual trust, create shared understanding, provide a clear commander’s intent, exercise disciplined initiative, use mission orders, and accept prudent risk (CAPE, 2012). This paper provides a brief overview of the

Commanders at all levels face increasingly challenging scenarios as the operational environment changes. Some instinctively motivate and empower their subordinates to think and act independently, thereby influencing actions during combat. However, those who understand the commanders' activities of mission command will influence not only subordinates, but the outcome of the battle as well. Mission command is the exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent to empower agile and adaptive leaders.1 Commanders who understood the importance of mission command was Major General Horatio Gates. General Gates at the Battle of Saratoga successfully

Operation Verbal Image is an exercise based on command and control. It used many leaders who used command and control to accomplish their assigned mission. This command and control shaped the battlefield and took the fight to the enemy. This paper will discuss, how important command and control is, what is command and control, what does command and control do, and command and control in the information age. This paper will also discuss how command and control was used, how it affected the outcome of the battle, and my personnel opinions on how command and control could have been done differently.

Operation Iraqi Freedom saw a new rise in media censorship for embedded journalists, before departing their country of origin and being embedded with a military unit journalists were required to undergo joint training and sign contracts vowing not to report information that could compromise unit position, future missions, classified weapons, and information they might find during their time in the field. When asked about the purpose of the embedded journalists and these new restrictions Lt. Col. Rick Long of the U.S. Marine Corps replied "Our job is to win the war. Part of that is information warfare. So we are going to attempt to dominate the information environment.” Journalism from the front was no longer being used as a method of information broadcasting for concerned families and civilians at home, but to ensure proper reception of the war and shape public opinion not only in the United States, but the world as a whole.

Most military members agree that being a leader means being “in charge” regardless of the situation. While this axiom may hold true during the joint operation phases of “Seize the Initiative” or “Dominate”, it is not the case for steady state operations with the IA. This axiom has become a caricature of the DoD mindset in the minds of many civilian leaders. If military service members are to become more effective with IA coordination, they must understand and appreciate three dynamics to steady state operations. First, the value that our partners bring to the fight . Second, that in the steady state, DoD is not the lead agency. Third, with the overabundant emphasis of the topic in joint doctrine, most leaders

Military leaders have recognized the role of information as a key contributor to victory on the battlefield. The ability of the commander to quickly receive, analyze, and pass information is a critical element to the success of military operations. In order to understand how information affects military operations it is necessary to think in terms of three distinct domains; the physical domain consisting of the natural environment in which the senses are dominant, the information domain consisting of data, information systems, and documented knowledge, and the cognitive domain which consists of situational awareness, assessment and understanding. Technological innovation introduced over time has provided the ability to transition from one

Communication can be the key to running a successful organization. Leaders need to have a clear understanding of how communication can and will affect their subordinates when giving directions. Communication is a skill at which leaders need to keep working on to be proficient at. A good leader should be able to convey the organizational vision and mission statement so that all their subordinates are able to understand and relate to the overall organization's goal. Throughout this essay I will discuss how the vision and mission statements of my organization are communicated throughout the force, how teamwork strategies are incorporated into developing and implementing the Army’s vision and mission statement, how could the Army improve their vision and mission statement throughout the organization and lastly how can teamwork strategies be utilized to develop and implement the Army vision and mission statements be improved upon.

I was in a strategic communication working group meeting yesterday with the 11 AF public affairs officer Capt Schmidt (formerly Capt. Wassem( she got married a few weeks ago)). She stated to Col. Maxon, the ALCOM Deputy Chief of Staff, that Jeff Douglas would be very helpful if he could come up and help them prepare their strategy that they are to present to Lt. Gen. Wilsbach. Capt. Schmidt stated how Jeff had been very helpful in previous efforts and that he had the advantage of a PA rather than IO background. Col. Maxon also has a public affairs background and is very leery of information operations being in a leadership role in policy formation. It was a bit awkward as I didn't want to appear as an overt salesman for Booz Allen, but I mentioned that I would see what options were available and also stated that there might be other options within the firm that could provide assistance/expertise similar to Jeff Douglas if he were not available.

It is evident Chris is attempting to make this personal, I will not join him in this fight, I am only stating the facts and think it’s silly to have to keep going back on forth on what is now frivolous, however I will defend myself against these and any personal attacks.

The role and use of media cannot be neglected or underestimated in the modern day world. Military operations are manifestation of political goals and agendas, therefore requiring efficient media portrayal to affect and convince the people back home and all around the world. A military operation not properly conveyed to the nation turn victors into oppressors, the way it happened in Vietnam War with US military forces. Also, the morale of troops is badly affected when they see the negative portrayal of media regarding the battles they are fighting for their motherland. If military commanders are not well conversant with the media working, they would not be able to counter its negative effects or respond to it in an amicable

Never underestimate the effects of psychology in wars, it can make or break both the ally and opponent. As a person who lived in a country that lived by the propaganda every day for almost thirty years, I only catch glimpse of it when I was young. Nowadays, it is like another battle not in field, but in the media.

Like all functional areas of a company, the Communication Department plays a key role in helping an organization reach its objectives. It makes an organization understandable; it emphasizes its differences; it prioritizes messages for its key audiences. Ultimately, Communications works to package and position an organization - to make sure its messages are clear, coherent and consistent only then, can stakeholders be most supportive.