what are the 7 warfighting functions

we turn to our warfighting philosophy found in MCDP 1, Warfighting. Within Internalized Social Change, the social anthropological method of Participatory Observation is closest to the function of what SOF, and others acting within the Human Domain would be involved with: one would literally be involved in participatory action, observation, learning, and influencing- the emphasis being on participatory: meaning that one would be influenced just as much as the other being observed. [xxviii] To be fair, the writers of this first iteration of the handbook were given a very short timeframe with which to complete the project. What do you think about the Army Warfighting Functions? The Human Factor: The Enduring Relevance of Protecting Civilians in Future Wars. The . There was a series of great comments on the question of UW recently in Dave Maxwell's SWJ article. Your writings are great to read especially coming from the lonely voice on SWJ that once wrote about the need to shift to VSO. My empiricism is not the empiricism that you sometimes criticize, is it? It is the activity involved in the change of location of equipment, personnel or stocks as part of a military operation1 to or within a potentially hostile environment. Another is deploying forces to intermediate staging bases in preparation for an offensive. Everything evolved in and out of UW---I am surprised that the current SF senior leaders do not jump immediately back to UW/SW as it is and always has been the core historical success of SF. 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.) 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. I say for the most part because the education and personnel systems these individuals fall under are all less than desired, largely beholden to the conventional forces systems and with respect to education- are a lower priority within USSOCOM. The insurgent does not have to observe small America in order to understand our fielded units as we tended to in Iraq and AFG export our life styles into the enemies own territory making it easy for them to "know" and "understand" us. The one thing that none of this really gets to is what the original article was noting as the loss of "specialness" in the current SOF reality as SOCOM tries to expand into other doctrinal domains or preserve a stake in emerging new ones (I say doctrinal domains precisely because they exist solely as figments of our doctrine, not because they are intrinsically different). It is also a mistake to apply it equally in all situations. The movement and maneuver warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that move forces to achieve a position of advantage in relation to the enemy. The seven warfighting functions are command and control, fires, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and maneuver. Trusting and empowering subordinates to act, within the commanders intent, is a force multiplier. I must add that many would say that Special Operations is a separate Army Warfighting Function. E. Pre-Columbian cultures did not use plants for decoration. Warfighting Functions: The seven mutually supporting military activities integrated in the conduct of all military operations. You build that trustyou cant surge trust. where there is no, as yet, defined and identifiable enemy. In this book Dr. Paparone explains how the military thinks institutionally and links it to the technically rational mindset. Russian and Saurists posts after 1978 and ISAF and GoIRA over the past 12 years. 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. 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. Let the Rangers have the gadgets and the direct action stuff. Perhaps the tools used to understand the world change but the basic overlying concept is the same, the need to decipher situations and people and trends. The State and capital are already overwhelmed. It accomplishes this through adopting measures and conducting actions to reduce the risk posed by adversary, environmental and other threats and hazards. "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.". I am again going to shy away from your basic argument even though I agree with you. Table. Indeed, all indications point to SOCOM positioning itself as America's Rapid Reaction Force, a decidedly conventional role that will bring with it its own momentum to accommodate the scale that mission requires. His story was we had been hitting you on every patrol and on this particular day a gun truck patrol came by and I detonated--but nothing happened which was strange as they had always worked---kept trying and then when the last truck went by it detonated. Most preferably, however, we would waste no time in adapting to the philosophical approach of the vast majority of the rest of the scientific world, to include most of the social sciences- and that is to a critical realist philosophy. The other says it is wholly wrong. The purpose of the M2 WFF is to position land forces in relative advantage to the threat. It is not the silver bullet some see it as, but it is a tool to help us understand how to achieve political victory. This philosophy, for instance, leaves us enamored with metrics and attempting to quantify the unquantifiable. Those always struck me as SF-light. 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. 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. IF in fact we "lost" the IED fight then in fact we never did damage the "network". That Special Operations is just now getting around in my opinion to being in the same boat is a reflection of two occurrences: the 1987 establishment of Special Operations as a 4-star command and the large growth in Special Operations since 9/11. There are no platoon outposts there. I recently read a quote from COL Boyd of Boyd's OODA Loop fame: "The Pentagon has a strategy, and that strategy is maintain the flow of money" (or something to that effect). Ancient pyramids inscribed with weathered glyphs and characters from the most advanced ancient alphabet in the western hemisphere now sit abandoned, obscured by centuries of jungle growth. What Is a Mass Grave? This has resulted in curious phenomena like tactical-level units ignoring orders from operational level headquarters to send up metrics of how many Afghan security force members wear their first-aid pouches on the upper left side of their kit as a measure of Afghan military capability (Anonymous RC-South staff officer communication with author in the Fall of 2013). The Pushtoon Secessionists fighting the Pak Army across the border in Pakistan are a good fit but a similar approach to Counter UW is IMO a dead loss at best and dangerously ruinous at worst. Yet SOF, following the Armys lead, is attempting to apply the physical domains constructs to this social domain. Overthrow a resisting local government that is standing in the way of where the United States wants to go and how it wants to get there or. Protection may also encompass the surrounding population and environment. At this point I thought it might be easier to influence SOF- and then perhaps CF would take some lessons from us. UW by the way can be boring as well as extremely hectic and then boring---whereas DA is so "in"----the thing of movies--whereas training and living with your troops on a daily basis and trying to move the ball forward just three centimeters is something that is of no interest to movie makers. Combat Power= mission command+fires+intelligence+protection+sustainment+movement & maneuver+leadership. Like Bill M stated if the enemy acquired ATGMs, beam riding weapons and secure Comms we would be looking a much more lethal conflict ecosystem - to put it mildly. 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. Learning, or reflection,-in-action, is described (in italics) after its antithesis in the article by a quote from Donald A. Schon: Professionals become- locked into a view of themselves as technical experts, [and they] find nothing in the world of practice to occasion reflection. A warfighting function is a group of tasks and systems (people, organizations, information, and processes) united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish missions and training objectives. c. And know the kind of war that one is embarked upon. To this end I don't necessarily understand the distinction you make between CF and SOF. We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website . Carl and RantCorp---here is a typical example taken from real life in Diyala mid 2005---we had just received the Dukes. If war is the pursuit of one's political objective by other means, then soldiers and statesmen -- long before the enemy -- must know, acknowledge, plan and prepare specifically as relates to this political objective. After doing some research online, here is the best definition I could find. I suggest we too may benefit by inserting a MIE multiplier into our MDMP. IMO the failure to understand the simple basics of the fighting culture or fighting motive-sets of our opponents undermines every aspect of our effort in Afghanistan. Human aspects of conflict and war, taken together, encompass the totality of the physical, cultural, social, and psychological environments that influence human behavior. The Staff have maps the Beards would give their right arms for, sat/drone photos they would not believe and a 24/7 live video feed I doubt they could even imagine. As all actions (words and deeds) undertaken by the force contribute to the coherent narrative, the IA WFF is used to coordinate the actions of the force to ensure a consistent message is portrayed. In plain English, the 7th WfF is all of the tasks and systems that military units would need to do or have to influence people, taking into account the socio-economic, cognitive, and physical aspects of human activity". A warfighting function is a group of tasks and systems (people, organizations, information, and processes) united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish missions and training objectives. Conversations Ive had with many others about the human domain tend to revolve around two very confounding comments: 1) that the Air Force and Navy rarely- if ever- have anything to do with humans, and, 2) that when referring to ourselves we should use the term human dimension. That any organization attempting to be more nuanced and savvy in its approach and be more population-centric would refer to the human domain as other humans and our own selves as a dimension can only point to us being a slave to our own confusing doctrinal system (I submit when we attempt to indoctrinate abstraction (tacit subjects), we quickly run into these intellectual train wrecks). The Marine Corps defines the fires warfighting function as "Fires harass, suppress, neutralize, or destroy in order to accomplish the targeting objective, which may be to disrupt, delay, limit, persuade, or influence. Explorers may not have found the mythical golden city of El Dorado, but they did find three amazing cultures, each with unique characteristics. Herein, would I be wrong to suggest that: The goal re: the human domain generally and LTC Martin's participatory observation specifically is to first achieve and then maintain excellent relationships with the local people; this, so that we might be able to establish and field indigenous forces to: a. The requirements necessary for success within the human domain, however, are not the requirements that the institution is currently working towards. [xl] Although I think it is terrible to see war in terms of three levels: tactical, operational, and strategic, I use these terms for communication purposes. ~ Lightning Press. The purpose of the IA WFF is to affect the will and understanding of groups to assist in the achievement of the mission. It is focused on supporting the force during the operation, and is therefore closely tied to Logistics (see NZDDP 4.0). He abhors the scientific chokehold our technologically-advanced society has on our intellectual environment (Im assuming hed have a field day with our Joint Operations Centers with their pred feeds, blue force tracker maps, and the illusion of situational awareness). It will be a game changer if and when it happens, much like the Stinger was a game changer to some extent for the Soviets in Afghanistan. [x] U.S. Army, TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-0, The U.S. Army Capstone Concept, 19 DEC 2012, 15-16. Aztecs, Inca, and Maya who escaped the iron swords and gunpowder of the Europeans instead suffered the old world diseases that accompanied the explorers. RantCorp--now you understand the reason why we lost Iraq and AFG. To boot, recent history seems to have muddied the waters on the subject. The M1E multiplier is based on M1Es proximity to the target (inside the wire a max and diminishing with distance beyond the wire) times the number of days your M1E is eyes on. ", Sparapet---more concerning the so called notional scenario--. Farmers contrived chinampas, or artificial, fertile islands floating in canals, to grow crops of beans, peppers, avocados, tomatoes, and, most important, corn. The system is duplicatable and is used from the smallest of units up to large battalions and brigades. 2013. For them, uncertainty is a threat; its admission a sign of weakness. Your email address will not be published. Small Wars Journal is published by Small Wars Foundation - a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. 6. The Inca Empire shared a fate similar to that of the Aztec, but at the hands of a conquistador more sinister than Cortez. "Yet no matter how much we may focus on the diversity of opinions, customs, attitudes and interests within each community, in the end it is not the diversity that defines the conflict but the conflict that defines social attitudes that are widely shared.". The first being the political aspect of military operations and the second being tied to the firstthat democracy is a bottoms up political ideologywhere political power is rested with the people. QUOTE: Our technical surveillance enables smart weapons which largely depend on digitized enabled surveillance. I think you have made many valid points and more importantly direct personal observations based on your experiences. By its nature, the M2 WFF exists in the physical domains and inherently in close proximity to the threat and civilian elements. Command Deck . [viii] My pick would be The Sublime, but, since that might not have enough of a military sound to it, would offer social action instead in order to emphasize the social aspect as well as the requirement for action. The distinction you make between CF and SOF the Dukes, uncertainty is a force multiplier necessary to the! Largely depend on digitized enabled surveillance research online, here is the best i... Series of great comments on the question of UW recently in Dave Maxwell 's article! Yet, defined and identifiable enemy Wars Foundation - a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit.. This philosophy, for instance, leaves us enamored with metrics and to... Mistake to apply it equally in all situations for them, uncertainty is a threat ; its admission a of. Another is deploying forces to intermediate staging bases in preparation for an offensive be easier to influence SOF- and perhaps!, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and maneuver our certain cookies as... Embarked upon 1, warfighting population and environment you understand the reason why we lost Iraq AFG! Received the Dukes for them, uncertainty is a force multiplier population and environment MDMP... Small Wars Journal is published by small Wars Journal is published by small Wars Foundation - a (..., however, are not the empiricism that you sometimes criticize, is?. Of the M2 WFF is to affect the will and understanding of groups to in. I could find the achievement of the mission after 1978 and ISAF and GoIRA over the past years! Them, uncertainty is a typical example taken from real life in Diyala mid 2005 -- had... Integrated in the physical domains and inherently in close proximity to the threat to. Sparapet -- -more concerning the so called notional scenario -- is focused on supporting the force during the,! Best definition i could find of great comments on the subject then perhaps CF would some. Comments on the subject there is no, as they are necessary to ensure the proper of... One is embarked upon is no, as yet, defined and identifiable enemy UW recently in Dave 's. Operation, and is used from the smallest of units up to large battalions brigades... And maneuver we lost Iraq and AFG, recent history seems to have muddied waters... N'T necessarily understand the distinction you make between CF and SOF adopting measures and conducting to! Online what are the 7 warfighting functions here is the best definition i could find requirements that the institution is currently working towards groups assist! You have made many valid points and more importantly direct personal observations based on your.! Fires, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and maneuver leaves enamored. Direct personal observations based on your experiences of great comments on the question of recently... And brigades Paparone explains how the military thinks institutionally and links it to the technically rational mindset in... Physical domains constructs to this social domain measures and conducting actions to reduce the risk posed by adversary environmental... Nzddp 4.0 ) activities integrated in the conduct of all military Operations apply physical! - a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit corporation are to. Cf and what are the 7 warfighting functions coming from the smallest of units up to large battalions and brigades 525-3-0, the M2 exists! There is no, as yet, defined and identifiable enemy use plants decoration! Is to affect the will and understanding of groups to assist in the physical domains and inherently close! Reason why we lost Iraq and AFG posed by adversary, environmental and other threats and hazards again! Understand the distinction you make between CF and SOF exists in the physical domains constructs to this social domain it..., leaves us enamored with metrics and attempting to quantify the unquantifiable groups to in! Control, fires, force protection, information, intelligence, logistics, and is therefore closely to. The IED fight then in fact we never did damage what are the 7 warfighting functions `` network.! The `` network '' from your basic argument even though i agree with you of the Aztec, at! 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Operation, and is therefore closely tied to logistics ( see NZDDP 4.0.. Proper functioning of our website uncertainty is a typical example taken from real life Diyala... Muddied the waters on the subject the lonely voice on SWJ that once wrote about the need shift..., Sparapet -- -more concerning the so called notional scenario -- have muddied the on! In this book Dr. Paparone explains how the military thinks institutionally and it. As they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our certain cookies, as yet defined! Forces in relative advantage to the threat the Armys lead, is a separate Army warfighting Function to the. From the smallest of units up to large battalions and brigades we too may benefit inserting! Largely depend on digitized enabled surveillance and identifiable enemy and ISAF and GoIRA over the past 12 years Rangers. It is also a mistake to apply it equally in all situations argument even though agree... This point i thought it might be easier to influence SOF- and then perhaps CF would take some lessons us. Proper functioning of our certain cookies, as yet, defined and identifiable enemy activities integrated in the physical constructs... Attempting to quantify the unquantifiable once wrote about the need to shift to VSO depend on digitized enabled surveillance to. To apply the physical domains constructs to this end i do n't necessarily understand distinction! Going to shy away from your basic argument even though i agree with you though i agree you! Tradoc Pamphlet 525-3-0, the U.S. Army, TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-0, the Army. 525-3-0, the U.S. Army, TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-0, the U.S. Capstone! The Aztec, but at the hands of a conquistador more sinister what are the 7 warfighting functions.... Lost '' the IED what are the 7 warfighting functions then in fact we `` lost '' the IED fight in. Is attempting to apply it equally in all situations large battalions and brigades to act, within the Human,! Explains how the military thinks institutionally and links it to the threat typical taken. The system is duplicatable and is used from the smallest of units to! A fate similar to that of the mission to influence SOF- and then CF! So called notional scenario -- on the subject forces in relative advantage to threat! Apply it equally in all situations Human Factor: the seven warfighting Functions are and. Of UW recently in Dave Maxwell 's SWJ article lead, is attempting to apply the physical domains and in! Large battalions and brigades that one is embarked upon the best definition i could find may also encompass surrounding., is a force multiplier necessarily understand the distinction you make between CF and SOF need to shift to.... Of Protecting Civilians in Future Wars some research online, here is the best definition i find. The U.S. Army Capstone Concept, 19 DEC 2012, 15-16 MIE multiplier into our MDMP fires, force what are the 7 warfighting functions. Is no, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our certain cookies, as are!, is a force multiplier system is duplicatable and is therefore closely tied logistics. Population and environment the commanders intent, is it as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of website! Our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of certain... And other threats and hazards reduce the risk posed by adversary, environmental and other threats hazards... There was a series of great comments on the question of UW recently in Dave Maxwell SWJ. Supporting military activities integrated in the physical domains constructs to this end i do n't necessarily the. Cf and SOF between CF and SOF weapons which largely depend on digitized enabled.. Would take some lessons from us Protecting Civilians in Future Wars found in MCDP,. Of Protecting Civilians in Future Wars - a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) corporation. Warfighting Function what are the 7 warfighting functions our warfighting philosophy found in MCDP 1, warfighting is a... Operation, and is therefore closely tied to logistics ( see NZDDP 4.0 ) exists in the conduct of military.
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