[xxiii] UW is defined by US SOF as support to resistance (insurgent) forces to overthrow or disrupt a government or governing entity. (The enemy is not confused and is under no illusion. IE SF was successful along with African Union forces in chasing down M23 but did they anticipate the creation of militant warlords replacing M23? These movements may be partial or complete. Perhaps in steps pertaining to Analysis & Comparison. [x] Of course, that does not leave too much left. Easy stuff we were good at. It just amazes me as I grow older and become more retrospective on the past how there was such a fundamental failure at the highest levels to figure out what the objective was, how we would attain the objective and a complete lack of critical thinking. The Aztecs, noted perhaps most often for their penchant for battle and human sacrifice, composed the second-largest pre-Columbian civilization in central America. Grant---an example of reality that could one day effect SF especially in the SW world is Mexico---if a team is alerted and enters isolation for deployment-------use the following statement as their mission scenario---ie support the development of local Autodefensa groups in their fight against the transnational criminal organizations ie the various drug cartels when the governance in the areas of the Autodefensa equal a failed state and the politicians/government at all levels are fully corrupted by the TCOs. [xxv] As headquarters become more systematic, process-driven, and assisted by technology, however, most units above the tactical level are forced into a technically rational way of operating and thus largely cannot apply a critical realist mindset to operations. Why did "osw" cause heartburn---because it explains just how the organism ie insurgent adapts in his particular "ecosystem". If they really understood this stuff that well I would argue that there would be no need for us to step in. Thus, a philosophy that fits the more influential part of USSOCOM will have a difficult time being superseded by one which is esoteric, politically and professionally risky, and at odds with the rest of the military. If our adversaries had that capability our TTPs in Afghanistan would have to rapidly and drastically change. The To boot, recent history seems to have muddied the waters on the subject. 6. Thank you for the listing and your comments. Social learning-in-action would emphasize the requirement to learn while we are acting, although social entanglement (merging quantum entanglement with social efforts) might be more descriptive of the reality. We must also firmly ground and continuously educate them in critical and creative thinking. I also don't see how managing humans, be you occupying them or sharing some skills, is a uniquely UW/SW activity. Required fields are marked *, Copyright (c) 2022 / Part-Time-Commander.com. Agree with you that a deeper problem (THE problem?) 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. It seems rather outlandish to me and reminds me a bit of Marxist literature predicting the rise of the disenfranchised and the oppressed (workers of the world unite!). For example, on the one hand the methodology implores professionals to critically think, but it then defines the specific ways in which one must think about war, a wholly uncritical approach. At this point I thought it might be easier to influence SOF- and then perhaps CF would take some lessons from us. More expansive than Military Intelligence, the Int WFF recognises that various sources of information may impact on command decision making. It accomplishes this by supporting the force to ensure it has the capacity to act and continue to act until successful achievement of the mission. Manoeuvre is movement in coordination with fires within the operational area to concentrate force or the threat of force decisively at the right place and time in order to achieve surprise, shock and opportunities for exploitation, Mobility is the shaping of the battlefield to provide freedom of manoeuvre to land forces. I think you have made many valid points and more importantly direct personal observations based on your experiences. I DO think all of this applies to CF as well, but change within the CF is a much bigger issue and one in which I'm not sure I understand all the factors. Bill C----then we need to really check the definition of human domain being used by multiple entities in order to explain their particular take in the upcoming foodfight for funds. I would suggest that the answers to these questions, derived from the broader context offered above, must first be received so we might (vis-a-vis our goals and related problems and responsibilities) (1) properly consider the utility of these ideas (the human domain generally and participatory observations, etc., specifically) and (2) properly compare and contrast the different CFs/SOFs training, education, deployment and use models suggested. I also always wondered how much OPSINTEL was being compromised on a daily basis by these activities. It discusses the role of the Marine Corps component commander and staff, their functions, and their relationships to the joint force commander and the other Service components. All of this is exacerbated by a fundamental aspect of our culture: the technically rational aspect. If youd like to learn more about this subject, check out the book you see below on Amazon. Next attempt the IED detonated between the vehicles. This example was taken straight out of the website "borderland beat" which treats totally the Mexican and Central American transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs)--AND if you think beheadings were a thing of AQI in Iraq---one will see the actual bodies in the web site and if one thought Hezbollah had a corner on social activities in Lebanon think twice when one looks at Mexico---if one thinks that the TCOs do not tangate the US check recent reports out of Tulsa OK. There are no platoon outposts there. The endurance of Army forces is primarily a function of their sustainment. If you have watched the borderland beat site for over the last few years---we in the watching the failing of a major "democratic" country directly on our immediate border with TCOs driven their trade deeper into the major cities using violence much like AQ in Iraq. Instead of ignoring them like a Leave It To Beaver kind of approach to one's higher's OPORD, those things have to be critically investigated. IA also includes the sub-function Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC). This human domain/participatory observation concept looks like it is to be accomplished in times of peace (today and the immediate future?) These kinds of things defy logical analysis.. Coupled with a chain of command that exploits their multi-generational familial ties, tribal ties and 30 years of shared camaraderie the HN practice a tactical and operational methodology they call Jihad and we call Mission Command. What is then the difference in the use of human terrain teams say from the term human domain recently used by the ACoS? And I also agree with your point reference CF vs. SOF. Protection. To ex-ecute any of the warfighting functions effectively requires determination, while the object in war is to impose our will on our enemy. A particular IED group had been literally giving us fits meaning statistically seen a gun truck would be hit once in every three trips out the wire---this particular group had gotten extremely good with RC IEDs. The Forgotten Histories of the Codification of International Humanitarian Law in Nineteenth-Century Latin America, Crafting Strategy for Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Analysis and Action (2nd Edition), South Africas organised crime climbs to Italys levels, racing past Mexico, Somalia and Libya, Opinion | The Foreign Policies of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG Part V: Europes Supercoke & on- the-Horizon Issues and the Middle East, Opinion | The Foreign Policies of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG Part IV: Europes Cocaine & Meth Markets, Airstrikes, Civilian Casualties, and the Role of JAGs in the Targeting Process, Opinion | The Foreign Policies of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG Part III: Africa, The cartels flexed their power in Tijuana and now the battle for influence is on, Organized Crime in Mexico and the Evolving Government Response, Armies are re-learning how to fight in cities, Law and the Ayman al-Zawahiri airstrike: a dozen Qs & As, Informe alerta sobre contrabando de cigarrillo, narcotrfico y Hezbol, Iran Seeks to Increase Its Influence in Latin America, Experts Warn, International Humanitarian Law in Urban Warfare, ATP 3-06/MCTP 12-10B, Urban Operations (JUL 22), Latest Atrocities Highlight the Importance of Early Warning. A. flowers do not grow well where the Aztecs lived. It is noteworthy that within the ARSOF 2022 vision and related efforts, LTG Charles T. Cleveland, the commander of USASOC, calls for testing and experimentation of new and different operational planning constructs specifically with respect to Special Warfare. The implications of this 180 degree strategic sea-change -- to be experienced across the board -- are rather dramatic and, as such, have proven rather difficult for us to grasp and to deal with morally, militarily, etc. Recently US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) introduced a new publication: the SOF Operational Design Handbook. The Human Factor: The Enduring Relevance of Protecting Civilians in Future Wars. I would suggest even if you studied community dynamics in the Bronx, Marseilles, Cairo, Mogadishu, Khartoum, Jeddah or wherever these people came from it would do little to help you deal with the wayward inhabitant when he reached Afghanistan. Unless, of course, you mean to present an ahistorical role for SOF in future conflicts such as the lead in the military. Critical realism can be used to describe current or past situations. 7 . One way arguably leads towards relatively bigger budgets, more technology and platforms, and more intertwining of systems and processes with conventional forces. Certainly an insight into the latter three can be gained from understanding the local culture. At the same time, an integrated sustainment network would link . I am not overly familiar with the Mexico situation (some first-hand experience with Mexican army check points in the Baja California desert a few years ago notwithstanding). B. This type of change is more likely to last and is what we are talking about when we talk about the Human Domain and its related Warfighting Function (WfF): the 7th WfF. It teaches people the danger when they fail to observe their physical environment (under their ergonomic desk chair) and drives home the point that real pain (having your pants blown out of the roof of the shit-house) and pain on a TV screen have nothing in common. Within this context, you then move to the more practical, scientific, logical, whatever you want to call it. -- 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. But, I would submit ones level- if seeing things that way helps- should be based on the context as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach. To illustrate how the MIE multiplier might augment the guerrillas effectiveness lets take a senior Haqqani Network (HN) commander who has designs on attacking a position in or near Khost, Paktia AF. 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. I just wish there was as much emphasis put on critical and creative thinking. Like the Aztecs, the Inca practiced human sacrifice and lacked a written language; however, the Inca made up for language shortcomings with advanced architecture and a complex government. Going on offense (engagement and enlargement) re: the "different" lesser and remaining states and societies. For the human domain, art is the key. These are the folks who are being denied the right to a western way of life and a western way of governance. The most obvious way to seize and maintain the initiative is to strike first and keep striking. Then, you as an institution began to see that the deep veins were there, all the time, never acknowledged because they never had to be. In your case in Iraq any place where there were loads of screens. The . Manage Consent Preferences. [viii] It is linked closely to the concept of the human domain, thus General Odiernos alleged comment within the context of the function. 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. I think there needs to be some re-evaluation about these issues. He had a mental age of around 14 and could barely read and write English. The CIMIC aspect of the IA WFF is composed of all systems, capabilities and elements tasked to support or otherwise engage with the non-military communities, including dedicated CIMIC units. And all this still ignores the fact that none of this has anything to do with the general idea that the officers leading these organizations, conventional or otherwise, have to be educated. But you take these very human stories, sincere impressions of friendship and fellowship, and combine them with certain kind of military historical document from that time, military planners and their ideas about SEATO and CENTO and how SA might fit in, and you start to create many pictures, you create an emotional mood of personnel in the region at the time. Listed below are the main points from those ideas. I suppose we are saying the same thing, all of us, but talking past one another at times. If both the people and the leaders of various states and societies in the region had known -- long before Lawrence had arrived and long before he was deployed -- what the end-game objective of Lawrence's masters actually was, then what might have been: This is what we are up against today in the age of globalization and global communications. Small Wars Journal is published by Small Wars Foundation - a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. And no one sees the need for UW as the core ability of SF? And understand that the enemy (government or population, as the case may be), will not, as was thought, be waiting with roses. [xxix] Then-Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Commanding General, General Martin E. Dempsey, according to one anonymous School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) instructor, told the SAMS authors of the draft design publication that it was too long, had too many big words, and didnt have any of our current doctrinal concepts like Center of Gravity in it. Whether this is true or not, shortly thereafter Dr. Jack Kem wrote a short design booklet (Design: Tools of the Trade) that linked design to doctrine and as soon as LTG William B. Caldwell IV left Fort Leavenworth for Afghanistan and took Dr. Kem with him, the original draft authors quickly published The Art of Design, Student Text 2.0, which attempted to undo the changes that TRADOC reportedly had ordered. MS 301: Training Management and the Warfighting Functions Revision Date: 31 March 2022 Lesson 20,23,26,29,32: Branch Orientation Briefings Student Handout 1 Information Briefing Sheet Cadets will prepare and present an information briefing concerning an assigned branch. The Spaniards were forced to retreat from the city, but they soon regrouped and besieged the Aztec capital. As part of capacity building, engagement with Host Nation Security Forces (HNSF) may form part of the CIMIC aspect of the IA WFF area of responsibility. The offense cannot sustain itself indefinitely. To many, Operational Design has come to represent what is fundamentally wrong with recent U.S. Army concepts. The. War is a contest of wills. [xv] COL John Boyd famously said (and I paraphrase): The military has a strategy. without the aid of references STATE the seven warfighting functions (yall should study this one hard) Terms in this set (8) Command and Control. It is akin to saying "go be an ally to X against Z, but make sure X isn't the only power/influence game in town when you leave". After all, there are many examples in our own history where military commanders considered the population [or human domain as we call it now?] I assume. Well, enough with my psychobabble for now. These advocates recommended the adoption of critical realism, multi-paradigmatic frames and the like. Thru the same lens they would have recognized what events indicate discipline and control and what events reflect anxiety, panic, fear and hysteria. | Disclaimer | Copyright Notice | Privacy Policy. Outlaw09, In the paragraphs below, I will list each of the 6 Army Warfighting Functions and share some additional insights. Human populations, however, are characterized by different viewpoints and limiting oneself to only one view of the world can be disastrous if trying to make sense of things and initiate a desired effect. The trends within SOF, however, seem to be a growing reliance on process, bureaucracy, and metrics, all obstacles to breaking away from any institutionally-approved ways of thinking. Unconventional Warfare, Asymmetric Warfare, Hybrid Warfare, Population-centric warfare, Counterinsurgency, Foreign Internal Defense, Combat Foreign Internal Defense, High-end UW, Preparation of the Environment, Phase Zero, Shape, Influence, Engage, Building Partner Capacity, Stability Operations, Security Cooperation, Security Force Assistance- all of these and more attempt to describe concepts that are at best weak efforts to communicate within the military about abstractions. [xxxvi] Surgical Strike is usually associated with Special Mission Units that conduct Counterterrorism and limited strike, short-duration Direct Action hits. I dont ever remember reading anything where General Lee thought he could defeat and outright destroy the Army of the Potomac so his chosen course of action was one based on influencing the power base, the northern citizenry correct? The related tasks and systems that move and employ forces to achieve a position of relative advantage over the enemy and other threats. A WFF 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 (FM 3-0). I would hazard a guess that in a zone 50 km west of the Durrand Line there is not a single BCT HQ, FOB or COP that has not been under a guerrilla Mark One Eyeball (M1E) for less than 30 years. When we went into Iraq we were there to dethrone a despot and remove his ability to build or use weapons of mass destruction. In addition, they are more likely to remain fixated on the hyper-tactical level of operations. Hernando Cortez, who sought control of the Aztec Empire, or Mexican Empire, began his quest in 151915191519 by forming alliances with tribes who were displeased with the leadership of Montezuma II in Tenochtitlan. 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). A strategy also always wondered how much OPSINTEL was being compromised on a daily basis by these activities a of. Analysis. < /blockquote > if youd like to learn more about this subject, check out the you. A fundamental aspect of our culture: the technically rational aspect and maintain the initiative to. Write English of governance intertwining of systems and processes with conventional forces heartburn -- -because it explains just how organism. 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