The US military today is a force

of superbly trained men and women who are

ready to deliver victory for our Nation. In

support of the objectives of our National

Security Strategy, it is routinely employed to

shape the international security environment

and stands ready to respond across the full

range of potential military operations. But the

focus of this document is the third element of

our strategic approach – the need to prepare

now for an uncertain future.

Joint Vision 2020 builds upon and

extends the conceptual template established by

Joint Vision 2010 to guide the continuing

transformation of America’s Armed Forces. The

primary purpose of those forces has been and

will be to fight and win the Nation’s wars. The

overall goal of the transformation described in

this document is the creation of a force that is

dominant across the full spectrum of military

operations – persuasive in peace, decisive in

war, preeminent in any form of conflict.

In 2020, the nation will face a wide

range of interests, opportunities, and

challenges and will require a military that can

both win wars and contribute to peace. The

global interests and responsibilities of the

United States will endure, and there is no

indication that threats to those interests and

responsibilities or to our allies, will disappear.

The strategic concepts of decisive force, power

projection, overseas presence, and strategic

agility will continue to govern our efforts to fulfill

those responsibilities and meet the challenges

of the future. This document describes the

operational concepts necessary to do so.

If our Armed Forces are to be faster,

more lethal, and more precise in 2020 than they

are today, we must continue to invest in and

develop new military capabilities. This vision

describes the ongoing transformation to those

new capabilities. As first explained in JV 2010,

1





America’s Military: Preparing for Tomorrow
and dependent upon realizing the potential of

the information revolution, today’s capabilities

for maneuver, strike, logistics, and protection

will become dominant maneuver, precision

engagement, focused logistics, and full

dimensional protection.

The joint force, because of its flexibility

and responsiveness, will remain the key to

operational success in the future. The

integration of core competencies provided by

the individual Services is essential to the joint

team, and the employment of the capabilities of

the Total Force (active, reserve, guard, and

civilian members) increases the options for the

commander and complicates the choices of our

opponents. To build the most effective force for

2020, we must be fully joint: intellectually,

operationally, organizationally, doctrinally, and

technically.

This vision is centered on the joint force

in 2020. The date defines a general analytical

focus rather than serving as a definitive

estimate or deadline. The document does not

describe counters to specific threats, nor does it

enumerate weapon, communication, or other

systems we will develop or purchase. Rather,

its purpose is to describe in broad terms the

human talent – the professional, well-trained,

2

Full

Spectrum

Dominance

Focused Logistics

Precision Engagement

Dominant Maneuver

Information Superiority

Peacetime Engagement

Fight & Win

Deterrence &

Conflict Prevention

Full Dimensional Protection

Innovation
and ready force – and operational capabilities

that will be required for the joint force to

succeed across the full range of military

operations and accomplish its mission in 2020

and beyond. In describing those capabilities,

the vision provides a vector for the wide-ranging

program of exercises and experimentation

being conducted by the Services and

combatant commands and the continuing

evolution of the joint force. Based on the joint

vision implementation program, many

capabilities will be operational well before 2020,

while others will continue to be explored and

developed through exercises and

experimentation.

The overarching focus of this vision is

full spectrum dominance – achieved through

the interdependent application of dominant

maneuver, precision engagement, focused

logistics, and full dimensional protection.

 Attaining that goal requires the steady infusion

of new technology and modernization and

replacement of equipment. However, material

superiority alone is not sufficient. Of greater

importance is the development of doctrine,

organizations, training and education, leaders,

and people that effectively take advantage of

the technology.

The evolution of these elements over

the next two decades will be strongly influenced

by two factors. First, the continued development and proliferation of information

technologies will substantially change the

3

conduct of military operations. These changes

in the information environment make

information superiority a key enabler of the

transformation of the operational capabilities of

the joint force and the evolution of joint

command and control. Second, the US Armed

Forces will continue to rely on a capacity for

intellectual and technical innovation. The pace

of technological change, especially as it fuels

changes in the strategic environment, will place

a premium on our ability to foster innovation in

our people and organizations across the entire

range of joint operations. The overall vision of

the capabilities we will require in 2020, as

introduced above, rests on our assessment of

the strategic context in which our forces will

operate.
Strategic Context

Three aspects of the world of 2020 have

significant implications for the US Armed

Forces. First, the United States will continue to

have global interests and be engaged with a

variety of regional actors. Transportation,

communications, and information technology

will continue to evolve and foster expanded

economic ties and awareness of international

events. Our security and economic interests,

as well as our political values, will provide the

impetus for engagement with international

partners. The joint force of 2020 must be

prepared to “win” across the full range of

military operations in any part of the world, to

operate with multinational forces, and to

coordinate military operations, as necessary,

with government agencies and

international organizations.

Second, potential adversaries

will have access to the global

commercial industrial base and

much of the same technology as

the US military. We will not

necessarily sustain a wide

technological advantage over

our adversaries in all areas.

Increased availability of

commercial satellites, digital

communications, and the public

internet all give adversaries new

capabilities at a relatively low cost. We should

not expect opponents in 2020 to fight with

strictly “industrial age” tools. Our advantage

must, therefore, come from leaders, people,

doctrine, organizations, and training that enable

us to take advantage of technology to achieve

superior warfighting effectiveness.

Third, we should expect potential adversaries to adapt as our capabilities evolve. We

have superior conventional warfighting

capabilities and effective nuclear deterrence

today, but this favorable military balance is not

static. In the face of such strong capabilities,

the appeal of asymmetric approaches and the

focus on the development of niche capabilities

will increase. By developing and using approaches that avoid US strengths and exploit

potential vulnerabilities using significantly

4
different methods of operation, adversaries will

attempt to create conditions that effectively

delay, deter, or counter the application of US

military capabilities.

The potential of such asymmetric

approaches is perhaps the most serious danger

the United States faces in the immediate

future – and this danger includes long-range

ballistic missiles and other direct threats to US

citizens and territory. The asymmetric methods

and objectives of an adversary are often far

more important than the relative technological

imbalance, and the psychological impact of an

attack might far outweigh the actual physical

damage inflicted. An adversary may pursue an

asymmetric advantage on the tactical,

operational, or strategic level by identifying key

vulnerabilities and devising asymmetric

concepts and capabilities to strike or exploit

them. To complicate matters, our adversaries

may pursue a combination of asymmetries, or

the United States may face a number of

adversaries who, in combination, create an

asymmetric threat. These asymmetric threats

are dynamic and subject to change, and the US

Armed Forces must maintain the capabilities

necessary to deter, defend against, and defeat

any adversary who chooses such an approach.

To meet the challenges of the strategic

environment in 2020, the joint force must be

able to achieve full spectrum dominance.

5
The ultimate goal of our military force is to

accomplish the objectives directed by the

National Command Authorities. For the joint

force of the future, this goal will be achieved

through full spectrum dominance – the ability of

US forces, operating unilaterally or in

combination with multinational and interagency

partners, to defeat any adversary and control

any situation across the full range of military

operations.

The full range of operations includes

maintaining a posture of strategic deterrence. It

includes theater engagement and presence

activities. It includes conflict involving

employment of strategic forces and weapons of

mass destruction, major theater wars, regional

conflicts, and smaller-scale contingencies. It

also includes those ambiguous situations

residing between peace and war, such as

peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations, as well as noncombat humanitarian relief

operations and support to domestic authorities.

The label full spectrum dominance implies

that US forces are able to conduct prompt,

sustained, and synchronized operations with

combinations of forces tailored to specific

situations and with access to and freedom to

operate in all domains – space, sea, land, air,

and information. Additionally, given the global

nature of our interests and obligations, the

United States must maintain its overseas

presence forces and the ability to rapidly

project power worldwide in order to achieve

full spectrum dominance.

Achieving full spectrum dominance means

the joint force will fulfill its primary purpose –

victory in war, as well as achieving success

across the full range of operations, but it does

not mean that we will win without cost or

difficulty. Conflict results in casualties despite

our best efforts to minimize them, and will

continue to do so when the force has achieved

full spectrum dominance. Additionally, friction is

inherent in military operations. The joint force

of 2020 will seek to create a “frictional

imbalance” in its favor by using the capabilities

envisioned in this document, but the fundamental sources of friction cannot be eliminated. We

will win – but we should not expect war in the

future to be either easy or bloodless.

The requirement for global operations,

the ability to counter adversaries who possess

6

Full Spectrum Dominance

Effects of danger and exertion

Existence of uncertainty and chance

Unpredictable actions of other actors

 Frailties of machines and information

 Humans

Sources of Friction
weapons of mass destruction, and the need to

shape ambiguous situations at the low end of

the range of operations will present special

challenges en route to achieving full spectrum

dominance. Therefore, the process of creating

the joint force of the future must be flexible – to

react to changes in the strategic environment

and the adaptations of potential enemies, to

take advantage of new technologies, and to

account for variations in the pace of change.

The source of that flexibility is the synergy of

the core competencies of the individual

Services, integrated into the joint team. These

challenges will require a Total Force composed

of well-educated, motivated, and competent

people who can adapt to the many demands of

future joint missions. The transformation of the

joint force to reach full spectrum dominance

rests upon information superiority as a key

enabler and our capacity for innovation.

7

War

Promote Peace

&

Support US Civil

Authorities

Military

Operations

General

US Goals Examples

Fight & Win Large Scale Combat Operations

Attack / Defend / Blockade

Military

Operations

Other

Than

War

Deter War

&

Resolve Conflict

Peace Enforcement

Counterterrorism

Show of Force / Raid / Strike

Peacekeeping / NEO

Nation Assistance

Counterinsurgency

Freedom of Navigation

Counterdrug

Humanitarian Assistance

ProtectIon of Shipping

US Civil Support

RANGE OF MILITARY OPERATIONS

N

O

N

C

O

M

B

A

T

C

O

M

B

A

T
8

INFORMATION SUPERIORITY

Information, information processing, and

communications networks are at the core of

every military activity. Throughout history,

military leaders have regarded information

superiority as a key enabler of victory.

However, the ongoing “information revolution” is

creating not only a quantitative, but a qualitative

change in the information environment that by

2020 will result in profound changes in the

conduct of military operations. In fact,

advances in information capabilities are

proceeding so rapidly that there is a risk of

outstripping our ability to capture ideas,

formulate operational concepts, and develop

the capacity to assess results. While the goal

of achieving information superiority will not

change, the nature, scope, and “rules” of the

quest are changing radically.

The qualitative change in the

information environment extends the

conceptual underpinnings of information

superiority beyond the mere accumulation of

more, or even better, information. The word

“superiority” implies a state or condition of

imbalance in one’s favor. Information

superiority is transitory in nature and must be

created and sustained by the joint force through

the conduct of information operations.

However, the creation of information superiority

is not an end in itself.

Information superiority provides the joint

force a competitive advantage only when it is

effectively translated into superior knowledge

and decisions. The joint force must be able to

take advantage of superior information

converted to superior knowledge to achieve

“decision superiority” – better decisions arrived

at and implemented faster than an opponent

can react, or in a noncombat situation, at a

tempo that allows the force to shape the

situation or react to changes and accomplish its

mission. Decision superiority does not

automatically result from information superiority.

Organizational and doctrinal adaptation,

relevant training and experience, and the proper

command and control mechanisms and tools

are equally necessary.

Information Superiority – the capability

to collect, process, and disseminate an

uninterrupted flow of information while

exploiting or denying an adversary’s ability

to do the same. (JP1-02) Information

superiority is achieved in a noncombat

situation or one in which there are no clearly

defined adversaries when friendly forces

have the information necessary to achieve

operational objectives.

Information Environment – the aggregate of

individuals, organizations, and systems that

collect, process, or disseminate information,

including the information itself. (JP1-02)
The evolution of information technology

will increasingly permit us to integrate the

traditional forms of information operations with

sophisticated all-source intelligence,

surveillance, and reconnaissance in a fully

synchronized information campaign. The

development of a concept labeled the global

information grid will provide the network-centric

environment required to achieve this goal. The

grid will be the globally interconnected, end-toend set of information capabilities, associated

processes, and people to manage and provide

information on demand to warfighters, policy

9

makers, and support personnel. It will enhance

combat power and contribute to the success of

noncombat military operations as well.

Realization of the full potential of these changes

requires not only technological improvements,

but the continued evolution of organizations and

doctrine and the development of relevant

training to sustain a comparative advantage in

the information environment.

We must also remember that

information superiority neither equates to

perfect information, nor does it mean the

elimination of the fog of war. Information
systems, processes, and operations add their

own sources of friction and fog to the

operational environment. Information

superiority is fundamental to the transformation

of the operational capabilities of the joint force.

The joint force of 2020 will use superior

information and knowledge to achieve decision

superiority, to support advanced command and

control capabilities, and to reach the full

potential of dominant maneuver, precision

engagement, full dimensional protection, and

focused logistics. The breadth and pace of this

evolution demands flexibility and a readiness to

innovate.

INNOVATION

Joint Vision 2010 identified technological innovation as a vital component of the

transformation of the joint force. Throughout

the industrial age, the United States has relied

upon its capacity for technological innovation to

succeed in military operations, and the need to

do so will continue. It is important, however, to

broaden our focus beyond technology and

capture the importance of organizational and

conceptual innovation as well.

Innovation, in its simplest form, is the

combination of new “things” with new “ways” to

carry out tasks. In reality, it may result from

fielding completely new things, or the

imaginative recombination of old things in new

ways, or something in between. The ideas in

JV 2010 as carried forward in JV 2020 are,

indeed, innovative and form a vision for

integrating doctrine, tactics, training, supporting

activities, and technology into new operational

capabilities. The innovations that determine

joint and Service capabilities will result from a

general understanding of what future conflict

and military operations will be like, and a view

of what the combatant commands and Services

must do in order to accomplish assigned

missions.

An effective innovation process requires

continuous learning – a means of interaction

and exchange that evaluates goals, operational

lessons, exercises, experiments, and

simulations – and that must include feedback

mechanisms. The Services and combatant

commands must allow our highly trained and

skilled professionals the opportunity to create

new concepts and ideas that may lead to future

breakthroughs. We must foster the innovations

necessary to create the joint force of the future

– not only with decisions regarding future

versus present force structure and budgets, but

also with a reasonable tolerance for errors and

failures in the experimentation process. We

must be concerned with efficient use of time

and resources and create a process that gives

us confidence that our results will produce

battlefield success. However, an experimentation process with a low tolerance for error

makes it unlikely that the force will identify and

nurture the most relevant and productive

aspects of new concepts, capabilities, and

10
technology. All individuals and organizations

charged with experimentation in support of the

evolution of our combat forces must ensure that

our natural concern for husbanding resources

and ultimately delivering successful results

does not prevent us from pursuing innovations

with dramatic if uncertain potential.

There is, of course, a high degree of

uncertainty inherent in the pursuit of innovation.

The key to coping with that uncertainty is bold

leadership supported by as much information

as possible. Leaders must assess the efficacy

of new ideas, the potential drawbacks to new

concepts, the capabilities of potential

adversaries, the costs versus benefits of new

technologies, and the organizational

implications of new capabilities. They must

make these assessments in the context of an

evolving analysis of the economic, political, and

technological factors of the anticipated security

environment. Each of these assessments will

have uncertainty associated with them. But the

best innovations have often come from people

who made decisions and achieved success

despite uncertainties and limited information.

By creating innovation, the combatant

commands and Services also create their best

opportunities for coping with the increasing

pace of change in the overall environment in

which they function. Although changing

technology is a primary driver of environmental

change, it is not the only one. The search for

innovation must encompass the entire context

of joint operations – which means the Armed

Forces must explore changes in doctrine,

organization, training, materiel, leadership and

education, personnel, and facilities as well as

technology. Ultimately, the goal is to develop

reasonable approaches with enough flexibility

to recover from errors and unforeseen

circumstances.

11
The complexities of the future security

environment demand that the United States be

prepared to face a wide range of threats of

varying levels of intensity. Success in

countering these threats will require the skillful

integration of the core competencies of the

Services into a joint force tailored to the specific

situation and objectives. Commanders must be

afforded the opportunity to achieve the level of

effectiveness and synergy necessary to

conduct decisive operations across the entire

range of military operations. When combat

operations are required, they must have an

overwhelming array of capabilities available to

conduct offensive and defensive operations and

against which an enemy must defend. Other

complex contingencies such as humanitarian

relief or peace operations will require a rapid,

flexible response to achieve national objectives

in the required timeframe. Some situations may

require the capabilities of only one Service, but

in most cases, a joint force comprised of both

Active and Reserve Components will be

employed.

The complexity of future operations also

requires that, in addition to operating jointly, our

forces have the capability to participate

effectively as one element of a unified national

effort. This integrated approach brings to bear

all the tools of statecraft to achieve our national

objectives unilaterally when necessary, while

making optimum use of the skills and resources

provided by multinational military forces,

regional and international organizations,

non-governmental organizations, and private

voluntary organizations when possible.

Participation by the joint force in operations

supporting civil authorities will also likely

increase in importance due to emerging threats

to the US homeland such as terrorism and

weapons of mass destruction.

PEOPLE

The core of the joint force of 2020 will

continue to be an All Volunteer Force composed

of individuals of exceptional dedication and

Conduct of

Joint Operations

12
13

ability. Their quality will matter as never before

as our Service members confront a diversity of

missions and technological demands that call

for adaptability, innovation, precise judgment,

forward thinking, and multicultural

understanding. The Nation will continue to

depend on talented individuals of outstanding

character, committed to an ethic of selfless

service.

Our people will require a multitude of

skills. The Services will play a critical role in

necessary. The joint force commander is

thereby provided a powerful, synergistic force

capable of dominating across the entire range

of operations.

The missions of 2020 will demand

Service members who can create and then take

advantage of intellectual and technological

innovations. Individuals will be challenged by

significant responsibilities at tactical levels in

the organization and must be capable of

making decisions with both operational and

strategic implications. Our vision of full

spectrum dominance and the transformation of

operational capabilities has significant

implications for the training and education of

our people. The tactics of information

operations, the coordination of interagency and

perfecting their individual specialties and the

core competencies of each organization. In

addition, every member of the Total Force must

be prepared to apply that expertise to a wide

range of missions as a member of the joint

team. Our Service members must have the

mental agility to transition from preparing for

war to enforcing peace to actual combat, when

multinational operations, as well as the

complexity of the modern tools of war all require

people who are both talented and trained to

exacting standards. Rapid and dispersed

operations will require men and women who are

part of a cohesive team, yet are capable of
operating independently to meet the

commander’s intent. The evolution of new

functional areas, such as space operations and

information operations, will require development

of appropriate career progression and

leadership opportunities for specialists in those

fields. The accumulation of training and

experience will create a force ready to deploy

rapidly to any point on the globe and operate

effectively.

The joint force of 2020 will face a

number of challenges in recruiting and retaining

the outstanding people needed to meet these

requirements. First, expanding civilian

education and employment opportunities will

reduce the number of candidates available for

military service. We will continue to focus on

our members’ standard of living and a

competitive compensation strategy to ensure

we attract the quality individuals we need.

14

Second, the increasing percentage of members

with dependents will require a commitment to

family-oriented community support programs

and as much stability as possible, as well as

close monitoring of the impact of the operations

tempo. Finally, our increased dependence on

the Reserve Component will require us to

address the concerns of our reserve members

and their employers regarding the impact on

civilian careers. The Department of Defense

and Services must meet these challenges

head-on.

Military operations will continue to

demand extraordinary dedication and sacrifice

under the most adverse conditions. Our Total

Force, composed of professionals armed with

courage, stamina, and intellect, will succeed

despite the complexity and pace of future

operations.
15

INTEROPERABILITY

Interoperability is the foundation of

effective joint, multinational, and interagency

operations. The joint force has made significant

progress toward achieving an optimum level of

interoperability, but there must be a concerted

effort toward continued improvement. Such

improvements will include the refinement of

joint doctrine as well as further development

of common technologies and processes.

Exercises, personnel exchanges, agreement

on standardized operating procedures,

individual training and education, and planning

will further enhance and institutionalize these

capabilities. Interoperability is a mandate for

the joint force of 2020 – especially in terms of

communications, common logistics items, and

information sharing. Information systems and

equipment that enable a common relevant

operational picture must work from shared

networks that can be accessed by any

appropriately cleared participant.

Although technical interoperability is

essential, it is not sufficient to ensure effective

operations. There must be a suitable focus on

procedural and organizational elements, and

decision makers at all levels must understand

each other’s capabilities and constraints.

Training and education, experience and

exercises, cooperative planning, and skilled

liaison at all levels of the joint force will not only

overcome the barriers of organizational culture

and differing priorities, but will teach members

of the joint team to appreciate the full range of

Service capabilities available to them.

The future joint force will have the

embedded technologies and adaptive organizational structures that will allow trained and

experienced people to develop compatible

processes and procedures, engage in

collaborative planning, and adapt as necessary

to specific crisis situations. These features are

not only vital to the joint force, but to

multinational and interagency operations as

well.

Interoperability – the ability of systems,

units, or forces to provide services to and

accept services from other systems, units,

or forces and to use the services so

exchanged to enable them to operate

effectively together. (JP1-02)
Multinational Operations

Since our potential multinational

partners will have varying levels of technology,

a tailored approach to interoperability that

accommodates a wide range of needs and

capabilities is necessary. Our more technically

advanced allies will have systems and

equipment that are essentially compatible,

enabling them to interface and share

information in order to operate effectively with

US forces at all levels. However, we must also

be capable of operating with allies and coalition

partners who may be technologically

incompatible – especially at the tactical level.

Additionally, many of our future partners will

have significant specialized capabilities that

may be integrated into a common operating

scheme. At the same time, the existence of

these relationships does not imply access to

information without constraints. We and our

multinational partners will continue to use

suitable judgment regarding the protection of

sensitive information and information sources.

In all cases, effective command and

control is the primary means of successfully

extending the joint vision to multinational

operations. Technological developments that

connect the information systems of partners will

provide the links that lead to a common relevant

operational picture and improve command and

control. However, the sharing of information

needed to maintain the tempo of integrated

multinational operations also relies heavily on a

shared understanding of operational procedures

16

Multinational Operations – a collective

term to describe military actions conducted

by forces of two or more nations usually

undertaken within the structure of a coalition

or alliance. (JP1-02)
17

and compatible organizations. The commander

must have the ability to evaluate information in

its multinational context. That context can only

be appreciated if sufficient regional expertise

and liaison capability are available on the

commander’s staff. A deep understanding of

the cultural, political, military, and economic

characteristics of a region must be established

and maintained. Developing this understanding

is dependent upon shared training and

education, especially with key partners, and

may require organizational change as well. The

overall effectiveness of multinational operations

is, therefore, dependent on interoperability

between organizations, processes, and

technologies.
18

Interagency Operations

The primary challenge of interagency

operations is to achieve unity of effort despite

the diverse cultures, competing interests, and

differing priorities of the participating

organizations, many of whom guard their

relative independence, freedom of action, and

impartiality. Additionally, these organizations

may lack the structure and resources to support

extensive liaison cells or integrative

technology. In this environment and in

the absence of formal command

relationships, the future joint force must

be proactive in improving communications, planning, interoperability, and

liaison with potential interagency

participants. These factors are

important in all aspects of interagency

operations, but particularly in the

context of direct threats to citizens and

facilities in the US homeland.

Cohesive interagency action is vital to

deterring, defending against, and

responding to such attacks. The joint

force must be prepared to support

civilian authorities in a fully integrated

effort to meet the needs of US citizens

and accomplish the objectives

specified by the National Command

Authorities.

Interagency Coordination – within the

context of Department of Defense

involvement, the coordination that occurs

between elements of the Department of

Defense and engaged US Government

agencies, non-governmental organizations,

private voluntary organizations, and

regional and international organizations for

the purpose of accomplishing an objective.

(JP1-02)
19

All organizations have unique information assets that can contribute to the common

relevant operational picture and support unified

action. They also have unique information

requirements. Sharing information with

appropriately cleared participants and

integration of information from all sources are

essential. Understanding each other’s

requirements and assets is also crucial. More

importantly, through training with potential

interagency partners, experienced liaisons

must be developed to support long-term

relationships, collaborative planning in

advance of crises, and compatible processes

and procedures. As with our multinational

partners, interoperability in all areas of

interaction is essential to effective interagency

operations.
OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS

Dominant Maneuver

The joint force capable of dominant

maneuver will possess unmatched speed and

agility in positioning and repositioning tailored

forces from widely dispersed locations to

achieve operational objectives quickly and

decisively. The employment of dominant

maneuver may lead to achieving objectives

directly, but can also facilitate employment of

the other operational concepts. For example,

dominant maneuver may be employed to

dislodge enemy forces so they can be

destroyed through precision engagement. At

times, achieving positional advantage will be a

function of operational maneuver over strategic

distances. Overseas or US-based units will

mass forces or effects directly to the operational

theater. Information superiority will support the

conduct of dominant maneuver by enabling

adaptive and concurrent planning; coordination

of widely dispersed units; gathering of timely

feedback on the status, location, and activities

of subordinate units; and anticipation of the

course of events leading to mission

accomplishment. The joint force will also be

capable of planning and conducting dominant

maneuver in cooperation with interagency and

multinational partners with varying levels of

commitment and capability.

The capability to rapidly mass force or

forces and the effects of dispersed forces

20

allows the joint force commander to establish

control of the battlespace at the proper time and

place. In a conflict, this ability to attain

positional advantage allows the commander to

employ decisive combat power that will compel

an adversary to react from a position of

disadvantage, or quit. In other situations, it

allows the force to occupy key positions to

shape the course of events and minimize

hostilities or react decisively if hostilities erupt.

And in peacetime, it constitutes a credible

capability that influences potential adversaries

while reassuring friends and allies.

Dominant Maneuver is the ability of joint

forces to gain positional advantage with

decisive speed and overwhelming

operational tempo in the achievement of

assigned military tasks. Widely dispersed

joint air, land, sea, amphibious, special

operations and space forces, capable of

scaling and massing force or forces and the

effects of fires as required for either combat

or noncombat operations, will secure

advantage across the range of military

operations through the application of

information, deception, engagement,

mobility and counter-mobility capabilities.
21

Beyond the actual physical presence of

the force, dominant maneuver creates an

impact in the minds of opponents and others in

the operational area. That impact is a tool

available to the joint force commander across

the full range of military operations. In a

conflict, for example, the presence or

anticipated presence of a decisive force might

well cause an enemy to surrender after minimal

resistance. During a peacekeeping mission, it

may provide motivation for good-faith

negotiations or prevent the instigation of civil

disturbances. In order to achieve such an

impact, the commander will use information

operations as a force multiplier by making the

available combat power apparent without the

need to physically move elements of the force.

The joint force commander will be able to take

advantage of the potential and actual effects of

dominant maneuver to gain the greatest benefit.
Precision Engagement

Simply put, precision engagement is

effects-based engagement that is relevant to all

types of operations. Its success depends on

in-depth analysis to identify and locate critical

nodes and targets. The pivotal characteristic of

precision engagement is the linking of sensors,

delivery systems, and effects. In the joint force

of the future, this linkage will take place across

Services and will incorporate the applicable

capabilities of multinational and interagency

partners when appropriate. The resulting

system of systems will provide the commander

the broadest possible range of capabilities in

responding to any situation, including both

kinetic and nonkinetic weapons capable of

creating the desired lethal or nonlethal effects.

The concept of precision engagement

extends beyond precisely striking a target with

explosive ordnance. Information superiority will

enhance the capability of the joint force

commander to understand the situation,

determine the effects desired, select a course

of action and the forces to execute it, accurately

assess the effects of that action, and reengage

as necessary while minimizing collateral

damage. During conflict, the commander will

use precision engagement to obtain lethal and

nonlethal effects in support of the objectives of

the campaign. This action could include

destroying a target using conventional forces,

inserting a special operations team, or even the

22

Precision Engagement is the ability of joint

forces to locate, surveil, discern, and track

objectives or targets; select, organize, and

use the correct systems; generate desired

effects; assess results; and reengage with

decisive speed and overwhelming

operational tempo as required, throughout

the full range of military operations.
23

execution of a comprehensive psychological

operations mission. In other cases, precision

engagement may be used to facilitate dominant

maneuver and decisive close combat. The

commander may also employ nonkinetic

weapons, particularly in the arena of

information operations where the targets might

be key enemy leaders or troop formations, or

the opinion of an adversary population.

In noncombat situations, precision

engagement activities will, naturally, focus on

nonlethal actions. These actions will be

capable of defusing volatile situations,

overcoming misinformation campaigns, or

directing a flow of refugees to relief stations, for

example. Regardless of its application in

combat or noncombat operations, the

capability to engage precisely allows the

commander to shape the situation or battle

space in order to achieve the desired effects

while minimizing risk to friendly forces and

contributing to the most effective use of

resources.
Focused Logistics

Focused logistics will provide military

capability by ensuring delivery of the right

equipment, supplies, and personnel in the right

quantities, to the right place, at the right time to

support operational objectives. It will result

from revolutionary improvements in information

systems, innovation in organizational

structures, reengineered processes, and

advances in transportation technologies. This

transformation has already begun with changes

scheduled for the near term (see events

highlighted in box at right) facilitating the

ultimate realization of the full potential of

focused logistics.

Focused logistics will effectively link all

logistics functions and units through advanced

information systems that integrate real-time

total asset visibility with a common relevant

operational picture. These systems will

incorporate enhanced decision support tools

that will improve analysis, planning, and

anticipation of warfighter requirements. They

will also provide a more seamless connection to

24

Focused Logistics Transformation Path

FY 01, implement systems to assess customer

confidence from end to end of the logistics

chain using customer wait time metric.

FY 02, implement time definite delivery capabilities using a simplified priority system driven by

the customer’s required delivery date.

FY 04, implement fixed and deployable automated identification technologies and information systems that provide accurate, actionable

total asset visibility.

FY04 for early deploying forces and FY 06 for

the remaining forces, implement a web-based,

shared data environment to ensure the joint

warfighters’ ability to make timely and confident

logistics decisions.

Focused Logistics is the ability to provide the joint force the right personnel, equipment, and

supplies in the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantity, across the full range of military

operations. This will be made possible through a real-time, web-based information system

providing total asset visibility as part of a common relevant operational picture, effectively linking

the operator and logistician across Services and support agencies. Through transformational

innovations to organizations and processes, focused logistics will provide the joint warfighter with

support for all functions.
25

dramatically improved end-to-end management

of the entire logistics system and provide

precise real-time control of the

logistics pipeline to support the

joint force commander’s

priorities. The increased

speed, capacity, and efficiency

of advanced transportation

systems will further improve

deployment, distribution, and

sustainment. Mutual support

relationships and collaborative planning will

enable optimum cooperation with multinational

and interagency partners.

The result for the joint force of the future

will be an improved link between operations

and logistics resulting in precise time-definite

delivery of assets to the warfighter. This

substantially improved operational effectiveness and efficiency, combined with increasing

warfighter confidence in these

new capabilities, will concurrently reduce sustainment

requirements and the

vulnerability of logistics lines of

communication, while appropriately sizing and potentially

reducing the logistics footprint.

The capability for focused

logistics will effectively support

the joint force in combat and

provide the primary operational

the commercial sector to take advantage of

applicable advanced business practices and

commercial economies. Combining these

capabilities with innovative organizational

structures and processes will result in

element in the delivery of humanitarian or

disaster relief, or other activities across the

range of military operations.
Full Dimensional Protection

Our military forces must be capable of

conducting decisive operations despite our

adversaries’ use of a wide range of weapons

(including weapons of mass destruction), the

conduct of information operations or terrorist

attacks, or the presence of asymmetric threats

during any phase of these operations. Our

people and the other military and nonmilitary

assets needed for the successful conduct of

operations must be protected wherever they are

located – from deployment, to theater combat,

to redeployment. Full dimensional protection

exists when the joint force can decisively

achieve its mission with an acceptable degree

of risk in both the physical and information

domains.

The capability for full dimensional

protection incorporates a complete array of both

combat and noncombat actions in offensive and

defensive operations, enabled by information

superiority. It will be based upon active and

passive defensive measures, including theater

26

Full Dimensional Protection is the ability of

the joint force to protect its personnel and

other assets required to decisively execute

assigned tasks. Full dimensional protection

is achieved through the tailored selection and

application of multilayered active and passive

measures, within the domains of air, land,

sea, space, and information across the range

of military operations with an acceptable level

of risk.
27

missile defenses and possibly limited missile

defense of the United States; offensive

countermeasures; security procedures;

antiterrorism measures; enhanced intelligence

collection and assessments; emergency

preparedness; heightened security awareness;

and proactive engagement strategies.

Additionally, it will extend beyond the immediate

theater of operations to protect our reach-back,

logistics, and key capabilities in other locations.

There is a critical need for protection of the

information content and systems vital for

operational success, including increased

vigilance in counterintelligence and information

security. The joint force of 2020 will integrate

protective capabilities from multinational and

interagency partners when available and will

respond to their requirements when possible.

Commanders will thoroughly assess and

manage risk as they apply protective measures

to specific operations, ensuring an appropriate

level of safety, compatible with other mission

objectives, is provided for all assets.

The joint force commander will thereby

be provided an integrated architecture for

protection, which will effectively manage risk to

the joint force and other assets, and leverage

the contributions of all echelons of our forces

and those of our multinational and interagency

partners. The result will be improved freedom

of action for friendly forces and better protection

at all echelons.
INFORMATION OPERATIONS

Information operations are essential to

achieving full spectrum dominance. The joint

force must be capable of conducting information operations, the purpose of which is to

facilitate and protect US decision-making

processes, and in a conflict, degrade those of

an adversary. While activities and capabilities

employed to conduct information operations are

traditional functions of military forces, the pace

of change in the information environment

dictates that we expand this view and explore

broader information operations strategies and

concepts. We must recognize that

“nontraditional” adversaries who engage in

28

Information Operations – those actions taken to affect an adversary’s information and

information systems while defending one’s own information and information systems. (JP1-02)

Information operations also include actions taken in a noncombat or ambiguous situation to

protect one’s own information and information systems as well as those taken to influence target

information and information systems.
29

“nontraditional” conflict are of particular

importance in the information domain. The

United States itself and US forces around the

world are subject to information attacks on a

continuous basis regardless of the level and

degree of engagement in other domains of

operation. The perpetrators of such attacks are

not limited to the traditional concept of a

uniformed military adversary. Additionally, the

actions associated with information operations

are wide-ranging – from physical destruction to

psychological operations to computer network

defense. The task of integrating information

operations with other joint force operations is

complicated by the need to understand the

many variables involved (summarized in box).

engaged in humanitarian relief operations.

Such operations will be synchronized with

those of multinational and interagency partners

as the situation dictates. New offensive

capabilities such as computer network attack

techniques are evolving. Activities such as

information assurance, computer network

defense, and counterdeception will defend

decision-making processes by neutralizing an

adversaries’ perception management and

intelligence collection efforts, as well as direct

attacks on our information systems. Because

the ultimate target of information operations is

the human decision maker, the joint force

commander will have difficulty accurately

assessing the effects of those operations. This

 Multidimensional definition and meaning of “information” – target, weapon,

 resource, or domain of operations

Level of action and desired effect – tactical, operational, strategic, or combination

Objective of operations – providing information, perception management, battle

 field dominance, command and control warfare, systemic disruption, or systemic

 destruction

 Nature of situation – peace, crisis, or conflict

The Variables of Information Operations

Our understanding of the interrelationships of these variables and their impact on

military operations will determine the nature of

information operations in 2020. The joint force

commander will conduct information operations

whether facing an adversary during a conflict or

problem of “battle damage assessment” for

information operations is difficult and must be

explored through exercises and rigorous

experimentation.

The continuing evolution of information

operations and the global information environ-
ment holds two significant implications. First,

operations within the information domain will

become as important as those conducted in the

domains of sea, land, air, and space. Such

operations will be inextricably linked to focused

logistics, full dimensional protection, precision

engagement, and dominant maneuver, as well

as joint command and control. At the same

time, information operations may evolve into a

separate mission area requiring the Services to

maintain appropriately designed organizations

and trained specialists. Improvements in

doctrine, organization, and technology may lead

to decisive outcomes resulting primarily from

information operations. As information

operations continue to evolve, they, like other

military operations, will be conducted consistent

with the norms of our society, our alliances with

other democratic states, and full respect for the

laws of armed conflict. Second, there is

significant potential for asymmetric engagements in the information domain. The United

States has enjoyed a distinct technological

advantage in the information environment and

will likely continue to do so. However, as

potential adversaries reap the benefits of the

information revolution, the comparative

advantage for the US and its partners will

become more difficult to maintain. Additionally,

our ever-increasing dependence on information

processes, systems, and technologies adds

potential vulnerabilities that must be defended.

30
31

Command and control is the exercise of

authority and direction over the joint force. It is

necessary for the integration of the Services’

core competencies into effective joint

operations. The increasing importance of

multinational and interagency aspects of the

operations adds complexity and heightens the

challenge of doing so. Command and control

includes planning, directing, coordinating, and

controlling forces and operations, and is

focused on the effective execution of the

operational plan; but the central function is

decision making.

Command and control is most effective

when decision superiority exists. Decision

processes. While changes in the

information environment have led

some to focus solely on the

contribution of information

superiority to command and

control, it is equally necessary to

understand the complete realm of

command and control decision

making, the nature of organizational collaboration, and especially,

the “human in the loop.”

In the joint force of the future, command

and control will remain the primary integrating

and coordinating function for operational

capabilities and Service components. As the

superiority results from superior information

filtered through the commander’s experience,

knowledge, training, and judgment; the

expertise of supporting staffs and other

organizations; and the efficiency of associated

JOINT COMMAND AND CONTROL

Command and Control – the exercise

of authority and direction by a properly

designated commander over assigned

and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and

control functions are performed

through an arrangement of personnel,

equipment, communications, facilities,

and procedures employed by a

commander in planning, directing,

coordinating, and controlling forces

and operations in the accomplishment

of the mission. (JP1-02)
nature of military operations evolves, there is a

need to evaluate continually the nature of

command and control organizations,

mechanisms, systems, and tools. There are

two major issues to address in this evaluation –

command structures and processes, and the

information systems and technologies that are

best suited to support them. Encompassed

within these two issues, examination of the

following related ideas and desired capabilities

will serve as a catalyst for changes in doctrine,

organization, and training.

  Commanders will need a broad understanding of new operational capabilities and new

(often highly automated) supporting tools in

order to be capable of flexible, adaptive

coordination and direction of both forces

and sensors.

  The staffs that support commanders must

be organized and trained to take advantage

of new capabilities. Commanders and staffs

must also be capable of command and

control in the face of technology failure.

  Commanders will be able to formulate and

disseminate intent based upon up-to-date

knowledge of the situation existing in the

battlespace.

  Joint force headquarters will be dispersed

and survivable and capable of coordinating

dispersed units and operations. Subordinate headquarters will be small, agile,

mobile, dispersed, and networked.

  Faster operations tempos, increased

choices among weapons and effects, and

greater weapons ranges will require

continuous, simultaneous planning and

execution at all levels.

  Expanding roles for multinational and

interagency partners will require

collaborative planning capabilities,

technological compatibility/interoperability,

and mechanisms for efficient information

sharing.

Finally, as these and other changes take

place over time, we must carefully examine

three aspects of the human element of

command and control. First, leaders of the joint

force must analyze and understand the meaning

of unit cohesion in the context of the small,

widely dispersed units that are now envisioned.

Second, decision makers at all levels must

understand the implications of new technologies

that operate continuously in all conditions when

human beings are incapable of the same

endurance. Third, as new information

technologies, systems, and procedures make

the same detailed information available at all

levels of the chain of command, leaders must

understand the implications for decision-making

32
33

processes, the training of decision makers at all

levels, and organizational patterns and

procedures. The potential for overcentralization

of control and the capacity for relatively junior

leaders to make decisions with strategic impact

are of particular importance.

It has often been said that command is

an art and control is a science – a basic truth

that will remain true. Our thinking about

command and control must be conceptually

based, rather than focused on technology or

materiel. Joint command and control is a nexus

– a point of connection. It serves as a focal

point for humans and technology, our evolving

operational capabilities, and the capabilities of

the Services. The development of effective

joint command and control for the future

requires rigorous and wide-ranging

experimentation, focused especially on

organizational innovation and doctrinal change.
Joint Vision 2010 has had a profound

impact on the development of US military

capabilities. By describing those capabilities

necessary to achieve success in 2010, we set

in motion three important efforts. First, JV 2010

established a common framework and

language for the Services to develop and

explain their unique contributions to the joint

force. Second, we created a process for the

conduct of joint experimentation and training to

test ideas against practice. Finally, we began a

process to manage the transformation of

doctrine, organization, training, materiel,

leadership and education, personnel, and

facilities necessary to make the vision a reality.

Joint Vision 2020 builds on this foundation of

success and will sustain the momentum of

these processes.

The foundation of jointness is the

strength of individual Service competencies

pulled together. Our objective in implementing

the joint vision is the optimal integration of all

joint forces and effects. To achieve that goal,

the interdependence of the Services requires

mutual trust and reliance among all warfighters

and a significantly improved level of

interoperability – especially in the areas of

command and control and sustainment. This

interdependence will ultimately result in a whole

greater than the sum of its parts, and will

contribute to achieving full spectrum dominance

through all forces acting in concert. The

synergy gained through the interdependence of

the Services makes clear that jointness is more

than interoperability. The joint force requires

capabilities that are beyond the simple

combination of Service capabilities, and joint

experimentation is

the process by which

those capabilities will

be achieved.

To ensure unity of

effort and continuity

for joint concept

development and

experimentation, the

Secretary of Defense

designated the

Commander in Chief,

Implementation

34

From Concepts to Capabilities
35

Joint Forces Command as

the Executive Agent for

experimentation design,

preparation, execution,

and assessment. Annual

campaign plans provide

focus to this effort and

continuity in experimentation. The results of this

iterative experimentation

cycle are forwarded as comprehensive

recommendations for changes in doctrine,

organization, training, materiel, leadership and

education, personnel, and facilities and lead to

the co-evolution of all those elements. The

experimentation and implementation process

supporting the transformation of the joint force

is also dependent upon Service and combatant

command exercises and experimentation

activities. The Service and combatant

command visions support the joint vision by

providing guidance for these individual efforts

that are congruent with the Chairman’s vision.

Thus, in their own experimentation venues, the

Services may develop recommendations with

joint implications and will forward them to the

appropriate joint experimentation activity.

To effect transforming and enduring

changes to our joint military capabilities, the

experimentation and implementation process

must include construction of a wide range of

scenarios and imaginative conflict simulations

to explore the shape of future operations. Such

From Vision to Experimentation

 Joint Vision 2010 (1996)

 Concept for Future Joint Operations (1997)

21st Century Challenges and Desired Operational Capabilities (1997)

 Joint Warfighting Experimentation Program established, USACOM

 (JFCOM) as Executive Agent (1998)

Joint Vision Implementation Master Plan (1998)

 CJCSI 3170, Requirements Generation System (1999)

 JFCOM Joint Experimentation Campaign Plans (1999 and 2000)

intensive exploration of alternative concepts of

operations can help the US military choose

innovations that take the greatest advantage of

combinations of new ideas and new

technologies. The rapid pace of such changes

will then drive further development of the

experimentation and implementation process to

field improved capabilities for the joint force.

The linchpin of progress from vision to

experimentation to reality is joint training and

education – because they are the keys to

intellectual change. Without intellectual

change, there is no real change in doctrine,

organizations, or leaders. Thus, the

implementation process is dependent upon

incorporating concepts validated by

experimentation into joint professional military

education programs and joint exercises. In this

way, individual Service members and units

become a joint team capable of success across

the full range of military operations.
Conclusion

36

This vision is firmly grounded in the view

that the US military must be a joint force

capable of full spectrum dominance. Its basis

is four-fold: the global interests of the United

States and the continuing existence of a wide

range of potential threats to those interests; the

centrality of information technology to the

evolution of not only our own military, but also

the capabilities of other actors around the

globe; the premium a continuing broad range of

military operations will place on the successful

integration of multinational and interagency

partners and the interoperability of processes,

organizations, and systems; and our reliance on

the joint force as the foundation of future US

military operations.

further experimentation, exercises, analysis,

and conceptual thought, especially in the

arenas of information operations, joint

command and control, and multinational and

interagency operations.

This vision recognizes the importance of

technology and technical innovation to the US

military and its operations. At the same time, it

emphasizes that technological innovation must

be accompanied by intellectual innovation

leading to changes in organization and doctrine.

Only then can we reach the full potential of the

joint force – decisive capabilities across the full

range of military operations. Such a vision

depends upon the skill, experience, and training

of the people comprising the Total Force and

their leaders. The major innovations necessary

to operate in the environment depicted herein

can only be achieved through the recruitment,

development, and retention of men and women

with the courage, determination, and strength to

ensure we are persuasive in peace, decisive in

war, and preeminent in any form of conflict.

Joint Vision 2020 builds on the foundation and maintains the momentum established

with Joint Vision 2010. It confirms the direction

of the ongoing transformation of operational

capabilities, and emphasizes the importance of