Information has always been an important contributor to military decision making, whether as intelligence or for resource management. In modern warfare, information has become a capability which can be used in lieu of more traditional weapons. So called "information operations" are recognized as important capabilities, but have not been well-integrated into the decision making processes. This field project is a qualitative study of cognitive and cultural factors influencing decisions about selecting information operations as a course of action. A methodology was developed based on an Information Landscape Model to examine the complex information situation. The approach combined elements of ethnosemantics, semiotics, and rhetorical criticism to analyze information operations articles in professional military journals. The analysis revealed cultural dimensions which influence decision making about information operations. The information landscape model viewed these results through frames of information governance and public relations research. The results of this study are useful for military and civilian decision makers and planners, developers of modeling and simulation capabilities, and researchers in the field of military culture and decision making.
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