Commanders and Communication

摘要

To reap the benefits of a staff imbued with a communication mindset, commanders must support communication efforts so those efforts can be effective. Communication is commanders' business. If a commander does not recognize its importance, buy in to it, and support it, an essential tool will go unused, which in some cases could mean mission failure. It is the responsibility of the commander to establish a communication mindset that permeates the command. The mindset must assimilate the operators as well as the organizations that are normally recognized as communicators. Staff sections that recognize and consider the importance of the communication aspects of their actions will help eliminate the say-do gap potentially generated during planning for operations. Additionally, a commander who empowers subordinates to communicate, while also recognizing when and where his or her special role in communication should be used, will be more effective than a commander who disregards his or her communication responsibilities. In sum, a commander who effectively uses communication will be able to more effectively set the conditions for future operations and may even be able to prevent needless conflict in the future.