Applying Lessons of Trust in Future Command Arrangements

摘要

This monograph elucidates lessons of trust learned through the study of historical command relationships between soldier and airman. The monograph highlights the need to apply lessons learned from these case studies to today's operating environment. The case studies examined are as follows: Generals Bradley and Quesada in Worl War II, Generals Schwarzkopf and Horner in Operation Desert Storm, and Generals Clark and Short in Operation Allied Force. The first case study examines both sides of competing air power concepts as well as the individual officers' thoughts on the employment of air power. The author then describes the existing command structure these officers operated within, specifically noting the command arrangements in place and where each officer stood in the chain of command in relation to his counterpart. The second case study begins with a brief glimpse into the importance and evolution of AirLand Battle doctrine, focusing on its impact on air power conceptualization. The author then examines the trust General Schwarzkopf had for General Horner, and how Horner fostered that trust through competence. The last case study, about the relationship between Generals Clark and Short, illustrates a lack of trust between airman and soldier, and the impact it had on future air power conceptualization. This monograph concludes by showing that command and control structures that foster trust through competence can bridge the gap created by conceptual differences in air power application. Command structures that bring air power expertise to the supported commander allow for a synergistic application of the tools at the disposal of the commander.