Given the Absence of Established Doctrine, are there Concepts and Doctrinal Guidance Available from Varying Sources, Which are Relevant to Shaping the Capabilities of the Jamaica Defence Force to Achieve its Mission in the 21st Century

摘要

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is desirous of establishing written doctrine for the organization. This paper seeks to review the doctrine of the British, Chinese and US armed forces with a view to extracting and composing considerations for the JDF in its establishment of doctrine at the strategic level. Doctrine comprises strategic, operational and tactical guidance to the various levels of leadership within military organizations. This document focuses on the tenets of strategic level doctrine. The formulation of doctrine is based on historical lessons learned in combat, culture, interests (as stated generically in the National Security Strategy (NSS) of states), the constitution, environment, and all aspects of organizational development. Doctrine is characterized by a unique nature and its relevance is constantly threatened by a changing environment. It is acknowledged that despite the unique nature of doctrine to a country, there are considerations which are relevant and can be sufficiently adapted to serve the local conditions of the Jamaican environment. This will serve to provide a framework upon which strategic level doctrine can be established and institutionalized in the JDF. This is with a view to achieving the mandate of synchronizing all available resources in safeguarding the political and territorial sovereignty of the island nation.