Coping with Uncertainty: Command and Control in Information Degraded Environments

摘要

The contemporary operational-level commander is accustomed to leveraging an abundance of information within a highly collaborative headquarters, and with a centralized command and staff structure at his disposal. The era of 'forward reach' has provided persistent connectivity at all levels of war, which commanders have used to their advantage in Iraq and Afghanistan. As technology and human decision making are inextricably linked through Command and Control (C2), a future operating environment characterized by hybrid threats in which networks and information systems may be degraded begets sobering implications for the Joint Force Commander. To ensure success in an information degraded environment, the Joint Force needs to adapt doctrine, training, education, and command organization to enable a C2 process capable of coping with uncertainty. This study explores C2 theory in context with the future operational environment, specifically, information domain challenges to U.S. C2. By juxtaposing the future operating environment with current operations, the theory will be applied to develop recommendations pertaining to doctrine, training, education, and command organization that provide the Joint Force with the flexibility to operate effectively in information degraded environments.