Before Putting Mouth (and Operation) in Gear, Ensure Brain is Engaged: The importance of Communication and Information in Military Operations

摘要

This study is an examination of the role of information and communication in war and military operations. This involves communication with the American public, its military and the adversary. How can America and its military best incorporate an information campaign into its overall plan and more importantly, why should it do so. The role of information has, and will continue to increase and every message and action carries with it intended and unintended results. Having a strong strategy and plan of action, instead of an ad hoc plan, will help America convey its messages and influence the operation and audiences both at home and abroad. Tied in closely is that public perception and will, Clausewitz's moral force, affect decision makers on both sides. Influence those perceptions can help make the case for US involvement. Three case studies, the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift, the 1968 Tet Offensive and American military operations in the early 1990s, Desert Storm and Restore Hope, are examined. How America told its story and justified its military actions are key ingredients in how successful an operation was while cognitive dissonance between what the government said was happening and what the American people were actually seeing played a large role in undermining support. This study will show that a robust, planned and sourced information/communication component is a necessity in any military operation.