Shaping The World Through 'Engagement': Assessing the Department of Defense's Theater Engagement Planning Process

摘要

The Department of Defense (DoD) launched in 1997/98 an ambitious planning initiative that could have a major impact upon how resources are allocated among the military departments and the combatant commanders-in-chief (CINCs). The National Command Authorities have directed the geographic CINCs to implement the administration's strategy of 'shaping' within their areas of responsibility. In the past, no single, unifying planning mechanism existed within the Joint Strategic Planning System to address shaping. As a result, the DoD now seeks to ensure that all shaping activities conducted by the U.S. armed forces are executed to further U.S. policy and national security objectives. The Theater Engagement Plan (TEP) system has been in existence for almost 4 years. From its early problematic initiation and the reluctance of many in the DoD and the armed forces to take it seriously, the TEP has become a major agenda item particularly for the geographic CINCs. Many in the combatant commands see the TEP as providing an important instrument that strengthens their respective positions in the never ending struggle to obtain the forces and capabilities needed to implement theater strategies. Therefore, the TEP must be consistent with military department Title 10 responsibilities to raise, train and equip the U.S. armed forces.