Toward Improved Coalition Interoperability - A Coalition Environmental Approach in the International Strategic Arena

Abstract

NOTE: This is a student paper -Mr. Bryant is a member of the 2000 Cohort of the Defense Leadership and Management Program (DLAMP) Report Documentation PageForm Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. AbstractIn the years since the end of the cold war, the Department of Defense, with the military services, has seen a significant increase in taskings for complex-contingency operations (CCOs). The framework for CCO response is found in Presidential Decision Directive -56 (PDD-56), Managing Complex Contingency Operations, and paralleled in the Federal Response Plan (FRP) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Traditionally, the response to CCOs has been remedial, i.e., response to the symptoms. However, if root causes could be attacked ahead of time, CCOs might be prevented from occurring. Another facilitating framework for solutions is available.Recent efforts address many command and control aspects of the Revolution in Military Affairs in the building blocks of technology and doctrine. Another critical block is organization factors. The authors specifically address the extension of a collaborative framework, modeled on the Coastal America Partnership. This framework could be applied on an inter-agency and international basis to support the FEMA's Federal Response Plan implementation, DOD and inter-agency CCO responsiveness, innovative application of technical developments, and allied and coalition interoperability.The follow-up result could be reduced taskings for CCOs by pro-active collaborative mitigation of societal needs and roots causes, and ultimately improved readiness and coalition interoperability due to sustained resource availability.