MECC Working Group Discussion Topic Leader Development An Operational Perspective

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MECC Working Group Discussion TopicLeader
Development An Operational Perspective
United States Joint Forces Command Joint
Warfighting Center
Colonel Terrance J. McCaffrey III, USAF Chief,
Doctrine Education Group Joint Warfighting
Center U.S. Joint Forces Command
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Purpose
To provide some operational perspectives from a
consumers view of Joint PME graduates.

• Our opening thoughts After 7 years at war
• What have we learned?
• How do we incorporate our best insights into
  JPME?
• Are we teaching the right things now?
• Are we teaching the right folks at the right
  time?
• Teaching joint concepts too early distracts
  students from functional warfighting
  competencies
• too late makes them marginal performers on JTF
  staffs, etc. 

Bottom line These considerations also affect
training, doctrine and ultimately operations, now
and in future
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General Insights and Observations
Sense for what's different complexities joint
force dealing with are ever-changing,
human-centric, PMESII driven

• No longer about the "plan" (deliberate planning)
  but the "planning" (adaptive, iterative
  campaigning)
• Training is not enough to prepare joint force
  for success
• Enemy too adaptive, smart conditions too
  nuanced, dynamic, multifaceted for kinetics only
• Expertise in IO, StratCom, contracting, NetOps,
  IW, culture, etc. is new standard for competent
  joint force
• Re-examining doctrine / training / education
  relationships must be comprehensive
• Train for the expected educate for the
  unexpected

Bottom line Can't get to an adaptive, trained
joint force if it isn't educated properly
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Comprehensive Approach to Education
Many on-going studies, education initiatives and
proposals offer important opportunities for
synthesis, synergy   

• Congr Skeltons remarks on Exploring Innovation
  and Leadership provides context for what is
  needed
• COIN Targeting and ISR (CTI) Study
• Defense Science Board Study (JCS USJFCOM)
• Joint Staff Officer Study
• National Security Education Consortium
  Professional
• Hosted by NDU (2007-2008)

Bottom line comprehensive approach to education
means connecting the many dots of these studies,
initiatives
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Recommendations to Working Group
Long term education and training strategies
creates the conditions for rapid and successful
action   

• Discern the comprehensive strategy for advancing
  U.S. interests (Skelton)
• Develop comprehensive education strategies that
  enables adaptive, agile, competent joint force
  thinkers
• Inculcate a cognitive frequency for joint
  warfighters to sense culture, traditions and
  customs of the other
• Ensure education strategies for active forces
  are equivalent for Guard Reserve forces
• Explore opportunities for incorporating senior
  enlisted battle captains into Joint PME

Bottom line coherently educated joint forces
create power that exceeds the sum of the
individual military capabilities