Where Should I Be? The Operational Commander in 2010: Effective Positioning in Conflict and Planning

This monograph examines the most effective theater positioning of a US Forces operational commander in a conflict conducted in 2O1O. The monograph first defines who it is who practices operational command (differentiating between operational level and operational function). It then offers a test of utility of operation commander behavior to determine if a commander's positioning assists or detracts from the effectiveness of his or her command. Next, the monograph offers five historical vignettes that explore how the operational commander's therein exercised command. From this study the author presents a historical model that describes the effective methods of these historical commanders. After describing general environmental and technological changes likely to be in place twelve years from now, the monograph deduces modifications to the historical model which yield a model for the future. The monograph concludes that technological improvements and environmental changes may produce a command post that offers a panacea of gadgets, information, and multi-dimensional illustrations. Effective operational commanders in 2010 will sometimes position themselves there to utilize these capabilities, but will avoid gluing themselves to this Schlieffen envisioned utopia. Instead, effective operational commanders will use technology to facilitate movement throughout their area of operations, normally using personal contact-and sometimes virtual contact-to ascertain truths and impart their intent.