Campaign Planning: An Effective Concept for Military Operations Other Than War.

This monograph examines current campaign planning doctrine to determine adequacy in preparing for military operations other than war. Based on the end of the Cold War, military operations have expanded to meet diverse requirements. Joint doctrine categorizes the range of military operations as conventional war or military operations other than war. War is the large scale employment of military force in sustained combat to achieve victory. Military operations other than war focus on deterring war and promoting peace. Joint and service campaign planning doctrine focus on war but recent publications expound on the unique planning characteristics associated with military operations other than war. This monograph first looks at campaign planning doctrine, specifically the fundamentals of campaign planning according to Joint Publication 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operation. It then examines the potential threat and environment associated with the evolving international situation. The paper then develops a historical background using Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. These operations provide a foundation for analyzing the fundamentals of campaign planning as they relate to military operations other than war. The paper organizes these fundamentals in five categories: strategic aims and military objectives: operational intelligence: centers of gravity analysis: commanders guidance and intent: operational concepts and phasing: and command and control. These categories provide a methodology for analyzing the fundamentals of campaign planning for operations short of war. The conclusion illustrates that current joint and service campaign planning doctrine adequately cover military operations short of war. Campaign planning doctrine provides a framework and process for developing plans across the spectrum of conflict. This process works effectively in MOOTW as long as commanders and planners understand the differences associated with these environments.