JFCOM J7

JFCOM J7

JFCOM J7

Introduction

On the 9th of August 2010, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates notified the American Public of his recommendation to the President to “kill” the United States Joint Forces Command. (Time.com 10 Aug, 2010) As we decipher what that means, we must convince the Secretary that certain of the capabilities must remain, including the Joint Training and Readiness of COCOM Staffs and the ability to rapidly and successfully activate a Joint Task Force (JTF). Maintaining certain of these capabilites is supported by a number of elected officials including Virginia Congressman Glenn Nye, “The proposal by the defense department to close JFCOM is short sighted and without merit… Eliminating the Command does not eliminate the demand for these critical missions” (Nye.house.gov). Specifically, The Joint Staff must preserve the capabilities of the JFCOM J7, Joint Warfighting Center and the Joint Enabling Command to ensure they remain in the war fighter's quiver (Bohnemann, 2002).

The United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) J7 houses a number of Joint Training Capabilities and through the Joint Training Directorate/Joint Warfighting Center, trains forces and develops joint doctrine. The Joint Warfighting Center (JWFC) conducts joint exercises, develops and executes realistic joint training for Combatant Commanders (COCOMS) and Services. They also prepare Joint Task Force Commanders and their staffs for contingency operations with Mission Rehearsal Exercises and support other joint training exercises. (JFCOM.mil)

Capstone, Pinnacle and Keystone are joint education for SR Officers and Enlisted and are well known for the introduction they provide to the major capabilities the various services offer as well as mentoring from Sr Officers who have commanded at the four star level.

In addition to the joint training capabilities provided by the JWFC, the “distinct and separate” Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC) provides joint force commanders with immediate access to essential joint force headquarters capabilities, an adaptive planning organization well versed in both Crisis Action Planning and Deliberate Planning. (Hirrel, 2002)

In a letter to the Secretary of Defense following his announcement, House Representative Glen Nye and Randy Forbes and Senators Mark Warner and James Webb, “We urge you to conduct a more complete review of JFCOM's mission and activities whitout a pre disposed intient to close the Command.” (Washington Post.com 18 Aug 2010)

JWFC History

In 1983 the need for joint doctrine and training became apparent when, in Grenada, US Forces conducting Operation Urgent Fury removed a communist led government and restored the legitimate government, rescuing several American Medical Students in the process. (Specialoperations.com)

Although the operation was successful, a congressional investigation suggested the services had a limited ability to integrate during the operation and further articulated a requirement for “Joint Doctrine”. As a result of the congressional investigation; the Senate Armed Services Committee recommended establishing a “Joint Warfare Center” (JWC) in order to 'develop joint doctrine, tactics and procedures. Further the JWC was to evaluate and exercise joint operations using extensive simulation.' Within 18 months, changes were evident to the way the US Armed Forces conducted joint operations (Bohnemann, ...