Mission Command (2)

Mission Command

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Introduction

Mission command refers to the military command style. Mission command is the army’s command approach and control that empowers subordinates to make decisions. The technique also enhances decentralized execution that is appropriate to the situation at hand. The Commander gives subordinates a ‘mission’ or purpose in mission command. This ‘mission’ is a statement of the desired end-state, not how to reach that end state. The Commander delegates authority to the subordinate level and holds them accountable for achieving the mission by setting time-sensitive objectives (e.g., time and place) and measures. Subordinates decide how to reach those objectives within their means and capabilities. The Commander does not plan or manage for them and has no higher-level doctrines to impose on his subordinates. He provides resources, support, assistance and stays out of the way unless his subordinates require his help.

In military command, mission command involves a leader at some level of the chain of command, which shows failure in their duty. The principles of mission command are mission orders, risk acceptance, Commander’s intent, shared understanding, disciplined initiative, mutual trust, and competence. By applying these principles, commanders can command an operation with confidence. In the course of a discussion on doctrine, the Commander must identify the mission and the environment. The Mission Commander must also make a decision to accept or not accept risk. The Commander has to specify his intent so that all commanders will know how he wants them to conduct their missions. Thus, there is a need for clear and concise orders, even if they are no longer used formally (Rubel, 2018).

Principles of Mission Command

Mutual Trust

In mission command, the principle of mutual trust refers to the special relationship of trust and mutual respect between a commander and subordinate. The subordinate trusts the Commander to command competently and achieve success on their behalf (Mikaloff). It refers to an understanding between general and Commander that the Commander has complete authority and responsibility to command, direct and control all assigned or attached forces. The commanding officer has broad discretion to use their judgment, what we might call “the art of command.” The idea of mutual trust in mission command is at odds with the concept of hierarchy, organized with strict discipline. The degree of mutual trust varies depending on specific military leadership philosophies, including rank, maturity, experience, innovation skillset, contextual awareness, and so on. The South Korean soldiers had mutual trust in each other even though the army lacked the necessary equipment.

Disciplined Initiative

The principle of Disciplined Initiative refers to empowering adaptive and agile leaders in mission command. This principle focuses on the work to do in response to any given task or situation, no matter what obstacles present. The goal is not just a desired outcome but also strategic planning and leadership capabilities. This principle can only function when adopted as part of the culture or mission command manual and incorporated in the training regimen for all leaders. There must be an understanding that mission command means different things for different people to accomplish this. The most crucial factor is that it needs to make sense in relation to the current situation. This approach has proven relevant in wartime because it lessens hesitation from arbitrary decisions based on higher priorities, leading to increased efficiency and more success with fewer resources. According to the Garrett, poor leadership leads poor preparation.

Mission orders

The principle of mission orders in mission command is used in military organizations to allow the Commander to order subordinates to carry out specific tasks. There are two principles of mission orders: a. Mission command system b. Principle of mission orders. The principle of mission orders is the decision-making process that ensures that every task and every subordinate is focused on completing the missions as quickly, efficiently, and effectively as possible. There is a need for the principle of mission orders to ensure that subordinates understand roles and responsibilities and the objectives of the mission. The principle of mission orders also improves unity of command, simplifies command relationships, enhances situational awareness, results in self-sufficiency, and results in subordinates focusing on completing their role/responsibilities with minimal disruption. According to Garret, “On 30 June 1950, MG Dean received the order from Gen Walker, the Eighth Army commander,”.

Risk acceptance

The principle of Risk acceptance in mission command is a principle which states that the Commander of a military unit, responsible for military operations, should be responsible for deciding whether to take particular risks to accomplish the mission. The Commander who has accepted responsibility for a decision should not pass it on without very compelling reasons. This principle was one of General Norman Schofield’s life and career guiding principles. General Norman Schofield was born at Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 1881 into an upper-class English family with connections with royalty. He attended Harrow School and then studied modern history at Oxford University before training as an army officer at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. He won many prizes, including Queen Victoria’s sword. South Korean army risked going to war without adequate equipment. This inadequacy led to the army compensating it with their lives.

Commander’s intent

The principle of Commander’s intent refers to a clear expression of an operation’s purpose and the desired end state of the military. This expression provides the staff with focus, supports mission command, and assists the subordinates in achieving the Commander’s desired results. At the operational level, ‘intent’ is a general statement describing what the Commander intends to do or wants to be done during a mission. The intent is not an order. It does not give any particular action but instead describes the operation that needs to be accomplished and leaves it up to subordinate units. The difference between intent and orders is that orders are explicit instructions on how something must be done and obeyed. In contrast, stated intentions remain within the scope of responsibility for each subordinate unit commander. LTC Smith needed adequate time to undertake reconnaissance of the terrain.

Shared understanding

The principle of shared understanding in mission command refers to the idea that the Commander must share an understanding with subordinates as to what is occurring in the mission. As a leader, you provide clarity and insight through your words to ensure your team can apply these same guidelines to their day-to-day operations. The principle helps leaders relay instructions in a way that inspires confidence and trust in the members of their team while also creating an intimate bond by having “one voice” among leaders and teammates throughout a mission (Pearce et al., 2021). These are two critical ways in which teams avoid confusion and continue operations without significant issues or errors along the way. Lack of shared understanding and coordination caused the fall of the South Korean army in various battles that they participated.

Competence

The principle of competence in mission command involves the capability of a unit’s leader to lead by their competence, without the need for detailed plans. The theory was developed during World War II and espoused by British military officer Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. The principle is considered central to the success of every military unit in battle from then until now, as it provides clear leadership that would not be possible if teams had to be micromanaged constantly by officers on the ground. Competence in Mission command is most effective when commanders can exercise discretion and independence, with orders being given clearly on an “as needed” basis. This allows for better cooperation among staff members who can take the initiative in day-to-day activities with minimal guidance from above. North Korean army had a capable and competent leader that ensures provision of adequate equipment.

Command and Control

Elements of command

A command can be defined as the process by which someone or something gives a set of orders to others for a specific purpose or goal. There are different types or levels of command, but most fall into one category: strategic management. Strategic management consists of three types: business, system, and tactical. The main command elements are authority, responsibility, decision-making, and leadership. Other elements are essential, such as supporting the mission, achieving mission objectives, and performance. All these elements help make up the command structure in any given organization or group.

Elements of Control

Elements of Control in mission command are direction, feedback, information, and communication. The direction element involves defining objectives and ensuring the task force clearly understands those objectives. The element of feedback uses assessments and results to provide timely feedback to the military Commander on whether or not their plan is working as intended. Information is critical with this element as it helps manage resources and gives the Commander an accurate overview of what is going on within their mission area. And finally, communication ensures that they have all the critical information necessary for continued operations.

Command and Control as a Warfighting Functions

Warfighting Functions

Warfighting Functions refers to systems and tasks that enable a commander to synchronize and converge all elements of combat power effectively. The mission command functions are Planning, Direction, Support, and Training (Ploumis, 2020). For example, an Infantry platoon is tasked with searching and destroying an urban environment during warfighting operations. A commander of this platoon needs to make sure he has his maps updated with correct coordinates of the target building before engaging in armed conflict. He also needs to ensure his subordinate leaders know the current situation before deploying their troops into that area of operation. Once they have calmed any unruly civilians to any critical infrastructure outside the area, they will be entering. He coordinates air support for troops on the ground while ensuring no collateral damage to nearby buildings or lives on either side.

Tasks

Major tasks in mission command are command forces, control operations, establishing command and control systems, and driving the operations process. Command forces task to manage operational procedures, personnel, and resources. Control operations tasks are to plan and execute the operation with available resources. Establish command and control systems tasks are to develop systems that ensure commanders can easily exercise their authority during the procedure. Drive the operations process tasks are to establish priorities for an operation, synchronize operational actions across different lines of effort, employ all available assets for maximum effect, and coordinate or train subordinates on a particular skill set. These tasks are evident in the Task Force Smith; south Korea had uncoordinated operations and ultimately failed.

Command and Control System

Command and Control System in mission command involves people, processes, networks, and command posts. Military operations are not simple tasks to take on, especially when considering the many projects that need to be completed given any typical operation (Chen et al., 2021). The command and control system ensures that everything remains under control throughout any given operation. Task Force Smith displays the Principle of Command and Control System. It starts when the captain of a ship requests that an order be given to a subordinate. The subordinate will then try to follow the order by taking some action. If this is not possible, the subordinate will attempt to find another way of carrying out what was ordered in accordance with their professional judgment and experience.

Conclusion

Mission command is a military concept that focuses on “mission” rather than purely on “command. The founder created the concept to address problem areas in traditional military command structures. It has evolved to include many tenets of leadership, management, and strategy, to help fight as well as possible with a minimal loss of life and resources. The concept advocates that team members be given the full decision-making authority relative to their rank on accomplishing the assigned mission or goal. This is to increase initiative and flexibility and reduce the likelihood of inappropriate orders being given, according to the experience and expertise of each individual. The principles of mission command are vital to ensure success of any mission. Competent leaders are vital in any army since they ensure the army has everything they need to ensure they win a battle.

References

Burke, R. P. (2018). Command and Control: Challenging Fallacies of the military Model’s Research and Practice. International Journal of Mass Emergencies & Disasters, 36(2).

Matzenbacher, M. B. (2018). The US Army and mission command. Military Review, 2018, 61-71.

Mikaloff, M. R. S. School of Advanced Military Studies United States Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Pearce, A. P., Naumann, D. N., & O’Reilly, D. (2021). Mission command: applying military leadership principles to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis. BMJ Mil Health, 167(1), 3-4.

Ploumis, M. (2020). Mission command and philosophy for the 21st century. Comparative Strategy, 39(2), 209-218.

Rubel, R. C. (2018). Mission Command in a Future Naval Combat Environment. Naval War College Review, 71(2), 109-121.

Garrett, J. (2000). Task Force Smith The Lesson Never Learned. ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES.

Chen, X., Li, L., Zhang, W., & Li, L. (2021, December). Command and Control System in Intelligentized Warfare. In 2021 IEEE Conference on Telecommunications, Optics and Computer Science (TOCS) (pp. 951-954). IEEE.