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Fragility of Air Dominance
From the thesis abstract: "Today the United States (US) military is facing what is described as a budget 'catastrophe' despite continued threats from asymmetric, conventional, and non-conventional forces. At the same time, the world is experiencing a shift to a 'multi-nodal' world that challenges regional stability. The US military is required to operate across the full spectrum of operations to meet the National Military Strategy objectives in an environment that is experiencing a revolution in military technology. While the US has enjoyed a technological advantage for decades, adversary transformation efforts are chipping away at our comparative advantages. The shrinking margins within 'air dominance' may continue to decrease to the point US forces will be faced with a new and unacceptable level of risk in future operations. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether these decisions are undermining US air dominance and to question whether future joint forces will be able to operate across a full spectrum of possible conflict."
Army War College (U.S.)
Waite, Ralph J., IV
2012-03-22
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Current Trends in Organized Hate Groups and Their Impact on the United States Army
From the thesis abstract: "The hate-motivated murders of Michael James and Jackie Burden in Fayetteville, North Carolina, by three Fort Bragg soldiers resulted in an unprecedented self-examination by direction of the Secretary of the Army on the extent of extremism in the Army. In the four years since 1995 there were significant changes in the hate movement that will impact on the Army in the future as it struggles to deal with manifestations of extremist behavior. This study examines ramifications of soldiers that participate in hate groups, considers several significant hate group trends, and looks at the Army response to soldiers who do not internalize Army values. Except for some notable measures taken at the installation level after well-publicized events the long-term Army response lags behind measures taken at the federal and state levels."
Army War College (U.S.)
Reed, George E.
1999-01-23
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Defeating Terrorism Through a Politico-Military Strategy: The Sri Lankan Experience
From the thesis abstract: "Sri Lanka is situated near southern India. Its 25,332 sq. mi. in extent and has a population of 21 million people consisting of three distinct ethic groups; Sinhalese (74%), Tamils (18%) and Muslims (7%). Divide et [impera] of the colonial rule and short sighted policies of Sinhalese and Tamil extremist socialist and nationalist elements in the post independence era, led to social movements in the 1920s and 1950s respectively. In 1970s, these movements transformed into insurgencies and terrorists and lasted for nearly three decades. The governments that came to power since 1983 failed to successfully resolve the insurgency due to geo-political influences and failure to comprehensively frame the ethnic problem. However, governments since 1990 finally comprehended the dynamics of the ethnic problem and, through a pragmatic counter-terrorism strategy, were successful in isolating the ruthless international terrorist organization, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) and comprehensively defeated it in May 2009. The success was a result of the comprehensive politico-military strategy developed and implemented by the Sri Lankan government."
Army War College (U.S.)
Perera, Udaya
2012-03-21
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U.S. Government's Employment of Private Security Companies Abroad
From the thesis abstract: "The recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have facilitated a 206% increase in the U.S. use of Private Security Companies (PSCs), with the number growing to more than 28,000 personnel as of March 31, 2011. These increases have fueled the PSCs industry worldwide, and present significant challenges for management and oversight. Although U.S. Policy must address these challenges, PSCs will likely remain a part of our operational environment abroad. U.S. Policy makers should consider PSCs use as a viable option for defensive security missions under certain conditions. U.S. policy must continue to support international efforts to establish recognized industry standards in order to improve PSCs regulation and oversight in future operations."
Army War College (U.S.)
Shearer, Eugene
2012-03-14
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Improving Leadership Development within U.S. Customs and Border Protection
From the thesis abstract: "In direct response to the attacks on September 11, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stood as America's guardians. More than 58,000 men and women have shouldered the monumental responsibility of securing America's borders, protecting the American public against terrorists and fostering economic security through facilitating and securing legitimate trade. In the face of a tighter fiscal reality, an increasingly youthful and inexperienced work force and an aging senior leadership corps readying for retirement, leadership development has never been more important. This strategy research paper will examine the current leadership development policies and programs within CBP while studying alternative proven models from successful organizations, as well as ideologies found in the most recent research of the topic in academia. The outcome of this analysis intends to provide provocative ideas to improve CBP's leadership development efforts and help assure CBP has a competent, skilled and ready corps of strategic leaders well in to the future."
Army War College (U.S.)
Ross, Scott K.
2012-03-12
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Strategic Decision Space: The Marine Corps in the 21st Century
From the thesis abstract: "Strategic leaders desire as much decision space as possible before committing to a course of action and applying national resources during a crisis or conflict. The nature of the future security environment and the locations where dynamic global trends are converging to create instability requires the United States to exploit its' asymmetric advantage in expeditionary naval power. Assured access and crisis response capability throughout the global commons and littorals allow the US to project power and reassure our allies and partners. Forward deployed amphibious forces create options for the National Security Council (NSC) to maintain, or regain, relative advantage in the strategic decision space during an emerging crises or conflict. The Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) provides a sound construct for posturing credible and capable amphibious forces to protect and secure our national interests. When aboard naval shipping and utilizing the sea as maneuver space, the MAGTF can rapidly project capabilities across the range of military operations (ROMO) and set the conditions for the Joint Force to conduct follow-on operations. Whether responding to crisis or conflict, the MAGTF is postured to expand the strategic decision space of the NSC. "
Army War College (U.S.)
Shenberger, Matthew
2012-03-12
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Strategic Technology
From the thesis abstract: "This paper examines the concept of technological surprise and offers insights as to where future investments might most be needed. Analysis of recent trends and studies on technological surprise present a rich resource for development of analytical criteria to evaluate current efforts toward preventing or overcoming technological surprise. The analytical criteria are then used to evaluate the current organization and strategy of the United States Navy in this area. Finally, recent historical examples of technological surprise are evaluated against this analytical scheme to develop potential areas for improvement. This paper argues for a systematic, approach to technology analysis, awareness and information sharing. It examines the expansion and investigation of massive multi-player gaming environments to facilitate expert education, collaboration and experimentation. Finally, it recommends a focus on red team analysis and experimentation as a means of minimizing strategic surprise from technological sources. To fully explore potential strategic futures DOD must adopt a systematic approach to ensure education, collaboration and experimentation amongst operational, scientific and technical intelligence expert communities."
Army War College (U.S.)
Boswell, James E.
2012-03-11
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National Guard State Partnership Program: Element of Smart Power
From the thesis abstract: "As the nation confronts its current economic crisis, the Department of Defense faces budget reductions between four hundred billion and one trillion dollars over the next ten years. Yet in spite of constrained resources the United States must continue to meet National Security challenges in this 'era of persistent conflict'. The strategy to meet these challenges and overcome diminished capacity will rely more heavily than ever on security cooperation, engagement and building partner capacities. Gaining security cooperation and aiding partner nations to develop themselves is a way to shape the environment, deter conflict and assure access and assistance in the event of conflict. For nearly two decades, the National Guard State Partnership Program has done all of this and more. Since long before the term 'smart power' was coined, the State Partnership Program has evolved, almost imperceptibly, as a means to employ a 'whole of society' approach to building partner capacity. This paper will demonstrate that the State Partnership Program is an effective and economical tool that facilitates a bridge between military engagement and civilian diplomacy in support of the National Security Policies of the United States."
Army War College (U.S.)
Williams, James N.
2012-03-09
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Coast Guard's Critical Role as an Armed Service
From the thesis abstract: "As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Coast Guard continue to evolve and adjust to a post-9-11 world, it has caused some to question the Coast Guard's need to continue as an active member of the armed forces. Although the multi-mission aspects of the Coast Guard are still respected and valued, in an environment where mission requirements outnumber available resources, the Coast Guard's non-Homeland Security-centric missions can appear to compete with or distract the agency from the core missions and interests of the Department. Yet there are distinct and specific advantages that DHS realizes by having the Coast Guard serve as an active member of the armed forces. The benefits, authorities, and advantages gained by DHS in support of national interests by supporting and maintaining the Coast Guard's status as a member of the armed forces is worth the additional costs and burdens born by the Coast Guard and Department to maintain that status, even during the current decremental and austere budget environment. "
Army War College (U.S.)
Warren, Robert W.
2012-03-22
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Army Force Structure Considerations in Defense Support of Civil Authorities
From the thesis abstract: "The threat to the United States today remains complex and both ambiguous and apparent. Although the nation's assets have removed portions of the threat over the past ten years, it is by no means removed from the picture. While major strides in planning, preparation, funding and training in support of homeland defense and civil support occurred over the past ten years, there remains significant room for improvement. All strategic documents dealing with national security include the imperative of responding to threats to and within the homeland, whether manmade or natural. The complexity of bringing together local, state, federal and non-governmental organizations into a coherent functioning organization is as daunting as the importance of the mission. The recommendation of this paper incorporates the reality of a shrinking United States military in size and capacity, and with the strong indicators of additional reductions, it is imperative to look at options from a holistic view. When, not if the military is required to respond to a catastrophic incident involving significant amounts of both civilian casualties and property damage it must be prepared to properly respond."
Army War College (U.S.)
Soebbing, Kent
2012-04-12
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Using the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 to Combat Acts of Terrorism
From the thesis abstract: "The United States has concluded that 1977 Geneva Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts legitimizes terrorist acts and should not be ratified. This study reaches the opposite conclusion regarding the Protocol's treatment of terrorist acts and finds, as in the previous law of armed conflict conventions, such acts are illegal under the provisions of Protocol . This study further finds that the law enforcement approach to combatting [sic] terrorism, an approach favored by the United States, is an insufficient vehicle for reaching the goal of universal condemnation of all terrorist acts. Under the circumstances, it seems absurd to forgo a valuable weapon in the fight against terrorism, the law of armed conflict as developed through Protocol , based on a politically biased interpretation of those rules. However, using the law of armed conflict approach alone will not provide the means for combating terrorist acts in all circumstances. The law enforcement approach, tied to the law of armed conflict approach, will provide a legal blanket that covers all situations. Using the two approaches together is the best way to combat terrorist acts and to bring such acts into the realm of customary international law that will one day convert them into crimes of universal condemnation."
Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)
James, Ronnie D.
1989-09-30
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Defense Drawdowns: Analysis with Implications
From the thesis abstract: "During drawdowns, the nation historically reduces defense spending to about $375 billion, in real terms. Currently, the nation is expending $646 billion for defense, including war-related funding on top of the $531 billion base budget. With decreasing operations in Afghanistan, the nation's challenging fiscal and economic situations will also demand significant reductions in the base defense budget. If the nation follows historical patterns during the Global War on Terror (GWOT) drawdown, it may reduce the base defense budget by about 24 percent (i.e., $1.4 trillion) over the next 10 years, more reductions than sequestration requires in the 2011 Budget Control Act. Under such a drawdown scenario, the Department of Defense (DoD) would have to consider a reduction of 500,000 active duty service members, particularly given the increased costs of manpower which have grown 63 percent since the nation implemented the all-volunteer force. Meanwhile, the DoD increased its spending on Defense-Wide activities, National Guard and Reserves, and Special Operations Forces, even during drawdowns, which are consuming larger percentages of funding. Finally, the DoD spends about 22 percent of its budget to equip a smaller force with more expensive equipment."
Army War College (U.S.)
Ulrich, John
2012-03-21
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'Old Army' 1898-1941: A Blueprint for the Future?
From the thesis abstract: "The U.S. Army faces a challenge of maintaining a force able to meet global commitments and in an era of shrinking budgets when no immediate peer competitor justifies a large standing army. Additionally, the focus of military strategy has shifted to the Pacific. This is not a new situation. The Army faced a similar dilemma during the period of 1898 to 1941. During this time the Army had to maintain a continuous presence in the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Panama Canal Zone while simultaneously mobilizing for World War I, deploying expeditions to China, Russia, and Siberia, fighting a border skirmish against Mexican bandits, conducting peace keeping operations in Cuba and maintaining stateside garrisons. In a country traditionally wary of maintaining a large standing Army, and with no direct threat to justify having one, this required the Army of the period to have several characteristics: It had to be relatively small, but able to expand rapidly through the use of reserves; it had to be highly selective, professional and well trained to accomplish much with a small force, as well as provide a skilled cadre for mobilization; finally, it had to rely on native soldiers overseas to expand its capabilities and to augment its forces. These same characteristics and competencies may serve as an effective blueprint for guiding current reform initiatives as the Army transitions to meet contemporary security challenges."
Army War College (U.S.)
Reed, Christopher D.
2012-03-19
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New Paradigm for Defense Rapid Acquisition
From the thesis abstract: "The experience of the U.S. military over the last ten years has shown that adversaries are rapidly adapting new technologies and tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter U.S. battlefield supremacy. This volatile and uncertain environment greatly increases the risk to U.S. military personnel as they fulfill critical mission requirements. The Department of Defense has created over 20 ad hoc offices, each with their own unique practices and procedures, to rapidly fulfill urgent battlefield needs that have arisen due to this established trend. The author proposes that most of the current 20 ad hoc offices be federated together into a single rapid acquisition office, the Office of Rapid and Critical Acquisition (ORCA). ORCA would utilize standardized acquisition practices for rapid fielding initiatives and ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical capability."
Army War College (U.S.)
Vinch, Peter M.
2012-03-12
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Enhancing Security: Projecting Civil Authority Into America's Uncontrolled Spaces
From the thesis abstract: "Actions taken or not taken by law enforcement agencies, in 'Ungoverned Spaces' reduce US ability to forestall hostile actions on US soil. The current organizational limitations of US civil authorities' poses a problem to accomplishing the goals of our National Security Strategy to 'Prevent attacks on the Homeland' and 'Enhancing security at Home.' To that end, this thesis examines areas of the United States that function as 'Ungoverned Spaces' and possible strategies to maximize Interagency and interoperable government control through joint operations between civil authorities and Department of Defense forces. Finally, the author analyzed the gaps in the ability of law enforcement to project civil authority and the historical short falls of civil law enforcement in past events. The recommendations suggest; the creation of a full time paramilitary police force trained, and maintained in sufficient size and strength to police our nations ungoverned spaces, established as a full time National Guard unit. Satisfying the author's recommendations on the use of the National Guard as a paramilitary police force, he examines historical and current legal precedent for the legal deployment of National Guard troops under Title 32 as a law enforcement entity."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Presson, William
2012-06-08
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Measuring the Effectiveness of the CONUS Air and Missile Defense C2 System
From the thesis abstract: "The air and missile threat posed by hostile states and terrorist organizations to the continental United States is a reality. The United States has established organizations and developed capable AMD [Air and Missile Defense] weapon systems to defeat these types of threats. However, an effective C2 system is essential in order to integrate these technologically advanced AMD weapon systems into an efficient fighting force. This thesis quantitatively measured the effectiveness of the CONUS [Contiguous United States or Continental United States] AMD C2 system by analyzing the performance of five objective variables: people/authorities, facilities, communications equipment, unity of command/effort, and levels of control. This analysis successfully produced a numerical effectiveness result, but more importantly it identified five deficiencies in which the CONUS AMD C2 system effectiveness can be improved. The research concluded by shaping three overall recommendations to improve system effectiveness: delegate the doctrinal responsibilities to the RADC/SADC [Regional Air Defense Commander/Sector Air Defense Commander], lower the engagement authority, and establish a redundant common operating picture."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Lape, Neal J.
2012-06-08
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New Wild West: Military Support in Border Security Operations
From the thesis abstract: "Since 2006, more than 30,000 Mexican citizens have died in drug-related violence. With the threat of this violence escalating and spilling across the border into the United States, it is necessary to employ the full range of assets and options available for the U.S. government to defeat or neutralize a growing national security threat to the safety and sovereignty of the United States. The Department of Defense possesses equipment and personnel with critical skills necessary to augment civil authorities' efforts to secure the U.S. border with Mexico. In this thesis, the researcher seeks to answer the questions of what role the Department of Defense should play in securing America's borders and which assets are best suited to Defense Support to Civil Authorities in border security operations."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Power, Paul A.
2012-06-08
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What is the Extent of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Where Does It Derive Its Strength in the Sahelian-Saharan Region: A Case Study of Northern Mali
From the thesis abstract: "What Is The Extent of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Where Does It Derive Its Strength in the Sahelian-Saharan Region: A Case Study of Northern Mali, by MJR Mohamed Al Moustapha Touré, 131 pages. While Algeria was facing internal security issues with illegal Islamist armed groups in the 1990s, some Sahelian-Saharan states were reducing their institutional presence in their border region with Algeria. Mali was demilitarizing its northern region in application of the peace agreement with the Arab-Tuareg rebellion, opening a large corridor to all kinds of smugglings and illegal activities. The Author used the RAND study's variable of ungovernability and conduciveness to analyze AQIM [Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb] in northern Mali. The importance of kinship relationship in Somalia supported the emergence of a new variable called 'Fortified Relationships'. The objective of the study was to use the RAND's variables to do an analysis of AQIM's center of gravity. The conduciveness variables constitute AQIM's center of gravity critical capabilities and 'Fortified Relationships' constitute its critical vulnerabilities. This emergent variable of 'Fortified Relationships' seems to be a critical factor, at least in an African context, and warrants further study."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Toure, Mohamed Al Moustapha
2012-06-08
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Alternative Disaster Feeding Ration
From the thesis abstract: "FEMA and USAID [United States Agency for International Development] could more efficiently provide feeding rations during Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HA/DRs) operations by using high calorie survival bars in lieu of MREs and HDRs while saving time, money, and resources. The Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) primarily use Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs) for foreign and domestic humanitarian disaster response operations. Rations currently used are costly and logistically challenging to manage. MREs possess twice the shelf life and size as HDRs, but also double costs and bring cultural concerns. An alternative solution is the nutritionally balanced, condensed survival ration bars that have a longer shelf life and are inexpensive. There are potential issues with public image or relations with each ration type: MREs are not vegetarian; HDRs are religiously sensitive; and high calorie bars appear minimalistic implying lack of compassion. Each ration should also be assessed against the principles of sustainment as directed in FM 4-0. This thesis will assess logistical implications, both negative and positive, of using the survival ration bars in lieu of MREs and HDRs during disaster relief operations led by USAID and FEMA."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Rollinson, George William
2012-06-08
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Iranian Government's Ambitions Represented in Their Nuclear Weapons Program and Its Impact on Security in the Arab Gulf Region
From the thesis abstract: "In the past decade, it has become apparent that the Iranian Government is not willing to give up its Nuclear Fuel Program. Though it claims that its endeavors are merely the pursuit of making nuclear fuel, the threat of an unsupervised Iranian Nuclear Program brings great worry to the security of other Arab States in the Region. In a larger context, as the Iranian Nuclear Program grows, how does it impact the International Security Environment and what responses will it bring from other key actors (NATO, the EU, and the US)? This thesis will examine various aspects of the Iranian Government's Nuclear Program. It will measure the political and economic impacts of the Iranian Nuclear Program, and the security impacts on other states in the Arab Gulf Region and the global energy. Finally, this thesis will explore possible Iranian nuclear ambitions and the implications of these ambitions on the International Security Environment."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Abukshiem, Feisal
2012-01
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Most Appropriate National Level Organizational Structure and Command and Control System for U.S. Customs and Border Protection
"The establishment of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] on March 1, 2003 created the world's largest law enforcement agency encompassing several large, complex and diverse organizations from three separate Departments of the United States Government. Since its formation, CBP's national level headquarters has lacked an applicable organizational structure and an effective command and control (C2) system with its field offices to effectively and efficiently accomplish its mission of securing our Nation's borders and facilitating legitimate trade and travel. This paper examines CBP's current national level organizational and C2 problems and identifies its appropriate organizational design and C2 system. In order to determine the appropriate design and C2 system, a qualitative study was conducted using a narrative approach assisted by documentation review and content analysis of official United States Army manuals, Joint Publications, and existing reference material and websites pertaining to organizational structure and organizational theory. By reorganizing its national level headquarters using a multidivisional structure and adopting a 'centralized command and de-centralized execution' C2 system, CBP will have greater efficacy and achieve a greater unity of effort among its components."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Pocorobba, Thomas Jr.,
2012-06-08
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Study of the Military Intelligence Support to Domestic Law Enforcement in Counterdrug and Counterterrorism Operations
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of the study will address the legal restrictions placed on Title-10 military intelligence support to civilian authorities within the United States conducting counterdrug and counterterrorism operations. The National Defense Strategy calls for the Department of Defense (DoD) to protect the homeland from terrorist attack and to provide support to the civilian interagency in response to natural or man-made disasters. Annual DoD congressional authorizations allow DoD to support drug interdiction efforts, while DoD Joint doctrine states that drug trafficking and terrorism are closely linked. The main issue is DoD's reluctance to fulfill this directive, due to the self-imposed limitations on military intelligence, so that it cannot provide much support to law enforcement within the United States. This creates a problem for DoD in how to make use of its intelligence capacity to fulfill the homeland defense directive when DoD restricts itself from providing intelligence support. The problem from the law enforcement and interagency perspectives is their lack of internal intelligence capacity to adequately protect the homeland. Military intelligence can solve the law enforcement intelligence shortfall issue. If DoD understands that it is legal for them to do so and updates its regulations accordingly, then DoD will benefit as well. Research for this topic conducted from August of 2008 thru June of 2011."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Authier, André A.
2012-06-08
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Social Media and the Arab Spring: How Facebook, Twitter, and Camera Phones Changed the Egyptian Army's Response to Revolution
From the thesis abstract: "How should militaries think about social media as a factor in military operations? In this study I examine recent Arab Spring scholarship, with a particular focus on the significant impact of social media on events in Egypt in early 2011. Existing literature in this area centers on the ability of various social media platforms to unite and inspire population masses, yet does not address the important effect of social media on military forces responding to the revolution. This gap is exemplified by the general reluctance of military practitioners to engage scholars with actual evidence from real-world events during times of conflict. In response to these challenges, I offer the unique oral history of an Egyptian company commander who led soldiers in Cairo's Tahrir Square throughout several months of intensive security operations during the Arab Spring. Through this descriptive study, I find that the prevalence of social media considerably affected the Egyptian Army's response to the massive popular uprising. To evaluate these findings, I propose a 'social media update' to Gene Sharp's mechanisms of nonviolent change, analyzing the Egyptian Army's counterintuitive approach to the events of 2011 in light of an updated Sharp framework. I conclude that the Egyptian Army's experiences provide a tremendously useful example of how militaries may think about social media as a factor in military operations. Finally, I argue that a written account of the Egyptian Army's response to social media is exactly the type of 'policy-relevant scholarship' military practitioners must be willing to produce in order to inform U.S. policy in a truly meaningful way."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Barnsby, Robert E.
2012-06-08
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United States Army Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Corps Capability for Combating the Contemporary Weapons of Mass Destruction Threat
From the thesis abstract: "The threat of a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) attack against the United States is more significant then ever. The United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) corps is designed to deal with the results of this attack; however the focus of the CBRN corps has shifted from the passive defense (reactive) posture to the active defense (proactive) posture. A key mission in the conduct of active CBRN defense is the WMD elimination mission. This study examines the United States Army CBRN corps doctrine, organization, and material in order to conduct the WMD elimination mission."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Kelly, Matthew F.
2012-06-08
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Ending the Military's Counternarcotics Mission
From the thesis abstract: "Since 1989, DoD has spent billions of dollars combating the illicit drug trade, with little to show for it. There are several possible reasons for the low return on investment of the US military's counternarcotics efforts. One reason for this apparent failure is that the armed forces are not appropriately trained to combat criminals and criminal organizations. Another reason is that focusing on the supply side of the problem by combating the narcotics production and trafficking has proven ineffective over the decades DoD has been engaged in the effort. A third reason for the apparent failure of the military's counternarcotics program is a lack of viable metrics. Finally, a far more controversial reason relates to the nature of the illicit drug problem. If illegal drugs and the narcotics production and trafficking organizations are actually social welfare and law enforcement challenges, rather than threats to national security, the military is arguably the wrong tool to counter them."
Army War College (U.S.)
Wald, Beth S.
2012-04-03
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Study of Applying the Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability to Nuclear Power Plants
From the thesis project proposal: "Each utility licensee for a nuclear power reactor is required to minimize the adverse effects from an accidental radionuclide release into the atmosphere. In the past the ability to forecast quantitatively the extent of the hazard from such a release has been limited. Now powerful atmospheric modeling techniques are available to assist nuclear reactor site officials with greatly improved assessments. [...] The purpose of this project is to examine the ways and means of adapting ARAC [Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability] for application to many nuclear power reactors widely dispersed across the nation. The project will emphasise the management aspects, including government-industry relationships, technology transfer, organizational structure, staffing, implementing procedures and costs. Benefits and costs for several alternative systems will be compared. The following questions will be addressed: 1. Can ARAC technology developed at LLL [Lawrence Livermore Laboratory] be successfully transferred for broad application to the nuclear power industry? 2. Who should operate the ARAC central facility? ?. 3. What organization and staffing is needed for a fully operating central facility? 4. What is required to establish ARAC at a utility site? 5. What are the costs and benefits associated with the several ARAC options to service a large number of nuclear power plants?"
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Orphan, Richard C.
1978-06-05
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'Strategic Corporal,' 2025: Operationalizing Small-Unit Leaders for Theater-Level Operations
From the thesis abstract: "In the future, the Marine Corps will retain its core competencies delineated under Title X, U.S. Code, which provide America with an expeditionary force in readiness. It must remain the force that is 'the most ready when the nation is the least ready.' That being said, the 2006 National Security Strategy and Quadrennial Defense Review emphasize the conduct of activities that foster relationships among U.S. friends and partners, and create conditions inhospitable to terrorism and rogue regimes. Despite the establishment of the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and its Marine Special Operations Advisory Group in 2006, the Marine Corps can and must do more to strengthen its capability to reinforce the U.S. Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) ability to build partner capacity through security cooperation (SC), security assistance (SA), and FID [Foreign Internal Defense] missions. The Corps must develop a comprehensive plan to train, equip, and resource its small-unit leaders' abilities to actively participate in specific SC/SA/FID missions in the future. By selecting qualified company grade and noncommissioned officers, equipping them with advanced technologies, cultural awareness training, adequate operational authority, and real-time subject-matter expertise reach back, the Marine Corps has the ability to significantly enhance the Nation's ability to conduct SC/SA/FID missions."
Marine Corps Command and Staff College (U.S.)
Morris, Jason L.
2008
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Future of Marine Civil Affairs
From the thesis abstract: "The Marine Corps' role in fighting the global war on terrorism involves the extensive conduct of civil military operations (CMO). However, current shortfalls in the Corps' approach to Civil Affairs (CA) force structure and to CMO education, training, and employment impede its ability to use these operations to their greatest effect. The author proposes solutions to these shortfalls which would result in the establishment of a cadre of active duty civil affairs Marines, the implementation of a formal training program for CA personnel, the integration of CMO into the Marine Corps' resident schools and the use of planning procedures that focus on CMO as a line of operation. US military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa involve extensive interaction with the local populations. Reports from the field emphasize the importance of civil military operations in obtaining operational goals. Shortfalls and recommended solutions are discussed under the headings of Structure, Training, Education and Employment."
Marine Corps University (U.S.). School of Advanced Warfighting
Milburn, Andrew R.
2006-04-03
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Partnership for Peace: What's Next for NATO?
From the thesis abstract: "The Partnership for Peace (PFP) is a significant step forward in solving a dilemma that NATO has been struggling with since the end of the Cold War. That dilemma has been whether to expand or not. It appears the Alliance has accepted, in principle, that PFP will lead to NATO expansion. However, it is still unclear exactly how and when the expansion will take place. Even more unclear is who will be accepted as a member, and who will not. The five objectives of PFP are as follows: (1) facilitation of transparency in national defense planning and budgeting processes; (2) ensuring democratic control of defense forces; (3) maintenance of the capability and readiness to contribute, subject to constitutional considerations, to operations under the authority of the United Nations and/or the responsibility of the CSCE [Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe]; (4) the development of cooperative military relations with NATO for the purpose of joint planning, training, and exercises to strengthen their ability to undertake missions in the fields of peacekeeping, search and rescue, humanitarian operations, and others as may be agreed upon; and (5) the development, over the long term, of forces that are better able to operate with those of the members of the North Atlantic Alliance. This essay looks at the future of NATO, now that it has endorsed PFP, and discusses how it must adjust to the changing conditions throughout Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The essay examines how NATO has changed since the Cold War; analyzes the specifics of the PFP Framework Document; reviews the advantages and disadvantages of PFP; provides suggestions on how the Alliance should implement PFP, including clear criteria for PFP members who want to join NATO and timelines for doing so; proposes a blueprint for the United States' role in an orderly and meaningful expansion of NATO; and discusses how extending NATO membership to Eastern Europe could affect the placement of U.S. soldiers in Europe and U.S. military strategy."
National War College (U.S.)
Hayes, Timothy W.
1994
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Performance-Based Logistics
From the thesis abstract: "This paper reviews the Executive Branch's support for the transformation of logistics. It analyzes the guidance of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition Technology and Logistics concerning the implementation of performance-based logistics (PBL). It describes the process for implementing PBL assesses PBL's capability to improve and sustain weapon systems readiness and notes the military services concepts for implementing PBL. It describes relationships pertaining to PBL among military services defense activities industrial bases suppliers and manufacturers. Finally it describes how the Defense Logistics Agency plans to implement PBL and speculates on PBL's impact on the services."
Army War College (U.S.)
Claiborne, Bobby L.
2004-03-19
