Course - 2008 - Block Three

Block Three: Higher Command and the Conduct of Combined and Joint Operations

Aim

Block Three prepares course members for employment in the high command environment and exposes them to the application of the campaign planning process at the strategic and operational levels.

Description

In the first week, course members focus on the use of force in the national strategic context.  They examine the elements of national power and the nature of modern wars and campaigns.  Course members also review theories of warfare and discuss the national approaches to command and the use of force.  In Week Two, course members consider the military strategic level and analyse the translation of strategic policy into military strategy.  They also consider the management of risk, friction and ambiguity at the strategic and operational levels.  Week Two concludes with an examination of Defence’s role as an element the national security architecture.  In Week Three, course members review the campaign planning process, the concepts of Network Centric Warfare and Effects Based Operations, including relevant strategic and operational level doctrine.  Week Four is a series of seminars on command and leadership experiences in various theatres in the last ten years from both Australian and US senior commanders.  Particular emphasis is placed on coalition building and multilateral forces.  Course members also have the opportunity to discuss the relationship between the military and the United Nations and non-Government organisations with representatives from those institutions.  In Week Five, course members examine contemporary planning processes through case study analysis.  Weeks Six and Seven look at the capabilities and limitations of the environmental components as well as the planning considerations for intelligence, force protection, logistics and information operations.  The Block concludes with a six day campaign planning exercise.

It should be noted that this Block is responsive to the contemporary strategic environment and is under ongoing development to meet identified operational requirements.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the use of force in the national strategic context.
• Understand the nature of modern warfare.
• Examine the translation of strategic policy into military strategy.
• Analyse risk, friction and ambiguity at the strategic and operational levels.
• Understand Defence’s role in the national security architecture.
• Understand the strategic implications of campaign planning.
• Analyse higher command.
• Consider the factors associated with successful coalition operations.
• Understand the capabilities and limitations of component operations.
• Understand the planning factors for specialist and support operations.
• Understand the Australian campaign planning process.
• Plan and conduct a major joint/combined campaign in an exercise setting.

Course Member Deliverable

Course members participate in a practical campaign exercise conducted in Week Eight. This involves both individual and small group activities resulting in both verbal and written presentations.