The Joint Task Force for All Occasions, Military Operations Other Than War to War Fighting,

The role of the U.S. military has expanded significantly under the National Security Strategy, Engagement and Enlargement. Most of its new missions come under the heading Military Operations Other Than War MOOTW, and the variety of tasks and diverse cast of organizations with whom the military must operate has strained its ability to execute smartly in recent conflicts. MOOTW are difficult and complex. The most critical challenge facing the Joint Task Force JTF commander, however, is conducting MOOTW while still being able to deter or, if necessary, fight and win wars. Training for war fighting continues to be a major part of maintaining this readiness, but if the military is to be prepared to conduct operations across the spectrum of conflict, as I believe it must, todays leaders need to develop new doctrine and a new way of organizing the JTF as well. The JTF organization of today and tomorrow must be prepared to cooperate with and support humanitarian relief organizations and other agencies to accomplish many different types of peace keeping missions. At the same time it has to plan for and organize itself to make an orderly and rapid transition to war fighting. The Civil-Military Operations Center is a concept which holds promise for enabling the JTF to balance MOOTW with possible war fighting missions. It was used with some success in Operation PROVIDE HOPE, and with further refinement in JTF exercises it should greatly improve the militarys ability to operate comfortably with civilian groups in lesser intensity scenarios without hindering the potential transition to combat. Properly integrated, the CMOC can bo the tool that helps todays operational commander keep peace and win wars.