Information Operations: A Look at Emerging Army Doctrine and its Operational Implications.

This monograph discusses how the Information Revolution is leading the Revolution in Military Affairs. Specifically, it examines the operational implications of the changing information environment, the armys doctrinal response Information Operations, and the utility of Information Operations. The monograph examines the information environment and concludes that it gives nations and military forces unprecedented capabilities to acquire, manipulate, process and disseminate information. This implies that military forces will become much more efficient in maneuver, fires, and protection of forces. It also implies that information can be used as a separate element of combat power to attack directly the enemys will to fight, to bolster US and coalition support for military operations, or to attack an enemys information system to prevent him from doing the same. Because of this environment, information operations is emerging as a new area of warfare, and information is commonly considered as a fifth element of combat power. The monograph then examines the armys doctrine for Information Operations 10. It finds that the army primarily treats 10 as a force multiplier which enables ground forces to maneuver, fire, and protect the force more efficiently, rather than implementing 10 as an element of combat power. The army doctrine does not detail the capabilities of the present force structure to support 10, and suggests creating no new force or task organization. The doctrine recommends an assistant staff officer in the operations staff section to synchronize 10, without detailing the responsibilities inherent. The doctrine credibly treats 10 as a supporting function which enables the force to develop the capability to execute simultaneous attack in depth.