Information Operation's Planners: Training and Education without a Plan

Combatant Commanders need a mix of Information Operations IO planners and capability specialists under their command to maintain the ability to dominate the full range of military operations. The difference between the two types of IO professionals should be based on their experience level. IO Planners must know extremely in-depth knowledge of the adversary, their psyche, network of connections, strengths, weaknesses, and ways of influencing each. Arguably, they are not alone in the planning cell and are supported by personnel from every office code within the command with additional possible support from inter-agency, coalition, and non-governmental organization representatives. The planners are expected to be able to articulate their intent, direction, restrictions, measures of effectiveness, and timeliness for the planning and employment of IO capabilities and related activities within their area of responsibility. To provide that understanding of the adversary, granularity and innovation in their plan, and ability to integrate their plan into the overall theater strategy or operation, their education and training levels need to meet a joint IO standard which has not been set by the Combatant Commanders. Professional Military Education must serve as a change agent for the military grappling with the information age. The educated force the U.S. military develops and invests in today will significantly increase its chances of maintaining the information edge in the future.