Interdependence, Interoperability, and Integration: Joint Force Analysis at the Operational Level

Since the passage of the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986, the U.S. armed forces have faced daunting challenges to operate effectively in dynamic, ever-changing, and complex security environments and to maintain lethality. Fiscally challenging times in addition to increasing diversity throughout the globe show that interdependence, interoperability, and integration are vital to success on the battlefield, no matter what its form. To view the shape of the future joint task force or U.S. armed force for that matter through todays lens will inevitably result in paradigm paralysis. Recent history has shown that a U.S. armed force that is completely reliant on interdependent, interoperable, and integrative mechanisms will quickly off balance and paralyze its enemies, and accomplish the missions tasked by the nation military or non-military. Are we ready to fully commit to this and avoid paradigm paralysis