The Role of Multinational Joint Doctrine

The purpose of joint doctrine is to enhance the operational effectiveness of U.S. forces. It represents what is taught, believed, and advocated as what is right that is, what works best. It also provides the national position for multinational doctrine and serves as a basis for multinational or interagency coordination during joint operations. Whenever U.S. forces operate as part of a multinational force, they follow multinational joint doctrine and procedures to the extent that the guidance is consistent with U.S. law and policy. Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, defines multinational doctrine as Fundamental principles that guide the employment of forces of two or more nations in coordinated action toward a common objective. Multinational doctrine enhances the interoperability of coalition forces and provides fundamental considerations used to determine command relationships and the assignment of missions, objectives, and tasks. In all cases, multinational doctrine must be well known, universally accepted, and commonly understood to be useful.