Informing the Information Joint Function: Synergized Lexicon and Integration for Joint Force Operations

Joint Force Commanders (JFCs) and planners require integrated information capabilities for the competition continuum. Four years since the introduction the information joint function, the lack of common definitions and shared lexicon, combined with disparate joint and service approaches, hinder JFC and operational artists ability to effectively leverage information in operations. When new terms and paradigms are introduced they convey different meaning to different joint force audiences. The failure to provide clear descriptions and associations that rectify doctrinal, lexical, and conceptual dissonance adds to operational complexity instead of resolving it. This research investigates how joint and service information approaches and definitions support integrating information capability across joint functions and into campaigning. Assessing information concepts, capabilities, and definitions instills greater understanding as associated joint doctrine and concepts are matured and employed. A literature review evaluated the 2018 initial framing for the information joint function and its purposes to support the JFCs understanding, ability to affect behavior, and make decisions. The review identified where recent efforts apply different terminology and compared the joint functions purposes against joint and service efforts to advance information. In addition to improving understanding of the information joint function, the research proposes four recommendations: rectify delayed doctrinal updates; improve the information joint function purposes; add relational clarity with other joint functions; and establish common definitions and relationships across operations in the information environment (OIE), information operations, information warfare, and information-related capabilities.