Joint Force Structure

Question 1

Who makes up the National Security Council (VASSS)

Answer 1

-VPOTUS
-Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
-Secretary of State
-Secretary of Energy
-Secretary of Defense

*Advises the President on the integration of domestic, foreign and military policies as they relate to the national security.

Question 2

Roles (purpose for which an organization is formed)

Answer 2

are the broad and enduring purposes for which the Services and the CCMDs were established in law (Congress, 1987). In broadest terms is to organize, train, and equip forces.

Question 3

Functions

Answer 3

Specific responsibilities assigned by President & SECDEF

FUNCTIONS OF DOD

As prescribed by higher authority the DoD will maintain and employ Armed Forces to fulfill the following aims:

*Support and defend the Constitution of the United States

Ensure timely and effective military action

Uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the United States.

FUNCTIONS WITHIN DOD

The functions and responsibility assigned to the Secretary of the Military Departments, the Services, the JCS, the Joint Staff, and the combatant commands will be carried out in such a manner as to achieve the following:

Provide the best military advice to the President and the SecDef.

Employment of the Armed Forces

*Prevent of unnecessary duplication or overlapping capabilities among the Services

Effective multinational operational and interagency, IGO, and NGO coordination.

Question 4

Task

Answer 4

Clearly defined action or activity assigned to an individual or organization

Question 5

Missions

Answer 5

Entails the task, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason therefore.
Task assigned by the SecDef and the President or the President to the commanders of combatant commands

Question 6

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Answer 6

Advises on Strategic Direction

-Strategic Planning

-Contingency Planning

-Requirements, Programs and Budget

-Joint Doctrine, Training, and Education

-Transmit communications between NCA and Combatant Commands

-Provide U.S. representation on the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations

Question 7

Where is the USASOC rep assigned in the Department of the Army HQ?

Answer 7

G- 3/5/7 (Operations)

Question 8

Combatant Command

Answer 8

Specified or unified command
Single commander
Established and so designated by the President
Geographic or functional responsibilities
Missions assigned by SecDef and/or President

Question 9

Unified Command

Answer 9

Broad, continuing mission
Significant forces
Two or more Military Departments
Single strategic direction
Also called unified combatant command

Question 10

Specified Command

Answer 10

Broad, continuing mission, normally functional
Established and so designated by the President
Normally composed of forces from a single Military Department
Also called specified combatant command

Question 11

FUNCTIONAL COMMANDS
Strategic Command
Transportation Command
Special Operations Command
Cyber Command

Answer 11

STRATCOM

Deter attacks on U.S. and allies

Control strategic nuclear forces

Global Strike, Missile Defense, Information Operations, and C4ISR

Should deterrence fail, employ forces to achieve national objectives

TRANSCOM

Provide air, land, and sea transportation for the Department of Defense in times of peace and war.

SOCOM

unique among the combatant commands in that it performs certain Service-like functions (Title 10, USC, Chapter 6), including the following:

Organize, train, equip, and provide combat-ready special operations forces (SOF)

When directed by the President or SecDef, conduct selected SO

CYBER COMMAND

Unifies direction of cyberspace operations

Strengthens DOD cyber capabilities

Integrates and bolsters DOD cyber expertise

Question 12

Unified Command Plan

Answer 12

The document that gives basic guidance to all combatant commanders

Establishes combatant command missions, responsibilities, and force structure

Delineates geographic areas of responsibility for GCCs

Specifies functional responsibilities for functional combatant commanders

Flexible; CJCS review every two years, recommend changes to President thru SECDEF

Question 13

Subordinate Unified Commands

Answer 13

Authorized by SecDef through the CJCS or commanders of unified CCMDs may establish subordinate unified commands

Executes operations on a continuing basis in accordance with the criteria set forth for unified CCMDs.

Examples
- Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
- Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC)
- U.S. Forces Korea

Question 14

Service Component Commands

Answer 14

A Service component command, assigned to a CCDR, consists of the Service component commander and the Service forces (such as individuals, units, detachments, and organizations, including the support forces) that have been assigned to that CCDR.

Make recommendations to the JFC on the proper employment, task organization, and command relationship of the forces of the Service component.

Accomplish such operational missions as may be assigned.

Examples: ARCENT, U.S. Army South, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Question 15

Aligned Strategies

Answer 15

NSS (POTUS):
-Interests, Goals, Priorities
-Integrating Instruments of National Power
-National Security Objectives

NDS (SECDEF):
-Strategic Objectives
-How we Will accomplish objectives
-Implementation Guidelines
-Strategic Risk Management

NMS (CJCS)
-Military Objectives
-Desired attributes, functions and capabilities
-Joint vision for future warfighting

Question 16

Levels of Warfare

Answer 16

Strategic (National Policy, Theater Strategy)

Operational (Campaigns, Major operations)

Tactical (Battles, engagements, small unit and crew actions)

Question 17

Campaigns

Answer 17

is a series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time and space. Exceeds the scope of major operations
Global, Theater, and Subordinate

Question 18

Operations

Answer 18

is a sequence of tactical actions with a common purpose or unifying theme.

major operation is a series of tactical actions, such as battles, engagements, and strikes, conducted by combat forces coordinated in time and place, to achieve strategic or operational objectives in an operational area.

Does not have to be combat related

Question 19

Joint Task Force

Answer 19

A JTF is a joint force that is constituted and so designated by:
-SecDef,
-CCDR
-Subordinate unified commander
-Existing JTF commander

Geographic or Functional basis

A JFC has the authority to organize forces to best accomplish the assigned mission based on the concept of operations.

The JFC will establish subordinate commands, assign responsibilities, establish or delegate appropriate command and support relationships, and establish coordinating instructions for the component commanders.

***DISSOLVED WHEN PURPOSE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OR IT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED

Question 20

Establishing Joint Command

Answer 20

Unified / Combatant Commands
-Established by POTUS through SecDef

Subordinate Unified Commands
-Established by commanders of unified commands when authorized by SecDef

Joint Task Forces
Established by:
-SecDef
-Combatant Commander
-Commander, Subordinate Unified Command
-Commander, existing Joint Task Force

Question 21

Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF)

Answer 21

Principal joint SOF organization
Modular, Tailorable, and Scalable Command
Used for Major Ops, Campaigns, and Contingencies
Used when SOF requirements exceed the TSOC capacity (GCCs request from USSOCOM)

Question 22

Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) (O-6 Command)

Answer 22

A joint task force comprised of Special Operations units from more than one service, formed to carry out a specific operation or prosecute Special Operations in support of a theater campaign or other operations.

Tailored to perform a specific mission
Temporary organization
More than one Service

Question 23

SOCCE

Answer 23

The special operations command and control element (SOCCE) is the FOCAL POINT for SOF/CF coordination, and the synchronization of special operations activities with other joint operations.

The SOCCE is normally employed when SOF conducts operations in support of a CF.

***It performs command and control (C2) or liaison functions

The SOCCE is a command and control element generally based on a U.S. Army Special Forces Company headquarters (SFOD-B)

Question 24

SOC-FWD

Answer 24

These nodes link the TSOCs to forward deployed tactical SOF units with a permanent presence that execute distributed special operations.

Provide a SOF voice and influence to JTF and Chiefs of Mission activities.

The GCC normally exercises OPCON of attached SOF through the CDRTSOC.

Tailored, operational-level HQ that provides a persistent presence, and C2 capability. O4-O6 Level Command

If conditions warrant more robust SOF presence and engagement, a SOC-FWD can transition to a JSOTF.

Question 25

SOLE

Answer 25

Special Operations Liaison Element

A SOLE is provided to coordinate, de-conflict, and integrate special operations air, surface, and subsurface operations with conventional air operations.

Provides a SOF presence in the joint air operations center that is aware of the activities of SOF units in the field and by providing visibility of SOF operations in the air tasking
order

Led by a senior SOF airman known as the SOLE Director, who:
- works directly for the JFSOCC.
- is not in the SOF chain of command (no command authority)

Question 26

SOLO

Answer 26

Special Operations Liaison Officers

SOLOs are in-country SOF advisors to the U.S. country team.

The SOLO is the CDRUSSOCOM’s direct representative and the primary SOF advisor to the SDO/DATT, country team, and to HN SOF leadership.

They advise and assist partner nation SOF in the development of partner nation SOF activities and synchronize activities between the HN and the United States.

Question 27

SOFLE

Answer 27

Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) is a task organized rotational SOF element deployed within a specific nation or embedded within CF to conduct liaison activities.

The SOFLE can coordinate, assess, and recommend training, equipping, and engaging opportunities with HN forces or provide connectivity and synchronization of expeditionary forces.

TSOCs may establish a SOFLE on a temporary basis in a country that does not have a SOLO or SOF representative assigned. SOFLEs are placed in those areas that directly support security cooperation goals and objectives.

Attached to the US Embassy, partnered nation force, or CF and coordinate with HN forces.

A SOFLE may function as a team or an individual and may engage in SOF activities.

Question 28

SOSTs

Answer 28

Special operations support teams (SOSTs) are cornerstones of the USSOCOM National Capitol Region (NCR) elements. They are:

-USSOCOM representatives embedded with the NCR HQ of
interagency partners to foster interagency coordination and collaboration.

-liaisons from CDRUSSOCOM to the other USG department or agency partner.

-a major element in the global SOF network that enables interagency coordination overseas.

Question 29

Joint Functions

Answer 29

Related capabilities and activities placed into seven groups to help commanders synchronize, integrate and direct operations

Command and Control
Information
Intelligence
Fires
Movement and maneuver
Sustainment
Protection