1. Distributed Operations Concept
14 June 2005
UNCLASSIFIED

2. Displayed as linear; spiral and iterative in practice
Concepts in Action
Doctrine +
Organization
Training
Materiel
Leader
development
Personnel
Facilities
Integrated
Warfighting
Capability
Concept Experimentation =
Displayed as linear; spiral and iterative in practice

3. Genesis of the Concept Opportunities Threats Experience Terrorism
Insurgency
Quality
Irregular
Warfare
Competence
Threats
Opportunities

4. Distributed Operations
Genesis of the Concept
Distributed
Operations
Opportunities
Threats

5. Distributed Ops Defined
“…an operating approach that will create an advantage over an adversary through the deliberate use of separation and coordinated, interdependent, tactical actions enabled by increased access to functional support, as well as by enhanced combat capabilities at the small-unit level.”
Synopsis of the Central Idea

6. Distributed Ops Characteristics
An extension of maneuver warfare
Spatial advantages
Temporal advantages
Decentralization of decisionmaking—A Hallmark
Drives authority “down” the chain of command
Leverages skill of junior leaders
Additive capability and different approach.... “another arrow in the quiver”
Complementary: employed in conjunction with other operational approaches (e.g., OMFTS, STOM)

7. Historical Precedents
Finnish Army: Winter War
Chindits & XIV Army: WWII Burma
Combined Action Program: Vietnam

8. Integrated in Three Dimensions
Focused on
the Marine
D O T M L P F
Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Battlespace Operating Systems
Maneuver-Fires-C2-Intel-CSS-Force Protection