Chapter IV New Developments in Operational Theories
In 2015, developments of US operational theories mainly include the release of the updated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction （CJCSI）, Joint Doctrine Development System, the improvement of the military’s joint doctrinal system, the publication of new operational doctrines and the introduction of new operational concepts. All these developments point to the growing trend on the part of the US military to innovate its joint culture and perfect its joint operational theories, pushing forward the further development of joint operations.
A. Release of CJCSI 5120.02D, Joint Doctrine Development System
On January 5, 2015, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff released the CJCSI 5120.02D, Joint Doctrine Development System, superseding the 2012 CJCSI 5120.02C, Joint Doctrine Development System. The instruction includes four sections elaborating on principles, responsibilities, references and glossary respectively. The section on general principles mainly discusses the basis, nature, role and influence of joint doctrines. The section on responsibilities mainly discusses the responsibilities of the CJCS, the combatant commands （CCMDs）, the Services, the Joint Staff J-7, and some other relevant authorities, in the development of joint doctrines. The section on references lists the relevant documents on the basis of which the joint doctrines are developed. And finally, the section on glossary lists the abbreviations and acronyms, and makes definitions for items that are marked with an asterisk. Signed and distributed by the Director, Joint Staff in the name of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the instruction provides fundamental principles and guidance for the development of joint doctrines.
B. Improvement of the Joint Doctrine System
Joint doctrines are the authoritative documents that guide the organization and execution of the US forces’ joint operations and training. In November 1991, the US military published the first JP1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States. Since then, the US military has
continually revised and updated the joint doctrine system in accordance with the actual situations of joint operations and training, forming ultimately the Joint Publications hierarchy that provides a framework for the serial structure of joint doctrines. Consisting of three levels of publications, the hierarchy includes 1 Capstone publication, 6 Keystone publications and 74 doctrine publications.
Also, the hierarchy can be divided into six series of publications, which include：Joint Personnel （4 in number）, Joint Intelligence （5 in number）, Joint Operations （55 in number）, Joint Logistics （12 in number）, Joint Operational Planning （1 in number） and Joint Communications System （2 in
number）.
The number of joint publications have grown from just 1 in 1991 to 114 in 2001, and then decreased to 81 in January 2016. Of the 81joint doctrine publications, 78 of them have been approved for release （28 in revision）, 3 of them are under development （respectively, they are JP3-20, Security Cooperation, JP3-25 Countering Threat Networks, and JP3-42, Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal）. Two of the publications are classified （JP2-01.2 CI and HUMINT Support and JP3-12 Cyberspace Operations）, and three of them are publications with classified appendices （JP3-13.4 Military Deception, JP3-14 Space Operations, and JP3-50 Personnel Recovery）, and 18 of them can only be accessed with a government common access card （CAC）. In the past, all operational doctrine publications of the US military except the classified ones are public publications that can be accessed by all. Now, however, many additional doctrinal publications are also becoming restricted, which renders them off the limits to the public and reflects the fact that the US military is exerting stricter control over its operational doctrines than in the past. The joint doctrine system of the US military has been undergoing development and changes all the time, and will continue to be modified and perfected in the future so as to provide effective guidance for the execution of joint military operations.
C. Release of Updated Joint Doctrines
In 2015, the JCS released three new joint doctrines：JP 6-0, Joint Communications System, JP 3-61, Public Affairs, and JP 3-68, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, in an effort to update the existing operational techniques and theories.
a. Release of the Updated Doctrine of Joint Communications System
On 10 June 2015, CJCS, General Martin E. Dempsey issued JP6-0, Joint Communications System, which superseded the 2010 version of Joint Communications System. The new doctrine consists of 5 chapters （Joint Communications System Overview, The Information Environment, Joint Force Communication, System Operations, and Management Planning, Information Sharing and Services, Communications System Support to the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Intelligence Community）, an executive Summary, four appendices and a glossary. Compared with the previous version, the updated doctrine mainly makes the following revisions：first, it modifies some related terminologies, replacing “Global Information Grid” with “Department of Defense information network”, and replacing “information assurance” with “cyber security”; Second, it updates organizational relationships and describes command and support relationships for Department of Defense information network operations; third, it discusses the joint information environment; fourth, it updates communications planning considerations for operations with mission partners; fifth, it discusses information sharing and services; sixth, it updates information on National Security and emergency preparedness communications; and seventh, it corrects and updates factual errors due to procedural and organizational changes.
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