b. Release of the Updated Doctrine of Public Affairs
On 17 November 2015, Director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. William C. Mayville, Jr., on behalf of the CJCS, issued the updated JP3-61, Public Affairs, which superseded the previous version dated 25 August 2010. The updated doctrine consists of 5 chapters （Overview, Responsibilities and Relationships, Public Affairs in Joint Operations, Joint Public Affairs in the Homeland, Visual Information）, an executive summary, 9 appendices and a glossary. Compared with the previous version, the updated doctrine mainly makes the following revisions：first, it incorporates guidelines and distribution of imagery and operations security throughout the publication; second, it rewrites Chapter 1, “Overview,” and Chapter 3, “Public Affairs in Joint Operations”; third, it adds new role as primary coordinator for communication integration and alignment to public affairs; fourth, it defines public affairs functions in joint operations; fifth, it defines audiences, stakeholders, and publics; sixth, it adds new definition for commander’s communication synchronization and deletes outdated terminology; seventh, it defines on-the-record, background, deep background, and off-the-record interviews; eighth, it adds new appendices on social media and sources for joint PA training; ninth, it updates appendices on guidelines for release of information, defense media activity, and Joint Public Affairs Support Element.
c. Release of the Updated Doctrine of Noncombatant Evacuation Operations
On 18 November 2015, Director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. William C. Mayville, Jr., on behalf of the CJCS, issued the updated JP3-68, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, which superseded the previous version dated 23 December 2010. The updated doctrine consists of 7 chapters （Overview; Roles, Coordination, and Interaction; Command and Control; Planning;
Employment and Evacuation Operation Procedures; Evacuee Processing; and Safe Haven and Repatriation Operations）, an executive summary, 9 appendices and a glossary. Compared with the previous version, the updated doctrine mainly makes the following revisions：first, it modifies definition of “noncombatant evacuation operation （NEO）”; second, it clarifies that diplomatic or other considerations may require use of terms other than “NEO” to describe evacuations; third, it eliminates the Army as Department of Defense Executive Agent for repatriation and identifies Commanders US Northern and US Pacific Commands offices of primary responsibility for repatriation; fourth, it modifies “regional liaison groups” to “liaison groups,” which may be established by the geographic combatant commander and local Department of State representatives to coordinate and synchronize emergency and evacuation planning; fifth, it removes references to Joint Plan for Department of Defense Noncombatant Repatriation; sixth, it adds a planning chapter, which incorporates former Chapter IV, Appendix C, and sections on multinational planning; seventh, it provides planning considerations; eighth, it adds an appendix on joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment; ninth, it expands discussion on the NEO tracking system, to include planning factors, training, and allocation of assets; tenth, it provides a new chapter which focuses on safe haven and repatriation, and emphasizes importance of early interagency coordination. Eleventh, it modifies figures and definitions to better reflect current procedures; twelfth, it expands the discussion on US embassy information sharing to include forms of communications, US Government websites, social media etc.; thirteenth, it expands discussions on biometrics and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents.
In addition, the USA, USN, USAF and USMC have all modified and perfected their service doctrines to some extent. Those updated joint and service doctrines not only provide more robust guidance for military operations, but also put forward new requirements for joint and service training, which would be conducive to enhancing the operational capabilities of the US military.
D. Introduction of New Operational Concepts
In 2015, the US military successively brought forward new operational concepts such as Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commons, Joint Concept for Rapid Aggregation, and Air Force Future Operating Concept, pushing forward the innovative development of operational theories.
a. Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commons （JAM-GC）
On 8 January 2015, Director of Joint Staff Lt. Gen. David L. Goldfein signed a memorandum named Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commons and announced that the JAM-GC would replace the previous Air-Sea Battle concept. As sponsoring organizations, the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps will organize and lead the concept’s development, evaluation and implementation. The Joint Staff J-7 directorate is directed to monitor and support development of the JAM-GC as required. This will include sponsoring and coordinating an independent red team review of the proposed concept and ensuring integration across other concepts under development. Currently, JAM-GC mainly includes the following aspects：first, the concept stresses that freedom of action in the global commons is a precursor to other operations, including flexible deterrent options, power projection and entry operations; second, building on existing Joint Operational Access Concept （JOAC） precepts, the concept will incorporate the ideas of cross-domain operations, transnational operations and inter-agency operations of the Air-Sea Battle Concept; third, the concept requires the US military to accomplish operational objectives while preventing adversaries from disrupting friendly operations; fourth, the concept holds that evolutionary modifications to command-and-control structures and protocols are necessary in order to ensure effective command and control of the Joint Forces when communications between units are denied or are in degraded environment; fifth, the concept advocates for an innovative approach to land and sea basing, as well as a modified approach to logistics and sustainment so as to bolster the capabilities to sustain joint operations; sixth, the concepts features an expanded role for land and amphibious forces, assigning to them missions such as raids, demonstrations, shows of force, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and other types of relatively small-scale, short-time operations; seventh, the concept will include an increased focus on integration and interoperability with allies.
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