SUBJECT: Joint and Army Doctrine Overview

1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this brief is to provide a concise overview of Joint and Army doctrine.
2. MAIN POINTS. Doctrine applies across the range of operations and the spectrum of conflict.
Doctrine provides a common language that professionals use to communicate with one another. Terms
with commonly understood definitions are a major component of that language. Symbols are its graphical
representation. Establishing and using words and symbols of common military meaning enhances
communication among military professionals, in all environments, and makes a common understanding
of doctrine possible. (CADD Briefing dated 10 September 2008)
3. BACKGROUND. Doctrine is “fundamental principles by which the military forces or elements
thereof guide their actions in support of national objectives. It is authoritative but requires judgment in
application.” (JP 1-02, p.178). Joint and Army doctrine have historically provided a foundation for
military operations and helped to increase efficiency. Doctrine provides ways to think rather than telling
proponents what to think as it applies to training and operations. Army doctrine, for example, explains
how Army forces operate independently and as a member of the joint force with the current force
structure and available resources and equipment. Inherent to Joint and Army doctrine is the understanding
that although it is an authoritarian framework for the conduct of military operations, it still allows
freedom to adapt to the complexities of the contemporary operational environment (COE).
4. DISCUSSION. The modification of doctrine is a dynamic process that involves capturing and
retaining lessons from previous experiences while incorporating current capabilities as well as unique
aspects of the current operational environment. Joint and Army doctrine is constantly under revision to
incorporate new intellectual and technological developments and is organized into “capstone” and
“keystone” publications. The Joint and Army doctrine contained in Joint Publications (JPs) and Field
Manuals (FMs) consists of principles, terms, and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). Doctrine
revision considers emerging concepts; lessons learned and best practices to refine the product.
Army doctrine is a two-tiered system. The first encompasses capstone and keystone doctrinal
publications. Capstone Joint doctrine links directly to Army capstone doctrine and incorporates the
National Security Strategy and the National military Strategy. Nested within the constraints of Joint
capstone doctrine, Army capstone doctrine provides the broad fundamentals and principles with which we
frame keystone doctrine. JP 1-0 and 3-0 as well as FM 1-0 and FM 3-0 are examples of capstone
documents. Keystone FMs at the Army level are the doctrinal foundation for a subsequent series of FMS
or directly address the conduct of full spectrum operations. FM 4-0, FM 3-07 and FM 5-0 are all
examples of keystone doctrinal publications nested with the broader concepts of Army capstone doctrine.
Keystone FMs contain broadly applicable information and focus on coordinating the capabilities of Army
forces, to accomplish missions. Tier 2 FMs are all FMs not designated as Tier 1. Tier 2 FMs are more
focused than Tier 1 FMs, and address subjects in varying levels of detail, depending on the subject, type
of force, and echelon.
5. RECOMMENDATION. Field Grade Officers in the Armed Forces must possess a clear
understanding of their individual service and Joint doctrine in order to ensure the Armed Forces operate
as designed. It is imperative that officers understand what exactly doctrine is, how it is designed and the
procedures required to integrate emerging concepts and technological capabilities into revisions that
further increase force capabilities.
6. REFERENCES. Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate PowerPoint Briefing Dated 10 September
2008 and JP 1-02, Dated 12 April 2001 (As amended through 17 March 2009).

Prepared By: MAJ Andrew J. Watson, USA

AMSP Seminar VII