Information Superiority

<p>This thesis examines the initial effort to formulate principles for information- based operations. Although it is impossible to explore each aspect of this transformation it is worthwhile to examine current efforts by the US military to develop a doctrinal foundation for Information Operations (IO). It explores the ongoing struggle to capture within the confines of Joint military doctrine those critical features of this new age driven by information. The world community is increasingly dependent on reliable information traffic. Information has become a commodity and source of power unto itself. Alvin Toffler describes this period as the transformation of societies from 'second-wave' (industrial/mechanical) to 'third-wave' (information-based) means. The growing dependence of the US military on these infrastructures reveals potentially vulnerable elements of the National Information Infrastructure (NII). This monograph examines the need for a comprehensive IO doctrine. It yields a critical analysis of existing doctrine illuminates several flaws within the current construct and concludes with a suggested model for IO development. Doctrinal models are developed for the Army Air Force and Navy respectively. These models explain those aspects which most essentially describe the 'doctrinal culture'; of each service component. These factors include: service organization; employment of forces (both in peace and during crisis); and methods of control. In turn each component model is compared to the revised IO model. Current IO doctrine provides little in the way of enduring principles and mistakenly incorporates a narrow range of offensive options. IO principles should follow the 'cultural perspective'; found within present naval doctrine (a service whose doctrinal development is also at its genesis). A reformulation of the basic IO tenets is necessary to produce doctrine which is adaptive useful and appropriate both in peace and in war.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>