The August 11, 2013 Defense News (See: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130811/DEFREG02/308110001/DoD-Weighs-Major-COCOM-Realignment
- which is also the photo source) addressed a realignment of the combatant
commands. According to the article consideration is being given to a major
reorganization which would reduce costs by eliminating HQ overhead – perhaps over
5,000 military and civilian slots and the associated real estate and operating
expenses.
The potential realignment reduces the number of COCOMs to four
and eliminates two of the current COCOMS:
1.
An “Americas Command” which would consist of the
current NORTHCOM AND SOUTHCOM.
2.
EUCOM
3.
CENTCOM
4.
PACOM which would not include Afghanistan and Pakistan
While anything contemplated by the Pentagon is like mating
elephants (done slowly at high levels), its worth a moment to consider what the
potential impact of such a realignment would mean on MISO.
Overall, it would appear that this potential reorganization
would simply the chain of command and take into account many of the cultural anomalies
that have plagued the current schema.
Moving Afghanistan and Pakistan under PACOM makes a great
deal of sense and takes into account the intertwined nature of these two
countries.
The combination of NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM could mean a
leveling of resources which would facilitate rotation of more personnel through
SOUTHCOM assignments than would otherwise be possible. In theory this could
also facilitate Spanish and Portuguese language training throughout the command.
Perhaps the greater concern is not so much which 4* is in
charge, but how the MISO force would be composed and what changes can be
expected as a result of the sequester process. Operators need to be focused on cultural
and linguistic skills in addition to MISO professional skills. The AC and the
RC must sort out responsibilities and develop on-going relationships so that
deployments are a continuation of business as usual rather than a surprise
partnering. However, some strategic thought needs to be given on how to manage
the potential realignment with a minimal impact on the force and its ability to
execute the mission.
The nature of trouble spots and potential trouble spots
doesn’t change simply because the Pentagon changes its maps. The Middle East
will continue to roil in its own troubles and the nature of insurgencies in
Africa and elsewhere will continue to grow unabated while Latin America and
Central America present their own challenges. MISO will be there no matter who
is at the top of the Command chain.
3 comments:
Larry,
Will there be any impact upon liaison with ODNI?
J
Larry,
Will this have any impact upon interagency communication such as liaison with ODNI? Or do you think it will be business as usual with less middle management?
>
My best guess is business as usual.
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