JointPub6-0DoctrineforCommand,Control,Communications,andComputer(C4)SystemsSupporttoJointOperations30May1995JOHNM.SHALIKASHVILIChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffThispublicationisthekeystonedocumentforC4systemssupporttojointoperationsandprovidesguidelinestoourcommandersregardingautomatedinformationsystemsandnetworks.Avastarrayofinformation,underpinnedbyjointdoctrine,isutilizedtoemploycombatpoweracrossthebroadrangeofmilitaryoperations.Command,control,communications,andcomputer(C4)networksandsystemsprovidethemeanstosynchronizejointforces.Improvedinteroperability,greaterreliability,andenhancedsecurity—achievedthroughrapidadvancesininformationtechnology—areessentialforeffectivecommandandcontrolasweenterthe21stCentury.Automatedinformationsystemsandnetworksprovidethepredominantsourcefromwhichthewarfightergenerates,receives,shares,andutilizesinformation.ThesynthesisofadvancedC4capabilitiesandsounddoctrineleadstobattlespaceknowledgeessentialtosuccessinconflict.PREFACEi1.ScopeThispublicationisthekeystonedocumentforthecommand,control,communications,andcomputer(C4)systemsseriesofpublications.SubordinatepublicationsprovidemoredetailedtechnicaldiscussionsofC4systems.ThispublicationidentifiesapproveddoctrineforC4systemssupporttojointoperationsandoutlinestheresponsibilitiesofServices,agencies,andcombatantcommandswithrespecttoensuringeffectiveC4supporttocommanders.ItaddresseshowC4systemssupportthecommandersofjointforcesintheconductofjointoperations,including,ingeneralterms,howsystemsaretobeconfigured,deployed,andemployed.2.PurposeThispublicationsetsforthdoctrinetogovernthejointactivitiesandperformanceoftheArmedForcesoftheUnitedStatesinjointoperationsaswellasthedoctrinalbasisforUSmilitaryinvolvementinmultinationalandinteragencyoperations.Itprovidesmilitaryguidancefortheexerciseofauthoritybycombatantcommandersandotherjointforcecommandersandprescribesdoctrineforjointoperationsandtraining.ItprovidesmilitaryguidanceforusebytheArmedForcesinpreparingtheirappropriateplans.Itisnottheintentofthispublicationtorestricttheauthorityofthejointforcecommander(JFC)fromorganizingtheforceandexecutingthemissioninamannertheJFCdeemsmostappropriatetoensureunityofeffortintheaccomplishmentoftheoverallmission.3.Applicationa.Doctrineandguidanceestablishedinthispublicationapplytothecommandersofcombatantcommands,subunifiedcommands,jointtaskforces,andsubordinatecomponentsofthesecommands.TheseprinciplesandguidancealsomayapplywhensignificantforcesofoneServiceareattachedtoforcesofanotherServiceorwhensignificantforcesofoneServicesupportforcesofanotherService.b.Theguidanceinthispublicationisauthoritative;assuch,thisdoctrinewillbefollowedexceptwhen,inthejudgmentofthecommander,exceptionalcircumstancesdictateotherwise.IfconflictsarisebetweenthecontentsofthispublicationandthecontentsofServicepublications,thispublicationwilltakeprecedencefortheactivitiesofjointforcesunlesstheChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff,normallyincoordinationwiththeothermembersoftheJointChiefsofStaff,hasprovidedmorecurrentandspecificguidance.Commandersofforcesoperatingaspartofamultinational(allianceorcoalition)militarycommandshouldfollowmultinationaldoctrineandguidanceratifiedbytheUnitedStates.FordoctrineandproceduresnotratifiedbytheUnitedStates,commandersshouldevaluateandfollowthemultinationalcommand’sdoctrineandprocedures,whereapplicable.iiPrefaceJointPub6-0IntentionallyBlankTABLEOFCONTENTSiiiPAGEEXECUTIVESUMMARY.........................................................................................viiCHAPTERIINTRODUCTION•Background..............................................................................................................I-1•BasicDoctrineforC4Systems................................................................................I-7CHAPTERIIC4SYSTEMSPRINCIPLES•General...................................................................................................................II-1•C4Principles..........................................................................................................II-4•C4PrinciplesforJointandMultinationalOperations..........................................II-9•C4ArchitecturesandInterfaces..........................................................................II-10•DecisionSupportSystems...................................................................................II-14CHAPTERIIIC4SYSTEMSDOCTRINEFOREMPLOYMENT,CONFIGURATION,PLANS,ANDRESOURCES•Employment..........................................................................................................III-1•AssistanceandCoordination................................................................................III-4•C4SystemsConfiguration....................................................................................III-5•C4SystemsPlans..................................................................................................III-6•C4SystemsResources..........................................................................................III-9CHAPTERIVC4SYSTEMSEMPLOYMENTR