Coordination Conundrum

The Pentagon recently released an updated document on its doctrine for working with non-Defense Department organizations, whether they be U.S. government branches or foreign.

Joint Publication 3-08 "sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations." Among the updates to the previous document, which came out in 2006:

* Changes the publication title from Interagency, Intergovernmental Organization, and Nongovernmental Organization Coordination During Joint Operations to Interorganizational Coordination During Joint Operations

* Reorganizes the publication from two volumes into a single volume

* Revises the discussion on organizing for successful interagency, intergovernmental organization, and nongovernmental organization coordination

* Updates the discussion on the National Security Council, Homeland Security Council, and National Security Staff

* Updates the discussion for federal interagency coordination during homeland defense and civil support

* Updates descriptions of federal agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations

* Adds a discussion on a whole-of-government approach

* Adds a discussion on strategic communication

* Adds a discussion of the private sector

* Adds coverage on forming a joint interagency task force

* Adds appendices: "Joint Interagency Coordination Group," "Joint Interagency Task Force," "Provincial Reconstruction Team," "The Interagency Management System for Reconstruction and Stabilization," "The Interagency Conflict Assessment Framework," "Example Guidelines for Relations Between the Armed Forces of the United States and Other Organizations," "United States Agency for International Development Civilian-Military Cooperation Policy," and "Joint Force Headquarters-State"

* Modifies the definitions of the terms "disaster assistance response team," "interagency," and "joint interagency coordination group"

* Adds definitions for the terms "development assistance" and "interorganizational coordination"

* Removes the terms "chancery," "civil affairs activities," "complex contingency operations," "developmental assistance," "diplomatic and/or consular facility," "resolution," and "US Defense Representative" from Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.