This study is a study of the complicated problem of command and control
in modern warfare. The challenges of command and control during the
Vietnam War provide the basis for the exploration of an enduring matter
of concern to military professionals. The goal of achieving unity of
command is inextricably linked to the creation of a clear and logical
command structure. Getting the command and control right is a precept on
which military professionals pride themselves. A clear command
structure ultimately enables military formations to synchronize actions
towards a common aim or objective. This monograph analyzes the U.S.
military’s transition from advisory to offensive operations during the
Vietnam War, specifically focusing on command structures and their
impact on the synchronization of tactical actions. Despite an already
complex situation brought about through hybrid warfare, policy-makers
and senior commanders compounded the complexity of the war by
establishing inadequate command arrangements. The result was a piecemeal
application of military power remiss of operational coherence. This
study explores the degree to which problems in command and control
frustrated the synchronization of tactical actions.
OBTAIN DOCUMENT: Getting the Command and Control Right: A Vietnam Case Study
