The Command Post: a comparison of tactical Command Post doctrine of the US and Soviet armies

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to compare the employment of tactical Command Posts in the U.S. and Soviet armies. In both the U.S. concept of Airland Battle and the Soviet doctrine of Offense in Depth, the Command Post is the facility from which command and control is exercised. Therefore, understanding its characteristics, functions, and structure are of great importance. In pursuit of that understanding, this paper provides definitions for the fundamental concepts of command and control, and the Soviet counterpart, troop control. These definitions are then applied to a model for the management of military forces. The warfighting doctrine of each army is then reviewed with special emphasis on how the doctrine impacts on the functions of management. Finally, a detailed examination of Command Posts explores whether they adequately support C2 needs, based on the warfighting doctrine. The principal conclusion is that there exists a dire need for the U.S. to clearly and distinctly define the concept of a C2 process in order to gain an understanding of how CPs fit into the C2 picture. Keywords: Command and Control; Troop control; Command post airland battle; Offense in depth management; Theses. (sdw)