Introduction to Command, Control, and Communications: a primer

Abstract

This thesis is a primer for students in the Introduction to Command, Control, and Communications Courses at the Naval Postgraduate School. This document provide students a consolidated reference that emphasizes key concepts and ideas presented by the course instructor and required readings. Its organization closely parallels the course outline used for in-class instruction. It supports course objectives by providing an executive overview of a wide variety of C2 topics. These topics include: C2 related definitions; roles, missions, capabilities, and warfighting philosophies of the military services; C2 functions and C4I systems used by the military services; and C4I modernization initiatives. This primer serves as a daily reading source that explains fundamental concepts, highlights key points in external readings, and cites examples of modern applications of C4I systems. The thesis is not intended to eliminate the requirements for outside research from the courses, but only to reinforce the main ideas. The concise organization of material presented in this thesis will promote retention of the course objectives that will better prepare students for follow-on courses in the C3 curriculum.