A collection of JPME operational contract support case studies and vignettes

Abstract

The objective of this project is to educate joint senior leaders on the importance of the strategic effects of operational contract support (OCS). Contracting for goods and services in the contingency operational environment is a mission-enabling necessity; however, analyzing the strategic effects of contracting is not well practiced and rarely understood by military leaders—from lieutenants to generals. Commanders in the field are taught to think of the costs literally, as tax dollars spent to enhance mission effectiveness. However, the less literal costs and the associated effects of choosing to contract for goods or services are largely ignored. This project explores the use of OCS in contingency environments, and the positive and negative effects OCS decisions have on the larger, strategic military mission, and on other instruments of power. The case studies and vignettes developed by this research examine how second- and third-order OCS effects impact the United States' military mission and general interests. The products developed during the course of this project consist of case studies and vignettes for use in Joint Professional Military Education coursework.