Joint Publication 3-09

Joint Publication 3-09
Title	Joint Publication 3-09
Subject	Military doctrine
Publisher	United States Department of Defense
First published	1994
Latest revision	2014
Pages	varies

Joint Publication 3-09

Joint Publication 3-09 is a United States Department of Defense doctrinal manual that prescribes principles and procedures for planning and executing fires and close combat operations for joint forces. It bridges tactical concepts across services by integrating guidance from the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, and United States Air Force with multinational practices from organizations such as North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the United Nations, and coalition partners like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The publication interfaces with operational art discussed in documents from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Council.

Overview

The publication outlines concepts for the synchronized application of indirect and direct fires, maneuver, and targeting across expeditionary and theater campaigns, drawing on precedents from the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and historical campaigns such as the Normandy landings and the Operation Desert Storm air campaign. It codifies procedures that relate to command relationships used by headquarters like United States Central Command, United States European Command, United States Indo-Pacific Command, and components including III Corps, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Carrier Strike Group One, and Air Force Special Operations Command. The manual aligns tactical guidance with legal frameworks such as the Law of Armed Conflict and doctrines articulated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Development and Publication History

The doctrine evolved from Cold War-era combined arms manuals authored in the offices of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and refined after operations involving the 21st Century expeditionary campaigns led by commanders like General Colin Powell and General David Petraeus. Revisions reflect lessons learned from after-action reports produced by units including 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, and task forces such as Task Force Ranger and Combined Joint Task Force 101. Interagency inputs came from entities such as the Department of State, the Central Intelligence Agency, and legal advice from the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Major updates tied to technological advances referenced capabilities fielded by organizations like Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics.

Doctrine and Key Concepts

Core concepts include synchronized fires, joint targeting, effects-based operations, close air support, naval gunfire support, artillery, missile employment, and integrated air defense suppression as practiced in campaigns such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The manual incorporates targeting processes that reference systems like the Joint Targeting Cycle, the Global Positioning System, and platforms including the B-52 Stratofortress, F/A-18 Hornet, M1 Abrams, and M777 howitzer. It addresses coordination mechanisms found in doctrine documents from the Combined Arms Center, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and the Air Warfare Center to manage risks identified by units such as Special Forces (United States Army) and Navy SEALs.

Organizational Roles and Responsibilities

The publication delineates responsibilities among commanders, joint force air component commanders, joint force land component commanders, joint force maritime component commanders, and joint force special operations component commanders, drawing parallels to structures in United States Strategic Command and United States Cyber Command. It specifies staff functions performed by the J-2, J-3, J-5, and J-8 directorates within a joint staff as practiced in headquarters like Combined Joint Task Force 1 and Multinational Force Iraq, and references liaison practices seen in the Allied Joint Doctrine centers in Norfolk, Brunssum, and Naples.

Interoperability with Allied and Joint Doctrine

Interoperability guidance references standards and procedures promulgated by NATO Standardization Office, the European Defence Agency, and bilateral arrangements with partners such as the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, Australian Defence Force, and Canadian Armed Forces. It cross-references joint publications and service doctrine including materials from the Army Field Manual, Marine Corps Warfighting Publication, Naval Warfare Publication, and Air Force Doctrine Document, and seeks coherence with multinational rules of engagement developed after operations like Kosovo War and Operation Unified Protector.

Implementation and Training

Implementation relies on exercises and training events such as RED FLAG, RIMPAC, Vigilant Shield, and the Combined Joint Exercises series, using ranges and facilities like Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Naval Station Norfolk, and Nellis Air Force Base. Professional military education venues including the National Defense University, the United States Naval War College, the Air War College, and the Army War College incorporate the publication into curricula for planners from commands like CENTCOM and EUCOM. Wargaming centers such as the Combat Studies Institute and the Joint Forces Staff College model scenarios that informed revisions after analyses by organizations like the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Criticisms and Revisions

Scholars and practitioners in institutions like RAND Corporation, Brookings Institution, and the Heritage Foundation have critiqued the publication for adaptability to non-linear conflicts exemplified by Insurgency in Iraq, hybrid threats showcased in the Russo-Ukrainian War, and cyber-electromagnetic activities involving United States Cyber Command. Revisions have incorporated feedback from operational lessons and doctrinal experiments led by leaders such as General Martin Dempsey and Admiral Michael Mullen, resulting in updates coordinated with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and promulgated after reviews by panels including the Defense Science Board.

Category:United States Department of Defense doctrine