US Joint Publication 3-0

US Joint Publication 3-0
Name	US Joint Publication 3-0
Type	Doctrine
Issued by	United States Department of Defense
First published	1993
Latest revision	2018
Subject	Joint operations doctrine
Preceded by	JCS publications

US Joint Publication 3-0 US Joint Publication 3-0 is the principal United States doctrinal publication that defines how United States Armed Forces plan, prepare, execute, and assess joint operations. It codifies concepts employed by the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and component commanders to integrate capabilities across the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Space Force. The publication connects strategic guidance from the National Security Council, national strategies such as the National Defense Strategy, and operational direction from combatant commanders like those of United States Central Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Overview

JP 3-0 articulates principles that guide conduct of campaigns and major operations, addressing aspects of Joint force command, synchronization of combat power, and force posture. It frames activities in the context of authorities exercised by the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense (United States), and theater commanders, and links to doctrines from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Nations Security Council mandates, and multinational coalitions like operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The publication emphasizes unity of effort among services, components, and interagency partners including the Department of State, United States Agency for International Development, and law enforcement elements.

Historical Development and Revisions

JP 3-0 evolved from Cold War-era guidance produced by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and underwent major revisions following conflicts such as the Gulf War, Bosnian War, and Kosovo War. Revisions reflect lessons from operations involving the Marine Expeditionary Unit, carrier strike groups centered on USS Nimitz (CVN-68), and joint task forces like Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. The 2018 edition incorporated concepts influenced by strategic competition with states such as the People's Republic of China and responses to asymmetric threats exemplified by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant operations. JP 3-0 also integrates changes prompted by technological advances from industry leaders and programs such as Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency initiatives.

Doctrine and Core Concepts

Central concepts include unified action, operational art, and levels of war that tie to strategic objectives set by the President of the United States and operational guidance from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The publication defines campaign design, seizure and retention of the initiative, and application of joint capabilities such as maritime power projection exemplified by Amphibious Ready Group operations, strategic aircraft missions like those flown by Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, and space operations overseen by United States Space Command. JP 3-0 addresses integration of intelligence from sources including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency to inform targeting and force protection.

Organization and Joint Functions

JP 3-0 describes the organization of joint forces under commanders such as combatant commanders and joint task force commanders using command relationships like combatant command (COCOM), and delineates component functions for land, maritime, air, cyber, and space components. It outlines joint functions—command and control, intelligence, fires, movement and maneuver, protection, sustainment—linked to capabilities provided by units from the 82nd Airborne Division, Carrier Air Wing, and Special Operations Command. The publication references coordination with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and partners in alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Planning and Execution of Joint Operations

JP 3-0 details operational planning processes that integrate joint operation planning with strategic documents like the National Military Strategy and theater campaign plans developed by commands including United States European Command. It prescribes the use of the Joint Planning and Execution Community, deliberate and crisis action planning orders, and schemes of maneuver that leverage combined arms from formations like I Marine Expeditionary Force and armored brigades such as the 1st Armored Division. Execution guidance covers joint targeting, logistics support via the Defense Logistics Agency, and legal oversight involving the Uniform Code of Military Justice and counsel from the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Interoperability and Multinational Integration

Emphasis is placed on interoperability with allies and partners through standards set by organizations like NATO and interoperability initiatives with nations including United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. JP 3-0 promotes multinational command arrangements used in campaigns such as Operation Allied Force and coalition coordination observed during Operation Desert Storm, addressing communications, rules of engagement, information sharing, and logistics interoperability with entities like the European Union and bilateral partners.

Implementation, Training, and Education

Doctrine implementation is supported through professional military education at institutions such as the National Defense University, United States Army War College, Naval War College, and Air War College, as well as through joint exercises like Exercise Red Flag, Exercise RIMPAC, and multinational training under Coalition frameworks. Assessment uses after-action reviews from operations including Operation Enduring Freedom and simulation tools developed in collaboration with research centers and defense contractors. Continuous revision cycles incorporate lessons from commanders, staffs, and academic research drawn from publications like military journals and think tanks such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Category:United States Department of Defense publications