U. S. Command
Published: 2012-10-30
Total Pages: 232
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This handbook, "Commander's Handbook for Strategic Communication and Communication Strategy," is a pre-doctrinal document on "Strategic Communication (SC)" and the development of communication strategy at all levels of command. It provides fundamental principles, techniques, and procedures that are evolving in the joint community and moving toward incorporation into joint publications. This handbook serves as a bridge between current practices in the field and the migration into doctrine. As such, the intent is to inform SC proponents, practitioners, doctrine writers, educators, and trainers of SC for inclusion in joint doctrine, education, and training. Synchronizing SC-related themes, messages, images and actions across the joint force is often critical to mission accomplishment. However, SC encompasses national-strategic level and non-DOD activities that are not under the direct control of the joint force commander (JFC). This adds to the complexity of the effort to adapt and apply themes, messages, images, and actions at each level within military operations to create desired and avoid undesired outcomes in selected audiences. The continuous, rapid communications flow in the information environment, facilitated by modern technological advances and media distribution methods, requires responsive, agile processes and capabilities to preserve and enhance the credibility and influence of the United States. To address these challenges through unified action, a whole-of government approach known as strategic communication (SC) has emerged. SC generally is accepted as "Focused United States Government (USG) efforts to understand and engage key audiences in order to create, strengthen or preserve conditions favorable for the advancement of USG interests, policies, and objectives through the use of coordinated programs, plans, themes, messages, and products synchronized with the actions of all instruments of national power." Further and more specifically, effective SC requires synchronization of crucial themes, messages, images, and actions with other nonlethal and lethal operations. The February 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) identified SC as one of five specific "areas of particular emphasis" critical to the Department of Defense (DOD) ability to address a strategic environment "characterized by uncertainty and surprise." The QDR went on to state that DOD, "...must instill communication assessments and processes into its culture; developing programs, plans, policy, information and themes to support Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) that reflect the US Government's overall strategic objectives." The primary military capabilities that contribute to SC include public affairs (PA), information operations (IO), and defense support to public diplomacy (DSPD). This handbook outlines current doctrine, useful results from relevant studies, recognizes best practices, clarifies SC support requirements for the joint operation planning process, and offers other techniques and procedures currently used in the field. It also addresses some techniques, procedures, and implications for further development of SC-related joint doctrine, organizations, training, material, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities. A hypothetical vignette is included in Appendix J to assist in understanding the material.