Mission Command: An Exploration of its Issues in Multinational Units

Mission Command: An Exploration of its Issues in Multinational Units

Mission Command

Multinational operations

NATO

leadership

command

military

This paper explores the application of mission command in binational and multinational units within the NATO context. It explores differences in understanding and application of mission command, amongst NATO members, and identifies the negative impact that these can have on the behaviour of tactical leaders, and on mission accomplishment, within a multinational context. The paper demonstrates that the understanding and therefore the application of mission command differs between the NATO members; that this influences the leadership style of superiors and their willingness to transfer trust and responsibility, and to assume risk; and, that differences in language, understanding and meaning of terms, and different contents of intents result in a negative influence, all of which are exacerbated by political influence. On the other hand, modern technology in binational or multinational units supports and promotes the application of mission command. The paper concludes with recommendations to mitigate these problems and to create the conditions where mission command can be employed successfully.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and should not be taken to represent the views of the Bundeswehr, the Irish Command and Staff School or any other group or organisation.

Ochs, René

Journal Of Military History and Defence Studies; Vol. 1 No. 2 (2020): Journal of Military History and Defence Studies, November 2020; 75-106

2712-0171

Maynooth Academic Publishing

2020-12-04

Copyright (c) 2020 Journal Of Military History and Defence Studies

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

application/pdf

eng

info:eu-repo/semantics/article

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Peer-reviewed Article