Cluster analysis of joint tasks for rapid decisive operations

In October 2000, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff published Joint Vision 2020 which discusses the joint operational concept called rapid decisive operations. Current doctrine governing joint military operations is reflected in the Universal Joint Task List which specifies tasks a joint military force is expected to accomplish. The paper presents cluster analysis of the Universal Joint Task List to identify tasks critical to rapid decisive operations and command and control tasks specific to an operational joint headquarters conducting rapid decisive operations. Results suggest a new organizational construct for joint task force headquarters to better accomplish future operations. We conclude with implications and considerations for future joint headquarters design and experimentation.