The U.S. Army unveiled on Monday its first doctrinal publication codifying the military uses of data and information in multidomain operations.
The Army Doctrine Publication 3-13, Information, (ADP 3-13) released on Nov. 27, recognizes that all activities generate informational effects that can contribute to, or hamper, achieving objectives.
“Information is central to everything we do. It is the basis of intelligence, a fundamental component of command and control, and the foundation for communicating thoughts, opinions and ideas,” Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle, Jr., the commanding general for the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, said in a statement. “As a dynamic of combat power, Army forces fight for, defend, and fight with information to create and exploit information advantages — the use, protection, and exploitation of information to achieve objectives more effectively than enemies and adversaries.”
The service branch acknowledged that changes in the security environment necessitated an update to doctrine.
“Adversaries are already using informational power to try to gain regional influence and control well ahead of potential armed conflict. These actions make the competition for information and ideas continuous and persistent,” the Army said. “Key to achieving objectives in a contested environment like this means gaining an information advantage.”
The 144-page document gives leaders a framework for developing information advantages during operations and at home stations.
ADP 3-13 spells out how commanders can leverage aspects of information that enable command and control; protect data, information, and networks; inform audiences; influence threats and foreign relevant actors; and attack the threat’s ability to use information.
“Our new doctrine makes it clear that everyone plays some role in achieving information advantage,” said Richard Creed, director of the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate (CADD) – the organization charged with writing the new manual.
“And similarly, commanders need to consider information from a combined arms perspective because all Army capabilities create effects in the information dimension of our operational environment. We can’t make it the sole purview of a single staff section or certain specialties and expect success during operations,” Creed said. “Operations now require leaders to consider how information enables operations, how to protect friendly information, how to employ information against an enemy or adversary, and how to attack the enemy’s ability to use information effectively.”
The Army noted that the publication of the document is just the start of a sustained education campaign.
CADD is developing a series of products to help soldiers understand the new doctrine. Articles, videos, and podcasts devoted to ADP 3-13 are in the works, the Army said.
The team will also work closely with the Centers of Excellence, Army University, and the combat training centers to ensure this information is incorporated into professional military education and training.
“ADP 3-13 provides the intellectual underpinnings that describe how Army forces will gain, protect, and exploit information advantages; however, doctrine is only the beginning. The hard work starts when we begin to internalize these ideas into leader development, education, and training,” said Beagle.
The Army’s document was released on the heels of the Pentagon’s update to its strategic guidance for operations in the information environment.
The Pentagon’s Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment – which will soon be followed up with an implementation plan – calls on the Defense Department to provide all its members, including those assigned to the services, joint organizations, and combat support agencies, with the education, training, and resources needed to enable an effective information environment.
