Matt Armstrong over at MountainRunner has more on the release of FM 3.07 Stability Operations.
While military operations may neutralize immediate "kinetic" threats, enduring change comes from stabilizing the unstable and building capacity to self-govern where there is none. Security, humanitarian relief, governance, economic stabilization, and development are critical for ultimate democratization, but more importantly, for peace and security locally and globally. Without competent and comprehensive engagement in these areas of "soft power," tactical "hard power" operations are simply a waste of time, money, and life.
This week the US Army released a new field manual, FM 3-07 Stability Operations, to adapt the military to these requirements of the modern age. The manual "represents a milestone in Army doctrine," writes LTG Bill Caldwell in the foreword.
It is a roadmap from conflict to peace, a practical guidebook for adaptive, creative leadership at a critical time in our history. It institutionalizes the hard-won lessons of the past while charting a path for tomorrow. This manual postures our military forces for the challenges of an uncertain future, an era of persistent conflict where the unflagging bravery of our Soldiers will continue to carry the banner of freedom, hope, and opportunity to the people of the world.
FM 3-07 elevates capacity-building to be co-equal with traditional offensive and defensive military operations of Big Army. This doctrinal shift is not new, but also found in the updated Operations Manual for the Army, FM 3-0, Caldwell also oversaw earlier this year.
This field manual is more than a revision to Army thinking and training of future officers. It is a linchpin in effective global engagement by the United States.
Much more at MountainRunner.