The Operational Arch OIF Planning w/COL Benson
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Dec 15, 2024 Retired U.S. Army Colonel Kevin Benson, former Chief of Plans J-5 for Third Army, shares insights from his extensive military career and his book, Expectation of Valor. He discusses the intricate planning for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, emphasizing the importance of communication between military and civilian sectors. Benson reflects on challenges encountered in aligning military and political objectives and shares humorous anecdotes about the complexities of multinational operations. He also highlights the power of educational networks in shaping careers within military planning.
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Start with Policy Objectives
- Start planning by understanding policy objectives.
- Link operational directives and tactical successes to these objectives from the start.
Initial Planning Focus
- Col. Benson's team was initially focused on immediate deployment rather than post-Baghdad planning.
- A memo from Wolfowitz demanding immediate action illustrated this focus.
Civil-Military Dialogue
- Effective civil-military communication requires speaking in a language policymakers understand.
- Military professionals must clearly express what force can and cannot achieve, bridging the communication gap.
