This paper discusses insights and best practices in how we organize a JTF and establish command relationships to best accomplish the mission through coherent integration of our capabilities. This paper includes and builds on insights previously distributed in the JWFC publication “Insights on Joint Operations” by General (Retired) Gary Luck dated
September 2006. It focuses on JTF level organization and command relationships, and orients on land-centric JTFs to provide relevant insights for current operations in GWOT.

Focus paper #1 addresses CCIR. Focus paper #2 addresses Information Management. Focus paper #3 addresses interagency relationships. Future papers will delve more into combatant command level and multinational force organization and command relationship insights. The Joint Warfighting Center’s joint training group and joint doctrine group are afforded the unique opportunity to visit and support commanders and staffs of joint headquarters worldwide as they prepare for, plan, and conduct operations. We gain insights into their challenges and their derived solutions as they support our national interests. We analyze and compare practices amongst the different headquarters, reflect on the various challenges, techniques and procedures, and draw out and refine what we term “best practices,” which inform and shape joint doctrine.

We want to get your thoughts on this subject. Please pass on your comments, insights, and best practices so that we may share them throughout the community. We have developed an interactive web page for this on Joint Knowledge Online at http://jko.jfcom.mil (Requires login; then go to Joint Training Group (JTG) section under the joint communities of interest heading). An alternative is contacting the JTG POC for insights and best practices, Mike Findlay at (757) 203-5939 or email at JWFC.best.practices@jfcom.mil.