Command and influence

Command and influence is a component of Military C2 ('Command and control') and is a key aspect of Terrorist Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures.

Definition

Chris Flaherty in 2003 distinguished the concept of Command and Influence is a component of Military C2 ('Command and Control'), in the following terms: "Influence, is fundamental to effective Command where forces manoeuvre. Thus, recognition of “Influence” is an important element in any future warfighting concept. As an alternative to relying on Command and Control (C2) based effective Command there should be utilization of Command and “Influence” (CI) based effective Command.[1][2]

Role of influence in military theory

Notionally, 'influence' is definable as the effect of one person or thing on another.[3] In particular military information operations (IO) implicitly incorporates a variety of influence strategies, in order to shape the military and political spheres in conflict.

Relevance of Arquilla and Ronfeldt work

The work of John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt, on the netwar actor,[4] was used as the basis for developing the 'Command and Influence' model. In particular, their characterization of the network based organisation, as these routinely employ non-hierarchical based decision structures:

This later dictum clearly identifies 'Influence' as the enabling mechanism allowing actors/agents to disperse, devote to different tasks, as well as coordinate from a ground level up emulating operational centrality.

Command and influence relationship swarming tactics

Swarming attackers or defenders take advantage of any happenstance they can manipulate (to their own advantage); and are able to overcome coordination barriers, as these adopt the following strategies:[5]

Command and influence cohesive factors

The key Command and Influence cohesive factors, are:

References

  1. Flaherty, C.J. (2003) The Role of Command and Influence in Australian Multidimensional Manoeuvre Theory, Defence Force Journal. (162): 31-38. URL: http://www.adfjournal.adc.edu.au/UserFiles/issues/162%202003%20Sep_Oct.pdf
  2. Flaherty, C. (2010) Command, Influence and Information in 3D Tactics. Journal of Information Warfare. (9)1: 18-31.
  3. Flaherty, C. (2010) Command, Influence and Information in 3D Tactics. Journal of Information Warfare. (9)1: 18-31.
  4. Arquilla,J. Ronfeldt, D.F. (1996) The Advent of Netwar. RAND, Santa Monica, CA.
  5. Flaherty, C. (2012) Dangerous Minds: A Monograph on the Relationship Between Beliefs –Behaviours – Tactics. Published by OODA LOOP (7 September 2012). URL: http://www.oodaloop.com/security/2012/09/07/dangerous-minds-the-relationship-between-beliefs-behaviors-and-tactics/
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