JP 3-0, page 18

Executive Summary xvi JP 3-0 affect employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander. It encompasses physical areas and factors (of the air, land, maritime, and space domains) and the information environment (which includes cyberspace). Included within these are enemy, friendly, and neutral systems that are relevant to a specific joint operation. The nature and interaction of these systems will affect how the commander plans, organizes for, and conducts joint operations. Organizing the Joint Force Joint forces can be established on a geographic or functional basis. How JFCs organize their assigned or attached forces directly affects the responsiveness and versatility of joint operations. The first principle in joint force organization is that JFCs organize forces to accomplish the mission based on their intent and CONOPS. Unity of command, centralized planning and direction, and decentralized execution are key considerations. JFCs may elect to centralize selected functions within the joint force, but should avoid reducing the versatility, responsiveness, and initiative of subordinate forces. JFCs should allow Service and special operations forces tactical and operational forces, organizations, and capabilities to function generally as they were designed. Organizing the Joint Force Headquarters Joint force HQ include those for unified, subunified, and specified commands and joint task forces. While each HQ organizes to accommodate the nature of the JFC’s operational area, mission, tasks, and preferences, all generally follow a traditional functional staff alignment (i.e., personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics, plans, and communications). Boards, centers, working groups, and other semipermanent and temporary organizations facilitate cross-functional coordination, synchronization, planning, and information sharing between principal staff directorates. Although these organizations are cross-functional in their membership, they typically fall under the oversight of a principal staff directorate. Organizing Operational Areas Except for areas of responsibility, which are assigned in the Unified Command Plan, geographic combatant commanders and other JFCs designate smaller operational areas (e.g., joint operations area and area