Command and Control (Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 6) [Paperback]

U.S. Marine Crops (Author)

Book Description

Series: Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication | Publication Date: June 8, 2005

This doctrinal publication describes a theory and philosophy of command and control for the U.S. Marine Corps. Put very simply, the intent is to describe how we can reach effective military decisions and implement effective military actions faster than an adversary in any conflict setting on any scale. In so doing, this publication provides a framework for all Marines for the development and exercise of effective command and control in peace, in crisis, or in war. This publication represents a firm commitment by the Marine Corps to a bold, even fundamental shift in the way we will view and deal with the dynamic challenges of command and control in the information age. The Marine Corps' view of command and control is based on our common understanding of the nature of war and on our warfighting philosophy, as described in Fleet Marine Force Manual 1, Warfighting (to be superseded by Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1, Warfighting). It takes into account both the timeless features of war as we understand them and the implications of the ongoing information explosion that is a consequence of modern technology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (June 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557423075
• ISBN-13: 978-1557423078
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,357,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Management Text Around, October 28, 2005

By 

C. W. Richards (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Command and Control (Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 6) (Paperback)

Don't let the title fool you. This is one of the best management texts around by people who have to get it right or more will suffer than just their stock options.

As the book says right up front: "It is not more command and control that we are after. Instead, we seek to decrease the amount of command and control that we need." Think about that one for a while - does your company work this way?

Like its companion, MCDP 1, Warfighting, this is a guide for helping people to work together under conditions of stress and uncertainty. Sounds a lot like modern business to me.

If you're too old to join the Marine Corps, these books may be the next best bet. Read them, ponder them, and use them.

5.0 out of 5 stars Unrecognized management classic, March 5, 2007

By 

Stratiotes Doxha Theon "2 Thes 2:15" (Richmond, Missouri) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Command and Control (Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 6) (Paperback)

A well-written fast-paced read into a refreshing view of Command and Control theory. War is inherently chaotic and, in the past, many have attempted to control the chaos through strict and unquestioned authoritarian control or through intense planning that attempts to be ready for every possible contingency. The result is almost always a failure in communications required for authoritarian control or an overlooked or previously thought impossible event for which there is no contingency plan. Authoritarian control and exhastive contingency planning are impractical in the real chaos of combat. A better approach is not in attempting to tame the chaos but to learn to adapt to it and even use that chaos to your advantage. But how can that be accomplished?

In this brief little book from the U. S. Marine Corps, we have the answers to how to adapt and take advantage of chaos. The concepts are simple enough in theory but challenging to put into practice over a large organization. Still, the efforts to do so are wiorth the reward of having an organization that is truly able to meet the challenges. To fully grasp the concepts, it is necessary to accept a paradigm shift in how we understand Command and Control so the book provides the theory behind that new paradigm. This book describes the importance of mission orders that convey intent rather than details filled with synchronized actions tied to an inflexible plan. It describes how such orders require trust between command and subordinates and the desirability to enable and encourage intiative at the lowest levels in the ranks. It stresses the difference between management and leadership with respect to people and stresses the importance of people and ideas over technology. Each of the concepts is dependent on the others to make a workable solution.

This book is a cultural challenge to the other services and to civilian business cultures alike. It challenges the conventional wisdom in motivating people toward a common cause. It should be required reading in every officer candidate school and academy. It should also be required reading in every business school.

This book is divided into 3 main sections. The first section provides an introductory battle story to introduce various styles of command and control and related concepts, then continues with an introduction to define command and control. The second section provides the theory for understanding command and control. The final section provides insights into how to implement the theory of command and control provided in the earlier sections.

This is, perhaps, the best book on leadership and business management available for its concise and clear format without the marketing hype of so many other books like it. These concepts are the battle-tested real-world concepts that have transformed the Marine Corps to be one of the most successful and adaptive organizations ever created. An untapped classic that deserves a wider reading.