| Joint and combined operations are the wave of the | | | | DoD methods. This means producing manuals that |
| future. So, what are they? | | | | define words, as each service understands them and |
| In milspeak, joint refers to having members from more | | | | lessons on inter-service operations. |
| than one service: Army and Marines, Soldiers and | | | | In practice, practice works best. When Soldiers, |
| Sailors or some other combination. Combined speaks | | | | Airmen, Sailors and Marines work together they learn |
| of having members from more than one nation, such | | | | how each other service behaves and how they |
| as US and Canadian soldiers. Joint and Combined are | | | | expect things to be done. This can be as simple as |
| both possible at once and are quite common in | | | | gathering up bodies to pick up trash on the road to as |
| contingency operations around the world, from | | | | complex as how each service goes about getting their |
| anti-terror missions to disaster relief efforts. | | | | junior enlisted men promoted. |
| Naturally, this is a complicating factor. There is an old | | | | As is typical, it often falls to the senior NCO's to handle |
| military joke. Each service is tasked with securing a | | | | the messy details. Senior NCOs gather together to |
| building. The Army locks the doors at night. The Navy | | | | identify and solve issues. They will then pass this result |
| sweeps, mops, buffs the floors and empties the | | | | down their respective chains of command so |
| wastebaskets. The Air Force buys the building, the land | | | | everyone will know what to do. |
| and all associated rights. The Marines dig in fighting | | | | The issue is far more complex when other nations are |
| positions, set up weapons with interlocking fields of fire | | | | involved. Issues start big and only grow. It can be |
| and begins construction of obstacles. There is more | | | | something taken for granted like the ability of radios to |
| than a touch of truth to this. Each service has their | | | | transmit on the same frequencies or the availability of |
| own way of doing things and when they find | | | | sufficient translators. The problems of multiple |
| themselves working together, each serviceman thrust | | | | translations, where military technical jargon is translated |
| into this situation has lessons to learn about what does | | | | into one language, so one interpreter can talk to the |
| and doesn't make sense. | | | | other, who then translates into a third language for the |
| Some is obvious. Soldiers will tend to call any sergeant, | | | | other military force can only be imagined to those who |
| whether a staff sergeant, master sergeant or some | | | | haven't experienced it. Again, the only real solution is |
| other type, "Sergeant." Marines refuse to do this and | | | | exposure and training. Determining something as simple |
| will always use the full title. Marines who have never | | | | as when to salute someone whose rank you can't |
| encountered this before have been known to get | | | | identify can be quite a challenge in a multinational |
| annoyed at this lack of respect. | | | | operation, but on the other hand, occasionally you can |
| There are attempts to solve this issue using traditional | | | | get access to an Italian dining facility. |