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The FA: leading joint interdependency with JACI.

Article Excerpt
America is heavily engaged in a Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). We face an extended conflict against an irreconcilable and adaptive enemy. At the same time, we are changing how the US armed services conduct business.

This demands an unprecedented degree of joint cooperation. All services must move beyond joint interoperability (the assurance that service capabilities can work together smoothly), even beyond joint integration (collective efficiency and tempo). To gain the right force structure mix--one that is capable of meeting the breadth, depth and longevity of the challenges throughout the range of military operations--the services and defense agencies must achieve joint interdependence.

This article describes the joint and Combined Integration Directorate (JACI) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and what JACI has been doing to achieve joint interdependency since it was founded two years ago.

JACI's Charter, Programs and Organization. With the current emphasis on joint operations and joint fires and effects, Fort Sill needed an office to synchronize activities to avoid duplication, generate cross-talk and ensure everyone is working on common goals.

JACI was established as part of the Training and Doctrine Command's (TRADOC's) reorganization. As TRADOC's training center for joint fires and effects, it was logical for Fort Sill to teach the command and staff skills required to integrate, coordinate and synchronize the application of the full range of joint fires and effects at Fort Sill. JACI serves as an Army hub for joint command and control ([C.sup.2]) developments and issues and is an active participant in joint doctrine development and materiel issues.

This new Fires Center of Excellence directorate is the commanding general's primary staff proponent for all joint fires and effects-related issues, including the development, integration and execution of all joint instruction, training and doctrine at the Field Artillery School and Fort Sill. See Figure 1.

JACI prepares, reviews and coordinates all joint issues with the joint staff; component commands; Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA); Forces Command (FORSCOM); TRA-DOC; and the installation staff. JACI also established, teaches and manages the Joint Operational Fires and Effects Course (JOFEC) and Joint Fires Observer Course (JFOC). The directorate provides Air Force participation for joint training exercises and coordinates live air...

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