Joint Publication 3-24 Counterinsurgency 22 November 2013 PREFACE 1. Scope This publication provides joint doctrine for the planning, execution, and assessment of counterinsurgency operations. 2. Purpose This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. It provides military guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other joint force commanders (JFCs) and prescribes joint doctrine for operations, education, and training. It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans. It is not the intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the JFC from organizing the force and executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems most appropriate to ensure unity of effort in the accomplishment of the overall objective. 3. Application a. Joint doctrine established in this publication applies to the Joint Staff, commanders of combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, subordinate components of these commands, the Services, and combat support agencies. b. The guidance in this publication is authoritative; as such, this doctrine will be followed except when, in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise. If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the contents of Service publications, this publication will take precedence unless the CJCS, normally in coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has provided more current and specific guidance. Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational (alliance or coalition) military command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified by the United States. For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States, commanders should evaluate and follow the multinational command’s doctrine and procedures, where applicable and consistent with US law, regulations, and doctrine. For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: DAVID L. GOLDFEIN, Lt Gen, USAF Director, Joint Staff i Preface Intentionally Blank ii JP 3-24 SUMMARY OF CHANGES REVISION OF JOINT PUBLICATION 3-24 DATED 05 OCTOBER 2009 • Refines the definition of “counterinsurgency” as comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously defeat and contain insurgency and address its root causes. • Introduces tenets and precepts of counterinsurgency. • Adds Chapter VI, “Assessing Counterinsurgency Operations.” • Emphasizes that understanding grievances is key to addressing root causes of insurgency and creating durable stability. • Renames “dominate narrative” to “counterinsurgency narrative” and updates the discussion on narrative development and dissemination. • Articulates that US counterinsurgency efforts should provide incentives to the host-nation government to undertake reforms that address the root causes of the insurgency. • Reduces redundancies and improves continuity between Joint Publication (JP) 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States, and JP 3-0, Joint Operations. • Removes appendices on provincial reconstruction team, insurgent approach indicators, and insurgency and crime. The provincial reconstruction team appendix was incorporated into JP 3-08, Interorganizational Coordination During Joint Operations. • Adds appendices on civil military operations, authorities in counterinsurgency operations, example counterinsurgency qualification standards outline, and precepts for counterinsurgency. iii Summary of Changes Intentionally Blank iv JP 3-24 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I OVERVIEW Introduction ................................................................................................................. I-1 Approach to Counterinsurgency ................................................................................. I-2 Governance and Legitimacy ....................................................................................... I-5 Insurgent Narrative versus Counterinsurgency Narrative ........................................... I-7 CHAPTER II INSURGENCY Overview ....................................................................................................................II-1 Nature of Insurgency ..................................................................................................II-1 Prerequisites for Insurgency ......................................................................................II-2 Insurgent Objectives ..................................................................................................II-9 Insurgent Narrative, Strategy, and Organization .....................................................II-10 Stages and Outcomes of Insurgency ........................................................................II-18 CHAPTER III FUNDAMENTALS OF COUNTERINSURGENCY Overview .................................................................................................................. III-1 Counterinsurgency Mindset ..................................................................................... III-4 Tenets of Counterinsurgency ................................................................................... III-7 United States Government Involvement in Counterinsurgency ............................ III-16 Operational Approaches ......................................................................................... III-22 Employment Considerations .................................................................................. III-26 CHAPTER IV THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT Introduction .............................................................................................................. IV-1 Operational Environment in Counterinsurgency ..................................................... IV-2 Tools and Methods for Understanding the Operational Environment ..................... IV-3 Establish an Evolving Common Operational Picture .............................................. IV-8 Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment Process Considerations for Counterinsurgency ..................................................... IV-10 Step 1: Define the Operational Environment ......................................................... IV-11 Step 2: Describe the Impact of the Operational Environment on Adversary and Friendly Capabilities ............................................................................................. IV-12 Step 3: Evaluate the Adversary(ies) and Other Relevant Actors ........................... IV-15 Step 4: Determine Potential Courses of Action of the Adversary(ies) and Other Relevant Actors ...................................................................................................... IV-26 v Table of Contents CHAPTER V PLANNING General ...................................................................................................................... V-1 Elements of Operational Design ............................................................................... V-2 Military Operational Considerations for Counterinsurgency ................................... V-8 Additional Operational Options for Counterinsurgency ......................................... V-12 Termination (End State), Transnational Military Authorities, Reconciliation, Reintegration, and Political Reform ....................................................................... V-17 Assessment .............................................................................................................. V-18 CHAPTER VI ASSESSING COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS General ..................................................................................................................... VI-1 The Assessment Process and Assessment Plan ....................................................... VI-6 Operation Assessment Methods ............................................................................. VI-15 Organizing for Operation Assessments ................................................................. VI-16 CHAPTER VII SUPPORTING OPERATIONS FOR COUNTERINSURGENCY Integrating Operations to Support the Strategic Narrative ..................................... VII-1 Cyberspace Considerations in Support of Counterinsurgency Operations ............. VII-1 Considerations for Air Operations in Counterinsurgency ...................................... VII-2 Space Capabilities ................................................................................................... VII-5 Maritime Considerations in Support of Counterinsurgency Operations ................. VII-6 Conventional Ground Force Considerations in Support of Counterinsurgency Operations................................................................................ VII-7 Special Operations Considerations in Support of Counterinsurgency Operations................................................................................ VII-8 Detainee Operation Considerations in Support of Counterinsurgency Operations.............................................................................. VII-10 Counter-Improvised Explosive