The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate ( JNLWD) represented the DoD Non-Lethal Weapons (NLW) Program’s
communities of interest (COI) in its inaugural participation
in the Peace and Stability Operations Training and Education
Workshop (PSOTEW) at National Defense University (April
14-16). Established in 1996, the DoD NLW Program seeks
fully integrated non-lethal competencies within each Service to
complement lethal effects, enhance the Joint Force's adaptability, and support strategic objectives that include minimizing
civilian casualties. The JNLWD’s participation in the workshop
was intended to inform PSOTEW COI on NLW utility, relevance, and availability for peacekeeping and stability operations;
to help the JNLWD better understand non-lethal demand
signal across DoD and among USG, allies/partners and NGOs;
and to build collaborative relationships between JNLWD and
PSOTEW COI.
During the PSOTEW plenary session, Col Michael Coolican ( JNLWD Director) briefed attendees on DoD’s NLW
program, its linkage to peacekeeping and stability operations,
currently available capabilities, and future technologies under
development.
Susan LeVine, the JNLWD’s Principal Deputy for Policy and
Strategy, led PSOTEW Work Group #2, “Determining True
Demand Signal for Non-Lethal Capabilities.” This work group
kicked-off by providing members with an in-depth look at the
DoD NLW program and its various initiatives – to include
NATO NLW studies, military assessments and exercise facilitated by the JNLWD. Work group members were also provided
with a static display and presentation of selected NL capabilities
and munitions by the JNLWD’s Capabilities Officer, Capt John
Stephenson.
Although the work group mix did not allow JNLWD personnel
to fully explore NLW demand signal as originally intended – a
productive collaboration session was conducted in which work
group attendees injected their thoughts and recommendations
to address continuing program challenges. Noteworthy were
the collaboration efforts provided by Mr. Nate Meehan, (Naval
Research Lab), Ms. Sarah Williamson (Protect the People),
Dr. Daniel Gouré (Lexington Institute) and Mr. Bob Kozloski (Office of DUSN /Management) on an array of pragmatic
recommendations to leverage current PKSOI initiatives to
increase senior-leader understanding of and advocacy for NLW,
and facilitate greater NLW integration across DOTMLPF-P.
These recommendations specifically focused on teaming with
appropriate PKSOI staff elements to pursue appropriate NLW
inclusion within:
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• The next revision of Joint Publication 3.07 (Stability Operations)
• The Protection of Civilians ATP Manual
• The Unified Action Commander’s Handbooks as Stab Ops
Sector “Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures” manuals.
• The Joint Planner Course Program of Instruction (POI)
assessment and improvement vis a vis PSO.
• Stability operations case studies
• OUSD/Policy-led discussions for potential revisions to
DoD Directive Policy 3000.05 (Stability Operations)
Work Group members also recommended the exploration of a
future OSD issuance (i.e., Directive-type Memorandum) to emphasize across the Department the importance of Joint/Service
NLW training and equipping for Stability Ops. This issuance
would align with combat command NLW emphasis efforts that
include a recent USSOUTHCOM NLW Policy memo issuance and USCENTCOM publishing of mandated escalation of
force training and reporting requirements for inbound forces.
The JNLWD appreciated its inclusion in the PSOTEW, and
looks forward to greater interaction with PKSOI and its COI
to better support the wide-ranging requirements of Phase IV
and V operators.
For those with interest/inquiries on the DoD Non-lethal Weapons program please visit http://jnlwp.defense.gov/ or reach out
to Ms. Kelley Hughes, JNLWD Public Affairs Officer at kelley.
[email protected].