article posits that the creation of an online “Remote
Civil Information Management (CIM) Portal,” as the
potential missing link for how not only USAR CA can
better support the various Combatant Commander
Areas of Responsibility (COCOM AORs) but also how
it could leverage SMEs from a variety of other interagency, intergovernmental, and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs).
Framing the Problem
TRADOC Pam 525-8-5, U.S. Army Functional Concept for Engagement, clearly notes the current Army
Concept Framework (ACF) does not adequately guide
forces on how to advise and assist foreign security
forces, governments, and peoples. TRADOC Pam
525-8-5 further notes the importance of partnership
activities and special warfare activities in any engagement strategy.2 CA forces play an important role in
this framework, but they are by far the sole players.
There are a variety of other DoD, interagency, intergovernmental, and NGO players on the battlefield
that ultimately help in how we can best advise and assist foreign security forces, governments, and peoples.
It is important to briefly understand the clear
distinction between Civil Affairs Operations (CAO)
and Civil Military Operations (CMO) in order to best
grasp the warfighting capability gap that a remote
CIM portal could fill in line with the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership & Education,
Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPL) model. According to JP 3-57, Civil Military Operations, CAO is “Actions planned, executed, and assessed by Civil Affairs
forces that enhance the awareness of and manage the
interaction with the civil component of the operational environment.” 3 Meanwhile CMO is, “activities of
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