Military Review English Edition May-June 2014 | Page 46

The Department of Defense (DOD) concept for network-centric warfare theory predates the 9/11 terrorist attacks that immersed our nation in its longest war.3 Before the war, network-centric warfare theory was an important transformational concept, and Congress was briefed about its implementation within DOD. However, the theory was not adopted as the basis for operational doctrine. Rather than emphasizing U.S. advances in technology, doctrine has used European colonial experiences as the underpinnings for the war’s counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine.4 This represents a missed opportunity. Network-centric warfare theory is different from other doctrinal frameworks b