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