Survivability Operations in the Current US Army Force

The contemporary operational environment (COE) has necessitated many changes in the way that American forces prepare for and conduct war. The problem, however, is that most of these changes do not adequately address the role that survivability operations should play across the full spectrum of conflict at the tactical level of warfare. Survivability Operations (SO) are all aspects of protecting personnel, weapons, and supplies while simultaneously deceiving the enemy to include cover, concealment, camouflage, and deception (C3D). The Training and Doctrine Command’s DOTMLP framework provides a means of analysis to determine the current role of SO and to make recommendations for change. Doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, and personnel all require small or large modifications in order to emphasize or increase the role that SO play across the full spectrum of conflict at the tactical level.