Joint Lessons Learned System and Interoperability

Publisher Marketing: This study analyzes the evolution of the Joint Lessons Learned System. It examines historical evidence of interoperability issues in US joint military operations from World War II to the present. Three major conflicts: World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam, are surveyed to identify basic issues, factors affecting problem resolution, and general trends. Six contingency operations: Lebanon, 1958; Congo, 1964; Dominican Republic, 1965; Cambodia (Mayaguez), 1975; Iran, 1980; and Grenada, 1983, are then examined in similar fashion. This review provides the rationale for an effective, institutionalized Joint Lessons Learned System. Based on the evidence, the study then traces the evolution of the Joint Lessons Learned System from 1979 to the present. Primary tools of analysis are two US General Accounting Office Reports issued in 1979 and 1985, recent Congressional documents, the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act, and interviews with key personnel involved in Joint and Army Lessons Learned Systems. Basic conclusions of the study are: interoperability issues are resistant to resolution; clear patterns of failure exist in critical fields including planning, intelligence, communications, fire support, logistics, airlift, command and control; and lessons learned activities have not been institutionalized in a systematic and cohesive fashion. Resolution of recurring interoperability issues depends on reversal of these trends. The study concludes that increasingly enhanced threat force capabilities are certain to escalate the costs of success in future military operations. The study argues that the defense community should carefully nurture the embryonic Joint Lessons Learned System and move quickly to develop supporting Service Lessons Learned Systems. Cost-effective recommendations are offered which, if implemented, could significantly alter the effectiveness of current lessons learned activities and assure their survival in times of austerity and challenge. Contributor Bio:  Landry, Alan D Alan Landry is a dynamic leader with over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Currently, Alan is the owner and founder of ALtuitive Holdings, LLC, an independent consulting company focusing on leadership, strategy and mentorship. He retired from Raytheon Missile Systems in 2012, after serving as Director of Business Development for over 4 1/2 years. During his 10 years with Raytheon, Alan served in a variety of leadership positions to include 2 1/2 years as Director of Strategy for Raytheon Missile Systems. While at Raytheon, Alan proved himself to be an expert leader, strategist, and diversity/inclusion advocate. He created a mentor organization for over 50 emerging leaders and sustained the organization for over 5 years. Alan was awarded the Raytheon Excellence in Mentorship Award for 2012, an award limited to 30 recipients across the 70,000-employee base. Alan also served as a Diversity and Inclusion "Game Changer" for over 5 years, a leadership position within the company to create positive change in this critical area. Alan supported numerous Raytheon audiences with presentations on leadership, mentorship, strategy, and diversity/inclusion. He has a unique ability to personalize these critically important topics and connect to very diverse groups and organizations in ways that challenge them, motivate them and inspire them to be better as teams, as leaders and as followers. Before joining Raytheon, Alan served in the U. S. Army where he retired as a Colonel in 2002. Over his 26 year career, he served in a variety of command and staff positions in the US, Germany, Korea, Kosovo and Saudi Arabia, to include command of 2-43 ADA (PATRIOT) Battalion, XVIIIth Airborne Corps. Alan is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and NATO Peace Support Operations in Kosovo, which profoundly influenced his views on diversity/inclusion and ethnic strife. During his career, Alan was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and 6 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal. Alan earned a BS from the United States Military Academy at West Point, was awarded two Master of Military Arts and Sciences degrees, and he is a 1997 graduate of the US Army War College. Alan has been married to the former Paula Anne Williams from Suffern, N. Y., for 40 years. They are the proud parents of daughters Emily (Medley) and Sarah (Reames), sons Britton and John, both US Army officers, and grandparents to 10 wonderful grandchildren.