JOINT DOCTRINE PROCESS

The development and revision of joint doctrine follows a prescribed process which insures full participation by the Services, the Joint Staff, and the combatant commands. Development and revision timelines have also been established, based on multiple years of experience using the established development and revision process.

STEP #1 Project Proposal  Submitted by Services, CINCS, or Joint Staff to fill extant operational void  J-7 validates requirement with Services and CINCs  J-7 initiates Program Directives

STEP #2 Program Directive  J-7 formally staffs with Services and CINCs  Includes scope of project, references, milestones, and who will develop drafts  J-7 releases Program Directive to Lead Agent. Lead Agent can be Service, CINC, or Joint Staff (JS) Directorate

STEP #3 Two Drafts  Lead Agent selects Primary Review Authority (PRA) to develop the pub  PRA develops two draft pubs  PRA staffs each draft with CINCs, Services, and Joint Staff

STEP #4 CJCS Approval  Lead Agent forwards proposed pub to Joint Staff  Joint Staff takes responsibility for pub, makes required changes and prepares pub for coordination with Services and CINCs  Joint Staff conducts formal staffing for approval as a Joint Publication

STEP #5 Assessments/Revision  The CINCs receive the pub and begin to assess it during use  18 to 24 months following publication, the Director, J-7 will solicit a written report from the combatant commands and Services on the utility and quality of each pub and the need for any urgent changes or earlier-than-scheduled revisions  No later than 5 years after development, each pub is revised