Should the Australian Army Adopt the Concept of Effects-Based Operations?

Effects based operations (EBO) are defined in this thesis as the synergistic employment of all instruments of national power, as interdependent and supporting systems to achieve desired national policy. EBO are a continuous process, applied from the strategic to the tactical level, to promote a whole of government strategy against an adversary, achieving a common end state with the greatest speed and least cost. Acknowledgement by the military that both lethal and nonlethal effects can be used to achieve a desired national endstate is essential. The Australian Army should employ the concept of EBO because the products of an effects based approach are enhanced, rapid, holistic, and agile solutions that are cost efficient, reduce the exposure of Australian soldiers, and harness the efforts of government to achieve Australian endstates. Thus established, any approach by the Australian Army to adopt EBO must be under the auspices of the entire Australian Defence Force (ADF) and with active government interagency involvement, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). While EBO present many advantages, implementing EBO within the US or Australian militaries will not occur without some cost. EBO is premised on the establishment of "jointness" and the ability to engage in an inter supporting nature with governmental agencies. Senior leadership at every level, ranging from military through to national government must take ownership and embrace this concept for it to become successful. This appreciation must then permeate throughout their organizations and become institutionalized. The adoption of EBO will also mean a change of culture and mind-set.