Accepting that post-conflict operations are part of campaign planning continues to be a challenge for the U.S. military. This monograph proposes that current Joint and U.S. Army doctrine is deficient in addressing the importance of post-conflict operations to campaign success. For the purpose of this monograph, the definition of post-conflict operations is Stability and Support Operations conducted after the conclusion of major combat to achieve the strategic policy objectives for peace. This monograph addresses three central questions. First, is there a need for post-conflict planning in the campaign process? Brief case studies of U.S. military actions in post-World War II Germany, Panama, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM demonstrate the importance of post-conflict planning and the effects of inadequate execution. The U.S. military and the U.S. Army in particular, have a long history of conducting post-conflict operations, showing that it is a consistent aspect of the framework of war. Second, what conditions are necessary to achieve success in the post-conflict environment? This study identifies five conditions: national and domestic security, a governing body, a judicial system, an economic system, and a populace capable of making the first four work. To achieve these conditions requires an interagency planning process oriented to establishing a legitimate host nation governing body. The U.S. Joint Forces Command is developing systems to address post-conflict planning and execution in the 'Security, Transition, and Reconstruction' and 'Operational Net Assessment' concepts, as well as the Joint Interagency Coordination Group organization. Third, is the conduct of post-conflict operations the decisive phase? Successful conclusion of major combat is not the culmination of U.S. military involvement in a campaign. Conflict termination and the transition from combat to Military Operations Other than War must be part of campaign planning to ensure conditions are set effectively for the transition to and execution of post-conflict operations. Post-conflict operations create conditions in which governments can pursue a stable peace. This study concludes that PCO is the decisive phase of operations and offers a planning model based on academic and doctrinal sources. Additional conclusions are that the U.S. military acknowledge its leading role in planning and executing post-conflict operations, major war games should incorporate post-conflict planning and execution, and the Department of Defense should pursue the developing Joint Interagency Coordination Group concept.

ADA436237 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)