Drs. David Alberts and Richard Hayes' book "Understanding Command and Control" states that the purpose of C2 "has remained unchanged since the earliest military forces engaged." But implementing C2 effectively now in the era of transformation can break traditional notions by envisioning a chemical model which incorporates emerging and disruptive technologies arriving at exponentially faster rates. Like carbon chains in organic chemistry, the military C2 organization has grown by adding communications (C3), computers (C4), and other elements such as I (intelligence), S (surveillance), and R (reconnaissance). This primitive C4ISR model anticipates future concatenations of Complexity, Chaos, and Convergence. It further requires new challenges to the historic C2 model in which the Command and Control elements are inextricably bonded together. Breaking the traditional C2 bond and rearranging the growing chain of elements produces powerful new constructs not unlike chemical isomers which could more effectively target each stage of the spectrum of conflict. Isomers represent organizational morphings promoting agility across the spectrum where even the speed of humans can potentially hinder combat effectiveness. An adaptation to the traditional OODA loop is suggested in this paper.

Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (ICCRTS) (14th), Topic 7: C2 Approaches and Organization, held in Washington, DC, on 15-17 June 2009. Document includes briefing charts in addition to text.

Introduction -- Chemistry as a methodological model -- C2 agility for the exponential acceleration of technology -- Shrinking the OODA loop -- Adapting to the spectrum of conflict -- Back to the methodological model -- Conclusion.