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Updated October 22, 2021
Defense Primer: Army Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)
As an operational concept, Multi-Domain Operations
(MDO) influence what types of weapon systems and
equipment the Army procures, what types and numbers of
soldiers are needed, the organizational structure of the
Army, and what type of training is required-all significant
legislative concerns for Congress. As such, an
understanding of MDO could prove beneficial for
congressional oversight activities.
What Are MuItiDomain Operations
According to the U. S. Army's Training and Doctrine
Command (TRADOC):
Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) describes how
the U.S. Army, as part of the joint force [Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force] can
counter and defeat a near-peer adversary capable of
contesting the U.S. in all domains [air, land,
maritime, space, and cyberspace] in both
competition and armed conflict. The concept
describes how U.S. ground forces, as part of the
joint and multinational team, deter adversaries and
defeat highly capable near-peer enemies in the
2025-2050 timeframe.
MDO provides commanders numerous options for
executing simultaneous and sequential operations
using surprise and the rapid and continuous
integration of capabilities across all domains to
present multiple dilemmas to an adversary in order
to gain physical and psychological advantages and
influence and control over the operational
environment.
Why Did the Army Adopt MD?
MDO is described in detail in a December 2018 Army
publication titled The U.S. Army in Multi-Domain
Operations 2028. MDO was developed in response to the
2018 National Defense Strategy, which shifted the previous
focus of U.S. national security from countering violent
extremists worldwide to confronting revisionist powers-
primarily Russia and China-that are said to want to shape
a world consistent with their authoritarian model-gaining
veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic,
and security decisions. According to The U.S. Army in
Multi-Domain Operations 2028:
China and Russia exploit the conditions of the
operational environment to achieve their objectives
without resorting to armed conflict by fracturing the
U.S.'s alliances, partnerships, and resolve. They
attempt to create stand-off through the integration
of diplomatic and economic actions,
unconventional and information warfare (social
media, false narratives, cyber-attacks), and the
actual or threatened employment of conventional
forces. By creating instability within countries and
alliances, China and Russia create political
separation that results in strategic ambiguity
reducing the speed of friendly recognition, decision,
and reaction. Through these competitive actions,
China and Russia believe they can achieve
objectives below the threshold of armed conflict.
How the Arm Intends to Compete
Arguably, competition is a critical aspect of MDO because
if it is conducted successfully, conflict might be avoided.
According to U.S. Army Chief of Staff Paper #2, The Army
in Military Competition, dated March 1, 2021, the Army
competes in three ways:
Narrative competition, which is reflected in the rise and
fall of a country's reputation based on general perceptions
of its strength, reliability, and resolve. The Army
contributes by being a lethal, competent, credible force and
being recognized as such by allies and partners, as well as
by adversaries.
Direct competition, which encompasses the full range of
competitive activities, from the lowest intensity competition
below armed conflict through general state conflict. In
direct competition, the objective is to create leverage for the
United States and to deny it to the adversary.
Indirect competition, in which the objective is to gain
advantage (or deny it to the adversary). This objective is in
contrast to the more forceful concept of leverage in direct
competition. The Army contributes by offering a range of
credible (low- and moderate-intensity and risk) options for
policymakers.
Some of these options include activities such as overseas
exercises, security cooperation, security force assistance,
military-to-military exchanges, overseas basing,
intelligence sharing, and disaster relief. In this regard,
indirect competition is not a new operational concept but
instead more along the lines of a redesignation of traditional
activities short of armed conflict. Army leadership believes
that if the Army and the other Services prevail in these
competitions, U.S. national security objectives should be
achieved.
How MDC Is Intended to Work
The Army's central idea is to prevail by competing
successfully in all domains short of conflict, thereby
deterring a potential enemy. If deterrence fails, Army
forces-along with the Joint Force-are to:
Penetrate enemy anti-access and area denial (A2/AD)
systems (layered and integrated long-range precision-strike
systems, littoral anti-ship capabilities, air defenses, and](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/govegrz0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)