Effektbaserte operasjoner - konsekvenser for den militære kompetanseutviklingen av offiserer i Hæren

Abstract

Effects-Based Operations has become a dominating concept in NATO and among other Norwegian allies. This thesis examines how this should influence the knowledge development of Norwegian Army Officers. To gather empirical data for this thesis I have received orientations from the NATO Effects-Based Operations Working Group (EBO WG) in Norfolk Virginia, the Norwegian delegation to the UN Headquarters in New York, and the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre MoD at Shrivenham in the United Kingdom. I have also studied relevant articles, publications and books, in addition to having interviewed relevant representatives from the Norwegian Defence and the Norwegian Army. The thesis is structured into three parts. The first part examines history and background, and then looks in to challenges concerning a national ambition for effects based operations. The second part deals with the status and conceptual development within NATO, with a specific focus on the British development. The final part details how the development should influence Norwegian Army Officers from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. There are several challenges concerning competence and knowledge development among Norwegian Army Officers from an effects based perspective. To establish the necessary level of competence and skills among the officers the rather obvious conclusion is that this will require a combination of education and relevant training and exercises. This thesis will reveal that the operational competence level among Norwegian Army officers as per today is not at the level one could expect. Measures to deal with this situation will have to be initiated at the same time as the consequences of the higher ambitions concerning Effects-Based Operations are to be handled. This will have to pave the way for some specific measures, with some suggestions outlined in the conclusion of this thesis.