Creating and using non-kinetic effects: Training joint forces for asymmetric operations

US military forces now face asymmetric military operations. Management of relationships with civilians is often crucial to success. Local population groups can provide critical intelligence or be sources of increasingly violent insurgent activity. A variety of organizations that are neither citizens nor military forces complicate the scenario. Mission readiness and rehearsal training are evolving to respond to this new operating environment. In particular, the Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) adds the Joint Non-kinetic Effects Model (JNEM) and the Independent Stimulation Module (ISM) to any of several combat models. JNEM models the non-kinetic effects of joint military operations on the attitudes and reactions of civilian population groups. ISM manages the flow and delivery of information. All components of JLCCTC communicate in real time during training. Commanders learn that appropriate actions improve the situation (e.g., better cooperation) and inappropriate actions make things worse (e.g., increased numbers of insurgents).