Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. Clausewitzian notion that the key to strategic success depends on applying effects to influence the adversary's greatest source of power, its "center of gravity," in order to achieve our mission and prevent the enemy from achieving his. Not only does the draft JP 5-0 assert that CoG is relevant to all operational environments including the WOT, it treats it as a critical step in the campaign planning process. Planners take as input a detailed system-of-systems analysis of the enemy, determine its center of gravity, then systematically analyze it in order to "produce the right combination of effects in time, space, and purpose … to neutralize, weaken, or destroy it" without wasting precious resources. Theoretically, doing so "is the most direct path to mission process? Are we comfortable that the result will be a CoG that when weakened, destroyed, or neutralized, will directly achieve mission accomplishment? Or, are there seams within this process that could instead introduce confusion or lead to the wrong result? If so, can we mitigate them? If not, does this mean JP 5-0's construct is fundamentally flawed?This paper begins with Clausewitz's original idea and some key points of contention predating the draft JP 5-0. It will then present JP 5-0's CoG definition to show how it addresses these issues. Next, it will evaluate JP 5-0's use of CoG in the planning process to identify pitfalls. Finally, it will offer recommendations to mitigate those pitfalls and suggest areas for further research.
