Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) describes how the U.S. Army, as part of the joint force, can counter and defeat a near-peer adversary capable of contesting the U.S. in all domains, in both competition and armed conflict. The concept describes how U.S. ground forces, as part of the joint and multinational team, deters adversaries and defeats 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.
I worry that the Pentagon--and Army itself--doesn't consider how the Army can contribute by dominating their own domain the Pacific rather than contributing to core Navy functions, which has a track record of success in the Pacific in the face of a sea-air-land threat.
Helping the Navy and Air Force in their core competencies isn't out of bounds. But consider the land domain as a land domain worthy of fighting for. If the Army doesn't do that, who does?
And I still regret that INDOPACOM won out over my acronym of PAINCOM.
