DoD Force & Infrastructure Categories: A FYDP-Based Conceptual Model of Department of Defense Programs and Resources

Abstract : This paper describes a framework that organizes and displays every dollar person and piece of equipment shown in DoD's Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). The framework, called Force & Infrastructure Categories (F&IC), represents a conceptual model of the DoD that is based on two types of organizations, Forces and Infrastructure, and reflects the division of labor between them. Forces organizations are the war fighting ships, squadrons, and battalions assigned to the Combatant Commands. Infrastructure organizations are the laboratories, depots, shipyards, test ranges, schools, and hospitals assigned exclusively to the Military Departments. The F&IC model presents Forces as the tools Combatant Commanders use to fight wars and Infrastructure as the set of activities needed to create and sustain those Forces. The F&IC is designed to provide senior decision makers with the revised definitions, relevant categories, and new vocabulary needed to frame issues, communicate intent, and control implementation in a new era of national defense.