Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program History
The Directorate was established to execute and manage the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program (JNLWP) and to implement operational structure as agreed to in the Joint Service Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of 21 January 1997 and restated in the latest version of the Joint MOA dated 10 May 2002. The significant change adds the United States Coast Guard as a voting member. The Directorate manages the day-to-day activities and provides support to the JIPT. The Director acts on behalf of the Executive Agent (EA) and the Joint Integrated Product Team (JIPT) in accordance with actions approved by the JIPT Chair and the management processes as depicted in the Joint MOA. The JNLWD will ensure that funding efficiencies are in place and approaches among the divisions are coordinated and maintained. The Directorate will represent the EA throughout a wide range of venues and audiences to include the operational CINC staffs, Joint Staff, the Services, interagency, academia, commercial vendors, and senior government and political officials. The JNLWD combines military, civil service and support personnel tasked to implement and maintain an aggressive, energetic, and forward-looking NLW program. The Directorate's responsibilities also include serving as the DoD NLW single point of contact for liaison with foreign entities on matters of mutual interest concerning NLWs.
Objective | Purpose | Organization | History | Opportunities
1.
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- Objective
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- Establish a joint program for non-lethal weapons which is based upon the Concepts-Based Requirements System (CBRS) and reviewed and funded according to the Joint Service Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the DoD Non-Lethal Weapons Program, dated 10 May 2002.
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2.
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- Purpose
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- Provide the most current and accurate
information available on relative aspects of non-lethal technologies to
the Joint Services and other government activities requiring the use of
restrained measures in the performance of their mission. Provide
the JCS and other responsible agencies with recommendations regarding
the application of Non-Lethal technologies on a global basis through a
life-cycle perspective; including research, development, production, and
deployment of those technologies.
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3.
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- Organization
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- A multi-service Integrated Product Team (IPT) provides oversight of the program and reviews recommendations of the Joint Coordination and Integration Group (JCIG). Recommendations are provided to the Commandant of the US Marine Corps. The JCIG provides general leadership and direction to the Program. It was formed from a consolidation of the Joint Concepts and Requirements Group (JCRG) and the Joint Acquisition Group (JAG) during 1998. The Directorate provides day-to-day oversight of the NLW Program. Click here for the NLW Program Organizational Chart.
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4.
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- History
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- The advent of an era when the military services were increasingly required to perform Operations Other Than War (OOTW) has led to the need for NLWs.
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- In early 1995, USMC LtGen Anthony Zinni was charged with protecting the final withdrawal of UN forces from Somalia and explored the prospects of using NLW. LtGen Zinni asked for quick response to field a NLW capability. The US Marine Corps and the US Army teamed to provide available NLW technology for use in and around Mogadishu. Although the NLW effects were marginal, LtGen Zinni's aggressive support added credibility to the NLW effort.
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- General John J. Sheehan, USACOM Commander, spoke at the Non-Lethal Defense Conference II, which was held in Washington, DC on 07 Mar 96. In his speech given at the conference, General Sheehan examined the global requirements for use of non-lethal weapons and emphasized the necessity for those weapons as standard-issue military hardware.
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- On 09 Jul 96, DoD Directive 3000.3 was issued. The directive established joint service organizational responsibilities and provided guidelines for the development and employment of non-lethal weapons. The directive designated the Commandant of the US Marine Corps as Executive Agent (EA) for the DoD Non-Lethal Weapons Program, with the responsibility of providing "...program recommendations and for stimulating and coordinating non-lethal weapons requirements."
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- Current NLW Training Opportunities
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- The US Marine Corps developed a Non-Lethal Individual Weapons Instructors Course (NIWIC) at the Marine Detachment (MARDET) in Fort McClellan, Alabama. The Instructors Course moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri during 1999. This course serves as the focal point for all inner-service non-lethal training. If you would like to know more about the course, see the detachment's website at Fort Leonard Wood.
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