John Gordon IV

Senior Policy Researcher

Off Site Office

Education

Ph.D. in public policy, George Mason University; M.A. in international relations, St. Mary's University; M.B.A. in management principals, Marymount University; B.A. in history, The Citadel

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

John Gordon IV is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. He joined RAND in 1997 after a 20-year U.S. Army career and has since participated in and led numerous studies for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Departments of the Army and Navy. Gordon has authored or coauthored several RAND studies on counterinsurgency and irregular warfare. He has led or participated in RAND research projects for the governments of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. Gordon is also an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown and George Mason universities, where he teaches graduate-level courses on counterinsurgency and military operations. He has written numerous articles on military subjects that have appeared in a variety of professional journals. Gordon received his Ph.D. in public policy from George Mason University.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Army officer for 20 years; served on Army Staff in Pentagon; led the doctrine team within Concepts, Doctrine, and Force Policy Division

Recent Projects

Counterinsurgency theory and operations
Future coalition operations
The role of land forces in future conflicts

Selected Publications

John Gordon IV, Brett Andrew Wallace, Daniel Tremblay, John Hollywood, Keeping Law Enforcement Connected: Information Technology Needs from State and Local Agencies, RAND (TR-1165), 2012

Christopher G. Pernin, Elliot Axelband, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Brian B. Dille, John Gordon IV, Bruce J. Held, K. Scott McMahon, Walter L. Perry, Christopher Rizzi, Akhil R. Shah, Peter A. Wilson, Jerry M. Sollinger, Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program, RAND (MG-1206), 2012

F. Stephen Larrabee, Stuart E. Johnson, John Gordon IV, Peter A. Wilson, Caroline Baxter, Deborah Lai, Calin Trenkov-Wermuth, NATO and the Challenges of Austerity, RAND (MG-1196), 2012

John Gordon, Fighting for MacArthur: The Navy and Marine Corps' Desperate Defense of the Philippines, Naval Institute Press, 2011

Angel Rabasa, John Gordon IV, Peter Chalk, Christopher S. Chivvis, Audra K. Grant, K. Scott McMahon, Laurel E. Miller, Marco Overhaus, Stephanie Pezard, From Insurgency to Stability: Volume I: Key Capabilities and Practices, RAND (MG-1111/1), 2011

Angel Rabasa, John Gordon IV, Peter Chalk, Audra K. Grant, K. Scott McMahon, Stephanie Pezard, Caroline Reilly, David Ucko, S. Rebecca Zimmerman, From Insurgency to Stability: Volume II: Insights from Selected Case Studies, RAND (MG-1111/2), 2011

Robert W. Button, John Gordon IV, Dick Hoffmann, Jessie Riposo, Peter A. Wilson, Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future) Capability Assessment: Planned and Alternative Structures, RAND (MG-943), 2010

John Gordon IV, John Matsumura, The Army's Role in Overcoming Anti-Access and Area Denial Challenges, RAND (RR-229), 2013 (forthcoming)

Honors & Awards

Teaching Award, George Mason University
Legion of Merit, US Army
Silver Medal Award, RAND

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Federal News Radio; Inside the Pentagon; Technology Review

Commentary

Military Strategy

David E. Johnson: A Remembrance
On October 30th, David E. Johnson, Col U.S. Army (retired), a principal researcher at RAND and a leading intellectual in national defense and military history, passed away following a long illness. His deep knowledge of military history provided a perspective to analyze problems and make sound policy recommendations that were valued by senior decisionmakers in the Army and elsewhere.
Nov 10, 2022
The RAND Blog
Military Force Planning

Reimagining and Modernizing U.S. Airborne Forces for the 21st Century
Many of the challenges the U.S. will face in the coming years across the range of military operations could be deep inland and require rapid response. Airborne forcible entry — with reimagined and modernized airborne forces — would offer decisionmakers options in crises that they do not possess today.
Apr 20, 2016
War on the Rocks
Flagging Ally: Pakistan's Lapses Are Hurting the War on Terror
Published commentary by RAND staff: Flagging Ally: Pakistan's Lapses Are Hurting the War on Terror, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Mar 18, 2007
San Diego Union-Tribune

Publications

Report
Army Theater Fires Command: Integration and Control of Very Long-Range Army Fires
The U.S. Army is developing a new generation of surface-to-surface fires with very long ranges. To help with integration, the Army proposed creating the Theater Fires Command, which will need to operate as part of a joint force.
Aug 30, 2021
Report
Army Fires Capabilities for 2025 and Beyond
To assist the Army in its reorientation toward conventional combat operations, the authors of this report identify capability gaps in the field artillery and actions that the Army should consider taking from today to roughly 2030.
Dec 3, 2019
Report
America's Strategy-Resource Mismatch: Addressing the Gaps Between U.S. National Strategy and Military Capacity
This report describes the specific technological, doctrinal, and budgetary gaps between the stated strategic and defense policies of the United States and the resources and capabilities that would be required to implement those policies successfully.
May 7, 2019
Report
Targeted Interoperability: A New Imperative for Multinational Operations
This report looks at what motivations exist for interoperability and defines a reasonable framework from which to work if and when interoperability needs and investments meet strategic language in the United States.
Mar 25, 2019
Report
Building Armies, Building Nations: Toward a New Approach to Security Force Assistance
This report proposes an alternative approach to Security Force Assistance (SFA) derived from an interpretation of nation-building and legitimacy formation grounded in history.
Oct 24, 2017
Report
Assessing Tracked and Wheeled Vehicles for Australian Mounted Close Combat Operations: Lessons Learned in Recent Conflicts, Impact of Advanced Technologies, and System-Level Implications
We assess trade-offs between tracked and wheeled combat vehicles by exploring lessons learned from conflict in various parts of the world, the implications of advanced technologies, and system-level implications of the different classes of vehicles.
Apr 5, 2017
Report
Defining an Approach for Future Close Air Support Capability
This report helps to define an approach to ensure that the Army has a viable close air support capability in light of the possible retirement of the A-10.
Jan 30, 2017
Report
Organising for Peace Operations: Lessons Learned from Bougainville, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands
This report examines the governmental organizational structures that were used in three Australian-led interventions that commenced in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the Southwest Pacific regions: Bougainville, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands.
Sep 20, 2016
Report
Enabling the Global Response Force: Access Strategies for the 82nd Airborne Division
The Global Response Force is built for rapid response to unforeseen operations. This study recommends specific GRF access strategies for each geographic combatant command given constraints in aircraft, intermediate staging bases, and other factors.
Jul 28, 2016
Report
Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: Decisive War, Elusive Peace
Summarizes a classified five-volume report on the planning and execution of operations in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM through June 2004. Recommends changes to Army plans, operational concepts, doctrine, and Title 10 functions.
Jan 4, 2016
Report
Comparing U.S. Army Systems with Foreign Counterparts: Identifying Possible Capability Gaps and Insights from Other Armies
Comparing U.S. Army Systems with Foreign Counterparts: Identifying Possible Capability Gaps and Insights from Other Armies contrasts selected U.S. Army systems and capabilities with comparable foreign systems.
May 13, 2015
Report
The Ukrainian Crisis and European Security: Implications for the United States and U.S. Army
Discusses the implications of Russia's annexation of Crimea and attempt to destabilize eastern Ukraine for European security and the United States, particularly the U.S. Army.
Apr 2, 2015
Report
Enhanced Army Airborne Forces: A New Joint Operational Capability
RAND examined options to increase the mobility, protection, and firepower of U.S. Army airborne forces, given likely future missions and threats, and identified a concept for enhancing today's forces by adding a light armored infantry capability. The near-term focus also meant that the current Air Force airlift fleet was an important consideration, since Army airborne forces rely on Air Force transport aircraft to deploy.
Jan 23, 2015
Research Brief
Lessons from 13 Years of War Point to a Better U.S. Strategy
This brief summarizes seven lessons from the past 13 years of war and identifies critical requirements for land forces, special operations forces, and partners to collaborate successfully.
Dec 10, 2014
Report
Improving Strategic Competence: Lessons from 13 Years of War
This study formulates seven lessons from the past 13 years of war and identifies critical requirements for land forces, special operations forces, and partners to collaborate successfully.
Oct 14, 2014
Report
The Army's Role in Overcoming Anti-Access and Area Denial Challenges
The U.S. armed forces must be prepared to confront a wide range of anti-access and area denial challenges in future operations. This report makes the case for and proposes a joint response to the most serious of these threats posed by adversaries.
Jun 17, 2013
Report
Keeping Law Enforcement Connected: Information Technology Needs from State and Local Agencies
RAND researchers interviewed an extensive sample group to assess criminal justice technology priorities at the state and local levels, as well as the means by which agencies at those levels commonly receive information on technology.
Dec 5, 2012
Report
Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program
Documents the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems program's history, from inception to cancellation, and draws lessons from its experiences.
Dec 5, 2012
Research Brief
Can NATO Meet Defense Challenges in an Era of Austerity?
This study analyzes the impact of planned defense budget cuts on the capabilities of seven key European members of NATO and suggests ways in which the Alliance can adapt to meet emerging security challenges.
Oct 22, 2012
Report
NATO and the Challenges of Austerity
Analyzes the impact of planned cuts in defense spending by European members of NATO: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Oct 22, 2012
Commercial Book
Fighting for MacArthur: The Navy and Marine Corps' Desperate Defense of the Philippines
The only single-volume work offering a full account of the Navy and Marine Corps actions in the Philippines during World War II, providing never-before-published details about the fighting based on American and newly discovered Japanese sources.
Jun 11, 2012
Report
CANES Contracting Strategies for Full Deployment
Examines contracting alternatives for the full deployment phase of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services system, intended to give the U.S. Navy a common set of key command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence networks.
May 24, 2012
Report
Perspectives on the Battle of Wanat: Challenges Facing Small Unit Operations in Afghanistan
Using the Battle of Wanat as a case study, the authors evaluate a range of alternative technological and corresponding tactical improvements to help small unit operations in Afghanistan, particularly when establishing and protecting combat outposts.
Nov 3, 2011
Report
From Insurgency to Stability: Volume II: Insights from Selected Case Studies
This book examines six case studies of insurgencies from around the world to determine the key factors in the successful transition from counterinsurgency toward stability.
Sep 7, 2011
Report
From Insurgency to Stability: Volume I: Key Capabilities and Practices
This book identifies the procedures and capabilities that the U.S. Department of Defense, other agencies of the U.S.government, and its allies and partners require to support the transition from counterinsurgency to conditions of greater stability.
Sep 7, 2011
Report
Observations on Recent Trends in Armored Forces
Provides initial research observations on how various militaries view the role of heavy forces (tanks and other armored vehicles) in irregular warfare and hybrid warfare environments.
Jun 14, 2010
Research Brief
Alternatives for the Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future)
An assessment of the proposed MPF(F) Sea Basing squadron found alternative configurations with fewer ships and different air components that could still meet mission support counterinsurgency, special operations, and major combat operations.
May 13, 2010
Report
Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future) Capability Assessment: Planned and Alternative Structures
An assessment of the proposed MPF(F) Sea Basing squadron found alternative configurations with fewer ships and different air components that could still meet mission support counterinsurgency, special operations, and major combat operations.
May 11, 2010
Report
Withdrawing from Iraq: Alternative Schedules, Associated Risks, and Mitigating Strategies
In studying the withdrawal from Iraq, RAND assessed logistical constraints, trends in insurgent activity, and the implications of the readiness of Iraqi security forces on the size of the residual U.S. force and on security in Iraq and the region.
Jul 21, 2009
Report
Underkill: Scalable Capabilities for Military Operations amid Populations
The U.S. military is ill-equipped to fight extremists who hide in populations. The use of deadly force can harm and alienate the people whose cooperation U.S. forces need. To solve this problem, a new RAND study proposes a ''continuum of force.''
Mar 10, 2009
Report
Analytic Support to Intelligence in Counterinsurgencies
Examines the nature of the contemporary insurgent threat and provides insights on using operational analysis techniques to support intelligence operations in counterinsurgencies.
May 22, 2008
Research Brief
Countering Insurgency in the Muslim World: Rethinking U.S. Priorities and Capabilities
This research brief summarizes a RAND report that analyzes insurgencies such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq and calls for a major shift in investment priorities to give the United States the capabilities it needs for effective counterinsurgency.
Feb 5, 2008
Report
War by Other Means -- Building Complete and Balanced Capabilities for Counterinsurgency: RAND Counterinsurgency Study -- Final Report
Examines the challenge of 21st-century insurgency, exemplified by the global jihadist movement, and describes the civil, information, perception-and-cognition, and security capabilities required for effective counterinsurgency.
Jan 25, 2008
Report
Domestic Trends in the United States, China, and Iran: Implications for U.S. Navy Strategic Planning
To help the U.S. Navy understand how near-, mid-, and far-term trends in the United States, China, and Iran might influence its investments, RAND examined emerging domestic and regional nonmilitary trends in each of the three countries.
2008
Report
Warfighting and Logistic Support of Joint Forces from the Joint Sea Base
Analyzes the feasibility of sustaining a Marine Corps ground element ashore and simultaneously sustaining Army elements ashore from a sea base or moving Army elements ashore from the sea base in a reasonable period.
Sep 4, 2007
Report
Stealing the Sword: Limiting Terrorist Use of Advanced Conventional Weapons
Examines how terrorists make technology choices and how the United States can use that knowledge to discourage terrorists' use of advanced conventional weapons.
Aug 27, 2007
Research Brief
New Combat and Noncombat Roles for U.S. Aircraft Carriers
This research brief describes the range of new capabilities that U.S. aircraft carriers will require for combat and noncombat operations in the next 20 to 30 years.
Aug 29, 2006
Report
Leveraging America’s Aircraft Carrier Capabilities: Exploring New Combat and Noncombat Roles and Missions for the U.S. Carrier Fleet
Using two Concept Options Groups, explores possible nontraditional combat and noncombat roles for aircraft carriers.
Apr 28, 2006
Report
Assessment of Navy Heavy-Lift Aircraft Options
Helicopters are valuable for carrying personnel and heavy cargo, including vehicles. Would one that could carry much more--up to 20 tons--be needed, usable, affordable, and survivable?
Jul 25, 2005
Report
A Preliminary Investigation of Ship Acquisition Options for Joint Forcible Entry Operations
Describes the global environment in which joint forcible entry operations might occur and the role of naval power in that environment.
Mar 22, 2005
Report
Network-Based Operations for the Swedish Defence Forces: An Assessment Methodology
Presents a methodology for helping the Swedish Ministry of Defence assess the costs and benefits of architectures for network-based operations as the Swedish Defence Forces are reoriented to a wider suite of operations than homeland defence, including operations far from Sweden.
Dec 13, 2004
Report
The Right Stuff: Defense Planning Challenges for A New Century
Examines defense planning in the light of the post-Cold War security environment.
2004
Report
Alternative Futures and Their Implications for Army Modernization
Develops a range of possible futures and discusses their implications for Army modernization planning.
2003
Report
The U.S. Army and the New National Security Strategy
How should the Army transform to meet the new strategic challenges?
2003
Report
Disjointed War: Military Operations in Kosovo, 1999
An examination of the 1999 conflict in Kosovo, with a focus on joint military operations.
May 18, 2002
Report
Exploring Advanced Technologies for the Future Combat Systems Program
This report summarizes the research findings of a short-time-frame study that explored a range of advanced technologies for potential contribution to the Future Combat Systems program.
2002
Report
Analysis of Air-Based Mechanization and Vertical Envelopment Concepts and Technologies
This documented briefing explores and assesses the Army's ability to insert mechanized forces in enemy-controlled terrain.
2002
Research Brief
Improving Joint Operations: Lessons from Kosovo, 1999
The problems of Operation Allied Force provide a rich source of lessons for future military operations, as discussed in a new RAND report, Disjointed War: Military Operations in Kosovo, 1999.
2002
Report
Lightning Over Water: Sharpening America's Light Forces for Rapid-Reaction Missions — Executive Summary
executive summary synthesizes research drawn from numerous studies conducted by the authors in the past few years on the topic of improving light air-deployable forces.
2001
Report
Issues and Insights from the Army Technology Seminar Game
The Army's Spring 1998 Technology Seminar Game was designed to advance the Army After Next (AAN) process by bringing together military operators and civilian scientists and technologists to examine future force development issues.
2001
Report
A Report on the Army Transformation Wargame 2000
Presents RAND's analysis of Army Transformation Wargame (ATWG) 2000, identifying its issues and exploring implications of them.
2001
Report
The Future of Warfare: Issues from the 1999 Army After Next Study Cycle
Discuss issues that emerged from the games on Army Special Operations, Army Medical Department, Information Operations, Space, Force Projection, National Security, Campaign Planning, Pre-Assessment, and the Spring Wargame.
2001
Report
Measures of Effectiveness for the Information-Age Army
This research demonstrates that development of measures of effectiveness (MOEs) is feasible, not only for combat operations but for stability operations as well.
2001
Report
Lightning Over Water: Sharpening America's Light Forces for Rapid Reaction Missions
This book represents a compilation of research drawn from numerous studies conducted in the past few years on the topic of improving light air-deployable forces. The focus is on new operational concepts along with the underlyingenabling technologies.
2000
Research Brief
Lightning Over Water: Assessing Options for Future Light Forces
As these conflicts and crises continue to grow in number and frequency, there is a growing need for a quickly deploying, rapid-reaction capability -- in particular, U.S. Army light forces -- to directly respond to, and intervene within.
2000
Report
Issues Raised During the Army After Next Spring Wargame
Summarizes issues generated during the Army After Next (AAN) Spring Wargame 1998.
1999
Report
The Army After Next: Exploring New Concepts and Technologies for the Light Battle Force
This document summarizes the initial year's work on the project "Assessing Advanced Concepts and Technologies for the Army After Next (AAN)."
1999
Report
Joint Operations Superiority in the 21st Century: Analytic Support to the 1998 Defense Science Board
Joint Operations Superiority in the 21st Century: Analytic Support to the 1998 Defense Science Board
1999
Report
Assessment of Crusader: The Army's Next Self-Propelled Howitzer and Resupply Vehicle
The research explores the utility of the Crusader system, a next-generation self-propelled howitzer and resupply vehicle, to the future of the U.S. Army, including both the near-term Army XXI and the farther-term Army After Next.
1998
Report
Denying the Widow-Maker: Summary of Proceedings of the RAND-DBBL Conference on Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain
This document is a summary of the two-day military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) conference held at the RAND Washington, D.C. office on February 24-25, 1998.
1998
Journal Article
The Gallant Stand of the U.S. Army's 'Concrete Battleship'
Recounts the story of Fort Drum, the heavily secured island fortress known as The Concrete Battleship. It was occupied by the Japanese in 1942 and later recaptured by the U.S.
Mar 1, 1986