Stability operations are presently defined as “an overarching term encompassing various military missions, tasks, and activities conducted outside the continental United States [OCONUS] in coordination with other instruments of national power to maintain or re-establish a safe and secure environment, provide essential governmental services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief” (Joint Publication [JP] 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms). Stability operations capitalize on coordination, cooperation, and integration among military and nonmilitary organizations. These complementary civil-military efforts aim to strengthen legitimate governance, restore or maintain the rule of law, support economic and infrastructure development, and foster a sense of national unity that enable the host government to assume responsibility for civil administration.

This publication has been edited to ensure gender neutrality of all applicable and appropriate terms, except those terms governed by higher authority. No other content has been affected.