...Came after Grenada. Yes we took that tiny island in 4 days in 1983, but it was a mess. Navy ships providing naval gunfire and Marine, Air Force, and Navy fighter-bomber support aircraft mistakenly killed American ground forces due to differences in charts and location coordinates, data, and methods of calling for fire support. Communications between services were also not compatible and hindered the coordination of operations.

The Department of Defense recognized a need for improved communications and coordination among the branches of the American military. Congress investigated many of the problems and passed the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 This act reworked the command structure of the military, making the most sweeping changes to the Department of Defense since it was established in 1947. It increased the power of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and advanced the concept of unified joint forces organized under one command.