Interagency Operation in question notes about the MD33-M-12 manual (2017)

Abstract

Starting from a qualitative approach and using the literature review and document analysis as a source of data collection, the article analyzes the 2nd edition of the manual “Operações Interagências”, MD33-M-12, edited by the Brazilian Ministry of Defense in 2017, shortly after the major sporting events held in the country, when there was a possibility that the publication would incorporate the main teachings of the interagency work carried out in the period. This analysis made it possible to identify that this possibility was not confirmed, since the 2017 version is practically similar to the manual edited in 2012, including only minor changes in form, without showing noticeable evolution in doctrinal terms, with a planning methodology similar to that adopted by the Armed Forces. We identified a lack of a planning methodology specific to interagency operations, which imposes limits on the participation of agencies in the process, a protagonism centered on the Armed Forces’ performance to the detriment of the participation of other agencies, and a military culture that makes it difficult for all agencies to participate in the planning stages. We argue that it is possible to use a more flexible and adaptive methodology on a large scale in this type of operation carried out by other State agencies.