What key legislative act supports joint operations in the U.S. military?

The Goldwater-Nichols Act is a key legislative act that significantly shapes the joint operations of the U.S. military. Enacted in 1986, this act was designed to improve the effectiveness of the U.S. military's ability to conduct joint operations among the different branches of the armed forces. It established the principle of unified command and clarified the roles and responsibilities of the various service chiefs and combatant commanders.

One of the most important aspects of the Goldwater-Nichols Act is that it emphasized the importance of joint training and education for military personnel, thereby fostering collaboration and interoperability among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. By mandating that the services work more closely together and integrating their capabilities, the act has improved the military's operational effectiveness in combined scenarios.

In contrast, the National Security Act primarily focuses on reorganizing the military and intelligence community, while the Defense Authorization Act deals with budgetary and policy provisions for defense spending. The Armed Forces Committee Act does not exist as a recognized piece of legislation contributing specifically to joint operations. This focus on collaboration and unity within the armed services underlines why the Goldwater-Nichols Act is seen as foundational for joint operations.