This study quantifies the dynamics of actuation for the temporally forced, round gas jet injected transversely into a crossflow, and incorporates these dynamics in developing a methodology for open loop jet control. A linear model for the dynamics of the forced jet actuation is used to develop a dynamic compensator for the actuator. When the compensator is applied, it allows the jet to be forced in a manner which results in a more precisely prescribed, temporally varying exit velocity, the RMS amplitude of perturbation of which can be made independent of the forcing frequency. Use of the compensator allows straightforward comparisons among different conditions for jet excitation. Clear identification can be made of specific excitation frequencies and characteristic temporal pulse widths which optimize transverse jet penetration and spread through the formation of distinct, deeply penetrating vortex structures.