This study outlines the influences that the outcome of the Vietnam War had on American foreign policy in another insurgency situation in the Republic of El Salvador during the formative years of that policy, 1979 to 1984. The presented concept...
This monograph is about theory and the use of theory to develop doctrine. In light of the dramatic capabilities envisioned for the “Objective Force,” the organized U.S. military mechanism of physical coercion, and the dynamic operational...
This monograph asserts that phasing as a tenet of operational art has outlived its usefulness. Phasing as a component of campaign design worked effectively in the industrial age of symmetrical opponents, but has lost its usefulness in the...
Strategic communication is a relatively new and currently evolving concept in the U.S. military, and it is currently not widely understood what role, if any, leaders at the tactical level have in it. In order to determine what role tactical-level...
The 1986 edition of Field Manual (FM) 100-5, Operations, introduced a theoretical basis to AirLand Battle, the U.S. Army's basic fighting doctrine. One of the new concepts introduced into the doctrine was 'center of gravity.' The manual indicated...
In 1986, the US Army published a revision of FM 100-5, Operations, that, for the first time, clearly linked military theory and its doctrine. In this manual, a term defined by Carl von Clausewitz as the hub of all power and movement, the center of...
Several theoretical and doctrinal problems limit current US Army understanding of conflict, war and operational art. Those problems include confusion between conflict and war, ambiguity of theoretical terms such as "center of gravity" or...
In many respects, America’s military, economic and diplomatic situation in 1991 resembled Great Britain’s in 1919. Rather than reduce global commitments, the end of the Cold War saw an increase in a number of global interests, many which would...
Analysts and analysts alone create intelligence. Although technological marvels assist analysts by cataloging and presenting data, information and evidence in new ways, they do not do analysis. To be most effective, analysts need an overarching,...
Using Force XXI operational concepts, the US Military expects to overwhelm both high and low technology opponents. If history is any indication, however, apparently low tech forces have the potential at least to tie 'modern,' conventional...
This student monograph traces the early writings of B. H. Liddell Hart in order to establish a basis for evaluating his continuing relevance as theorist of war. Particular attention is given to that dimension of war now called the operational...
Based upon observations from the Combat Training Centers, military staffs are ineffective at tactical war gaming and thus the war game rarely contributes to effective decision-making. While war gaming is generally recognized as a weakness among...
This paper analyzes the relevancy of the terms center of gravity and decisive points at the operational level of war in communist insurgencies. It begins by proposing acceptable meanings for the terms center of gravity, decisive points, subversion,...
This paper will describe the significant events and experiences that shaped the Powell Doctrine and affected the manner in which General Colin Powell applied those principles during his tenure as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)...
This monograph directly addresses design, and incorporates elements of Engineering Design Theory to the codified, social act of campaign creation using art, science, and craft. The monograph gives a definition of design and discusses the...
The problem is, valid but incompatible service theories of operational warfighting inhibit rather than promote jointness. One cause of this problem is the joint definition of the center of gravity, which is vague and ineffective. This monograph...
Certain characteristics of the Information Age both pressure and tempt commanders, in powerful ways, to exert greater control over military forces during the execution of operations. As examples, real-time communications with political leaders and...
This study assesses the validity and general utility of selected instances of physical metaphor in tactical military theory and doctrine. An analytical framework is built upon the curriculum of the Advanced Military Studies Program, US Army Command...
This monograph discusses the applicability of theoretical concepts of center of gravity and decisive point as interpreted in current US Army and Joint doctrine to peacekeeping operations. Center of gravity and decisive points are critical tools for...
This monograph examines whether introducing women into combat units would negatively affect unit cohesion and subsequently combat effectiveness. It describes the physical, cybernetic, and moral domains of war and shows the relevance of the moral...