Is the nature of winning at the operational level different than that of the tactical level? The author explores this question and determines that there is a fundamental difference that cannot be explained by the combat power model presented in FM...
This monograph examines the current state of operational level intelligence. The research question to be answered is: "Is current doctrine on operational level intelligence adequate for the development of a joint theater intelligence architecture?"...
First introduced into U.S. Army doctrine in 1982, the operational level of war developed to remove politics from an inherently political process. American writers absorbed Soviet writing on the subject and translated it into existing doctrine...
Since the dawn of the age of science, man has attempted to find in technology simple solutions to the difficult problems of warfare. Modern developments in information technology continue this history, offering to provide ways to simplify some...
This monograph focuses on the geographic component of the contemporary intelligence process at the operational level of war. The concept of coup d'oeil, the intellectual capacity of military commanders to evaluate geography and apply that...
The Department of Defense (DoD) has long recognized the need for interservice cooperation in warfighting and has been slowly evolving to structure, train, and equip the forces to facilitate this joint cooperation. Today, joint cooperation is even...
Contrary to Army promotion policies and practices today, all types of generalship are not the same. Instead, there are different types of generalship required for different levels of command and specialized functions. Unfortunately, the Army's...
The introduction of the operational art into U.S. Army doctrine is part of a significant chapter in U.S. Army history. It has been eight years since this operational level concept was introduced in the 1982 edition of FM 100-5 Operations. The first...
Warfare in the modem era will be joint. However, the Armed Forces have been slow to make requisite changes. The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 forced change by legislating reforms and ending the internecine...
How can the Army train better at the operational level? This question addresses a lack of training at the operational level that has only become apparent in recent years. One of the reasons for such a shortcoming has been the reluctance of the US...
This is a theoretical paper on campaign planning. The paper examines the processes and principles involved in campaign plan formulation and modification within the context of all three levels of war. A series of theoretical models are used to...
The speed, complexity, and data base of military operations require that military commanders be able to deal with large amounts of information. The ability to act quickly is directly related to the capability to process this flood of information....
Operations in Afghanistan in 2001-2002 revealed an aspect of military operations that is creating new conditions for operational commanders of land forces in combat theaters. Other United States government agencies are engaged in the same area of...
This monograph considers whether operational art and the operational level of conflict are viable constructs for Canada or other middle-powers. Like most of America's close allies, Canada quickly followed the US lead by adopting these operational...
Synchronization, "the ability to focus resources and activities in time and space to produce maximum relative combat power at the decisive point," is a tenet of US Army doctrine. This monograph reviews the concept of synchronization at the...
In March 1999, military planners considered contingencies in event that the air campaign to remove Serbian forces from Kosovo during Operation Allied Force was not successful. One of those contingencies was a ground offensive, which presented...
This monograph will examine the presentation of tactical doctrine in FM 100-5. The United States Army is currently revising FM 100-5, Operations, its "keystone warfighting manual." It is intended to serve as the "Army's principle tool of...
This paper addresses the current misunderstanding surrounding the term known as strategic maneuver. Strategic maneuver is considered many different things to include: preclusion operations, moving units from theater to theater, and the use of...
The United States' military power and capabilities are singularly enabled by unequaled sustainment capability and reach of our transportation and logistics systems. The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are highlighting an emerging trend in...