Objective
"Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective."
At its most basic level, every operation must contribute to the strategic aim of the war. This means that at the beginning of every operation, its objective must be clearly defined, although this can be difficult. In the end, the purpose of war is to defeat the enemy's armed forces as well as its will to fight.
Any action that does not contribute to the overall objective must be avoided, and objectives must contribute to the operation directly, quickly, and economically. Thus, the basis of all subordinate plans results from commanders designating physical objectives like enemy force, decisive or dominating terrain, a juncture of lines of communication (LOCs) or any other vital area. Intermediate objectives use the analytical framework of mission, enemy, troops, terrain, and time available (METT-T) to carry out plans.
The Vietnam War was NOT a good example of clearly defined or decisive objective, since many civilians and soldiers were unclear on the purpose of the war.
Any action that does not contribute to the overall objective must be avoided, and objectives must contribute to the operation directly, quickly, and economically. Thus, the basis of all subordinate plans results from commanders designating physical objectives like enemy force, decisive or dominating terrain, a juncture of lines of communication (LOCs) or any other vital area. Intermediate objectives use the analytical framework of mission, enemy, troops, terrain, and time available (METT-T) to carry out plans.
The Vietnam War was NOT a good example of clearly defined or decisive objective, since many civilians and soldiers were unclear on the purpose of the war.
Offensive
"Seize, retain, and exploit the objective."
The best way to complete an objective is offensive action. The military uses offensive action to seize and hold initiative while maintaining free action and achieving decisive results. This is a fundamental truth across every level of war.
Defensive should be adopted by commanders only as a temporary means and they should take every opportunity to seize the initiative. All defensive operations must have the spirit of offense, because offense forces the enemy to react rather than act.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was an offensive, and it was successful in that it forced the US military to react by declaring war on Japan.
Defensive should be adopted by commanders only as a temporary means and they should take every opportunity to seize the initiative. All defensive operations must have the spirit of offense, because offense forces the enemy to react rather than act.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was an offensive, and it was successful in that it forced the US military to react by declaring war on Japan.
Mass
"Mass the effects of overwhelming combat power at the decisive place and time."
Achieving mass is the gathering of forces in a decisive form to combat the enemy in a short period of time. Mass is "to hit the enemy with a closed fist, not poke at him with fingers of an open hand." The enemy should be smashed rather than stung, and there must be staying power to maintenance of mass is key. The proper combination of combat power with application of other principles of war will achieve this goal. Massing rather than concentrating forces can limit exposure to enemy fire as well as give the upper hand to smaller forces.
In the storming of Normandy beach, forces appropriately used mass by taking forces from other locations to three locations on the beach to overwhelm the enemy.
In the storming of Normandy beach, forces appropriately used mass by taking forces from other locations to three locations on the beach to overwhelm the enemy.
Economy of Force
"Employ all combat power available in the most effective way possible; allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts."
Careful employment and distribution of forces is the main goal of economy of force. All parts should have a purpose and should act when the time comes. Distribution of forces is necessary for defense, deception, etc. and is used to achieve mass elsewhere when needed.
The most basic economy of force is the breakdown of soldiers into various categories, including special ops, medical, intelligence, etc.
The most basic economy of force is the breakdown of soldiers into various categories, including special ops, medical, intelligence, etc.
Maneuver
"Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power."
Forces should be moved in relation to enemy to attain and keep positional advantage. This advantage unbalances the enemy and helps keep troops safe. It poses problems for the enemy by making actions ineffective and reduces vulnerability of the comrades.
Application of maneuver requires careful thought, planning, operating, and organizing. Points of main effort will need to be designated then shifted, and will require proper application of mass and economy of force. Maneuver is a dynamic that thwarts predictability and helps the commander determine where and when to fight.
Trench warfare in WWII was an excellent example of maneuver because the enemy was forced to change to untraditional forms of fighting.
Application of maneuver requires careful thought, planning, operating, and organizing. Points of main effort will need to be designated then shifted, and will require proper application of mass and economy of force. Maneuver is a dynamic that thwarts predictability and helps the commander determine where and when to fight.
Trench warfare in WWII was an excellent example of maneuver because the enemy was forced to change to untraditional forms of fighting.
Unity of Command
"For every objective, seek unity of command and unity of effort."
Unity of command and effort are required to mass combat power toward a common objective. A single commander with responsibility and authority is required to direct forces toward a unified purpose.
Unity of effort requires all forces, regardless of command structure, to work toward the common objective. Operations will be united by intent and purpose if not by command. Unity of purpose requires unity of each of the other concepts. Although unity of command may be impossible in some cases, unity of effort coordination through cooperation and common interests is a key complement to unity of command.
Unity of command is shown through this military's use of many different types of officers. Forces are broken down into very small, specialized units but all come together under a common objective.
Unity of effort requires all forces, regardless of command structure, to work toward the common objective. Operations will be united by intent and purpose if not by command. Unity of purpose requires unity of each of the other concepts. Although unity of command may be impossible in some cases, unity of effort coordination through cooperation and common interests is a key complement to unity of command.
Unity of command is shown through this military's use of many different types of officers. Forces are broken down into very small, specialized units but all come together under a common objective.
Security
"Never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage."
Freedom of action is enhanced through security by reducing vulnerability to hostile actions, influence, or surprise. Measures taken by the commander, such as knowledge and understanding of enemy strategy, tactics, doctrine, and staff planning contribute to security. Commanders cannot be overly cautious of inherent risk. Friendly combat power is increased when commanders take necessary, calculated risks in order to defeat the enemy and protect forces.
The US military has a reputation of security by always fighting on enemy soil. By protecting the country from home, the US becomes less vulnerable.
The US military has a reputation of security by always fighting on enemy soil. By protecting the country from home, the US becomes less vulnerable.
Surprise
"Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared."
Surprise shifts the balance of combat power by allowing forces to achieve success far out of proportion to the effort used. Although advances in technology make surprise much more difficult, the enemy does not have to be caught completely off guard in order for surprise to be effective. The enemy needs only to learn of an operation too late to attack effectively. Factors like speed, effective intelligence, deception, application of unexpected power, operations security (OPSEC), and variations of tactics and methods contribute to surprise. Deception improves probability, while surprise can come in many forms including tempo, size of force, direction and location, and timing.
Americans won a decisive victory over the Japanese at the Battle of Midway in WWII through the use of the element of surprise.
Americans won a decisive victory over the Japanese at the Battle of Midway in WWII through the use of the element of surprise.
Simplicity
"Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders to ensure thorough understanding."
War is simple, but simple things are difficult. Simple plans and clear orders reduce confusion and misunderstanding among forces, allowing easy execution. When other factors are equal, the simplest plan is preferred. Simplicity is especially necessary when forces are tired.
Mass produced weapons in WWII needed less maintenance and were less sensitive to technical failures, thus simplifying weapon systems. (German tanks vs. American mass produced tanks)
Mass produced weapons in WWII needed less maintenance and were less sensitive to technical failures, thus simplifying weapon systems. (German tanks vs. American mass produced tanks)