This monograph examines the role of the operational level of war to translate strategic objectives into tactical missions. Evidence exists in both the joint and specific service doctrines which suggests that there is a lack of commonality in the...
Bulk petroleum products are vital to every facet of U.S. Army operations. Even the smallest and "lightest" units rely on the Army's Combat Service Support system to provide them with the fuels needed for ground mobility and CSS operations. What...
This monograph discusses the utility of strategic satellite reconnaissance in terms of its capability to satisfy our intelligence requirements in Europe. Although the context is present day Europe, it is not tied to ongoing Conventional Forces...
With the current changes in world structure, alliances and the reduction in the size of the armed forces of the U.S., operational art and AirLand Battle become increasingly important as concepts. FM 100-5, Operations, published in 1986, establishes...
This monograph analyzes a recent study by the Air force to establish an Air Battle Force (ABF) for projecting tactical airpower in peacetime contingency operations. This ABF would be a single unit, trained and equipped with several different types...
Operational maneuver is a key element of operational art and AirLand Battle Doctrine. Some prominent theorists have argued that our modern mechanized forces do not possess the requisite characteristics for modern operational maneuver. Brigadier...
This monograph examines time estimation at the operational level of war. The study begins with a review of Classical Military Theory to identify the theoretical basis for time estimation. It next examines the Theory of Operational Art to discern...
A number of dramatic international events have significantly altered the strategic environment facing the U.S. These changes have led to a shift in operational focus away from Europe to a wider range of contingencies in other areas of the world....
The tension between the operational functions, maneuver and sustainment, produces an interesting dynamic. As much as some may insist, maneuver at the operational level of war cannot be completely addressed without a thorough discussion of...
"Since 1978, the United States has been committed to the reinforcement of NATO, within ten days of a decision to do so, with six additional Army divisions, sixty additional tactical squadrons, and one Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), plus...
This monograph answers the question "What is the operational significance of the employment of fortified regions for NATO and the United States?". The background for the reintroduction of fortified regions into the Soviet force structure of the...
This monograph examines how AirLand Battle doctrine defines and utilizes the term initiative, and how initiative can be achieved at the operational level of war. It concludes that, while doctrine defines initiative as “setting the terms of battle...
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?"...
U.S. Army doctrine considers operational maneuver essential to fighting outnumbered and winning. With an even smaller force in the future, operational maneuver will be more important to the Army’s success. Because of this, understanding of all...
This monograph examines the problem of developing priority intelligence requirements at the operational level. Tactical and strategic priority intelligence requirements have been clearly defined and are taught throughout the military education...
This study is about intelligence at the operational level. Specifically, it discusses intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) and its relationship with campaign planning. At the tactical level of war, the Army feels rather comfortable...
This monograph examines operational exploitation and questions if enough guidance is available to give a commander the detail required to execute such an operation. Field Manual 100-5, Operations, requires commanders to plan exploitation as an...
The principles of war have been a part of US Army doctrine since 1949. In 1989 with the publication of JCS Pub. 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations, the principles of war also became part of Joint doctrine. However, other than their reference in JCS...
History is replete with evidence of how change in political, economic, and social conditions forge alterations in a nation's military posture. Today, the forces of change are rampant, especially in NATO's Central European theater. Recent...
This monograph examines the intelligence requirements of logistics planners at the operational level of war. Specifically, it analyzes what information is available to sustainment planners, the form of that information as it is used in the staff...