Warfighting

Capt CorbeillMarine Officer Instructor

NS321 Evolution of Warfare

NS321- Warfighting

Reference

NS321- Warfighting

Introduction

“Very simply, this publication describes the philosophy which distinguishes the U.S. Marine Corps. The thoughts contained here are not merely guidance for action in combat but a way of thinking. This publication provides the authoritative basis for how we fight and how we prepare to fight. This book contains no specific techniques or procedures for conduct. Rather, it provides broad guidance in the form of concepts and values. It requires judgment in application.”

-- Gen C. C. Krulak, USMC

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“Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.”

-- Winston Churchill

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Chapter One-The Nature of War

“In war the chief incalculable is the human will.” --B.H. LIDELL HART

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What is war?

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Definition of War

Defined:– “War is a violent clash of interests between or among

organized groups characterized by the use of military force.”

Essence– “The essence of war is a violent struggle between two

hostile, independent, and irreconcilable wills, each trying to impose itself on the other.”

Objective- Impose our will on the enemy

Remember, the enemy gets a vote!

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What are some Attributes of War?

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Attributes of War

FrictionUncertaintyFluidityDisorderComplexity

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Attributes of War

What is Friction?UncertaintyFluidityDisorderComplexity

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Friction

“The force that makes the apparently easy so difficult”

Clausewitz

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What are some sources of Friction?

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Sources of Friction

Mental- indecision over a course of action Physical

– Effective enemy fire – Terrain obstacles

External– Imposed by enemy action– Terrain, weather, or mere chance.

Self-induced– Lack of a clearly defined goals– Lack of coordination– Unclear or complicated plans– Complicated technologies

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How can we overcome friction?

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Overcoming Friction

WillPersistent strength of mind and spiritUnderstanding the effects of frictionRealistic training

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Attributes of War

Friction

What is Uncertainty? Fluidity Disorder Complexity

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Uncertainty

The “fog of war”

“All actions in war will be based on incomplete, inaccurate, or even contradictory information.”

WWI, 1918

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Uncertainty

Involves risk– Must be able to estimate and accept risk– “Acceptance of risk does not equate to the imprudent

willingness to gamble the entire likelihood of success on a single improbable event”

Involves chance– Unforeseeable events that we have no control over– Produces psychological friction– Favors neither side

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How do we overcome uncertainty?

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Overcoming Uncertainty

Judgment– What is possible and what is not? – What is probable and what is not?– One of the main reasons we study military

history.

Learn to use it/minimize its impact– Simple, flexible plans w/ contingencies– Foster initiative among subordinates– Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

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Attributes of War

Friction Uncertainty

What is Fluidity? Disorder Complexity

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Fluidity

The constant flow of actions and counter-actions

Requires flexibility on our partSuccess depends on ability to adapt

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Attributes of War

Friction Uncertainty Fluidity

What is Disorder? Complexity

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Disorder

In an environment of friction, uncertainty, and fluidity, war gravitates naturally toward disorder

The trend is grow increasingly disordered over time

“We must not only be able to fight effectively in the face of disorder, we should seek to generate disorder and use it as a weapon against our opponent.”

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Attributes of War

FrictionUncertaintyFluidityDisorder

What is Complexity?

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Complexity

War is inherently complexMust deal with:

– Friction– Uncertainty– Fluidity– Disorder– The human dimension– Ever changing situations

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Attributes of War

FrictionUncertaintyFluidityDisorderComplexity

Questions?

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Why do we care about the Attributes of War?

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Importance of Understanding the Attributes of War

Be able to recognize them in order to…– Overcome the effects on friendly forces– Exploit the effects on enemy forces

• Creates opportunities

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The Human Dimension

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Human Dimension

Encompasses all of the failings and achievements of man– Fear, Violence, Danger– Physical, Moral, Mental forces

“Human will, instilled through leadership, is the driving force of all action in war.”

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How do we overcome fear?

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Overcoming Fear

Leaders must foster the courage to overcome fear– Courage is not the absence of fear; it

is the strength to overcome fear

Realistic training Strong leadership which earns

the respect and trust of subordinates

Unit cohesion and esprit de corps– “A Marine’s unwillingness to violate

the respect and trust of peers can overcome personal fear.”

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Evolution of War

The nature of war is constant; however, the means and methods evolve continuously

“The belligerent who first exploits a development in the art and science of war gains a significant advantage.”

British Mark V, WWIMax Speed- 4 mph

U.S. M1A2 TankMax Speed- 42 mph

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War as Art or Science?

Science-– Effects of weapons– Laws of Ballistics– Weaponry

– Mechanics

Art– Maneuver– Employment of forces– Human factors

• Judgement

• Experience

“We thus conclude that the conduct of war is fundamentally a dynamic process of human competition requiring both the knowledge of science and the creativity of art but driven ultimately by the power of human will.” p. 19

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Questions?

WWI recruiting poster

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Summary- Chap 1

Attributes of War– Friction– Uncertainty-“Fog of war”– Fluidity– Disorder– Complexity

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Chapter Two-The Theory of War

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War as an Act of Policy

War is an extension, and often last resort, of a nation’s politics, policy, and diplomacy

“War must serve policy”

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Spectrum of Conflict

Small WarsDesert Storm

MOOTWLebanon NEO

General WarWWII

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What are the levels of war?

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Tactical

Levels of War

Tactical

Strategic

Operational

Strategic- application of military force to secure policy objectives.

Operational- The level of war at which campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, and sustained to accomplish strategic objectives within theaters or areas of operations.

Tactical- The level of war at which battles and engagements are planned and executed to accomplish military objectives assigned to tactical units or task forces.

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Strategic Level of War

Highest level of war Involves establishing goals, assigning

forces, providing assets and imposing conditions on the use of force in theaters, in order to win wars– National Strategy- coordinates and focuses all

the elements of national power to attain the policy objectives.

– Military Strategy- the application of military force to secure policy objectives.

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Operational Level of War

Links the strategic and tactical levels of war – Use of tactics to attain strategic objectives

“Deciding when, where, and under what conditions to engage (or refuse/avoid the enemy in battle”

“The art and science of winning campaigns”

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Tactical Level of War

The lowest level of war The use of maneuver and firepower to

defeat the enemy at a particular time and place

Winning battles!

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Initiative and Response

Initiative– Dictate the terms of battle to the enemy– Force the enemy to respond/react to your

actions“Only through the initiative can we

ultimately impose our will on the enemy”

Response-– If compelled to respond, focus on seizing the

initiative from the opponent

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Which is better- Offense or Defense?

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Which is better- Offense or Defense?

Most important answer at TBS,

“It’s situationally dependent”

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Offense

Offense = striking power “The most obvious way to seize and

maintain the initiative is to strike first and keep striking.”

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Defense

Defense = resisting power However, may be another way of striking

at the enemy– “A shield made up of well-directed blows”

-Clausewitz

Culminating Point– point where we can no longer sustain the attack and must revert to the defense

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What are types of warfare?

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Styles of Warfare

Attrition: Pursing victory through the total destruction of the enemy’s personnel and materials (i.e. trench warfare in WWI).

Maneuver: Pursing victory by circumventing the strength of the enemy to attack it from a more advantageous position

Attrition Warfare

Maneuver Warfare

Warfare typically lies somewhere in between the two extremes

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Maneuver Warfare

Incapacitate the enemy systemicallyApplication of our strength against selected

enemy weakness in order to maximize advantage– Requires the ability to identify and exploit

weaknesses

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What is Combat Power?

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Combat Power

Total destructive force that can be brought to bear on our enemy at a given time.

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Combat Power

Total destructive force that can be brought to bear on our enemy at a given time.– Tangibles

• Maneuver, tempo, or surprise; the advantages conferred by geography or climate

– Intangibles• Morale, fighting spirit, perseverance, or the effects

of leadership

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Combat Power

AC-130H Spectre

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How do we generate

Combat Power?

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Generating Combat Power

SpeedFocusSurpriseBoldness

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Generating Combat Power

What is Speed? Focus Surprise Boldness

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Speed

Speed over time = tempo– The consistent ability to operate quickly

Speed is a weapon– Superior speed allows us to seize the initiative and

dictate the terms of action

Speed provides security

“Speed is necessary in order to concentrate superior strength at the decisive time and place.”

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Generating Combat Power

Speed

What is Focus? Surprise Boldness

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Focus

Focus- The convergence of effects in time and space on some objective.

“The generation of superior combat power at a particular time and place”

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Generating Combat Power

Speed Focus

What is Surprise? Boldness

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Surprise

Surprise– “disorienting the enemy through unexpected events” to increase combat power

“We achieve surprise by striking the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which the enemy is unprepared.”

Dec 7, 1941Victory through surprise…

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How do we achieve Surprise?

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Achieving Surprise

Deception- convince the enemy we are going to do something other than what we are really going to do

Ambiguity- to act in such a way that the enemy does not know what to expect.

Stealth- to deny the enemy any knowledge of impending action

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Generating Combat Power

SpeedFocusSurprise

What is Boldness?

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Boldness

Boldness– “unhesitatingly exploiting the natural uncertainty of war to pursue major results rather than marginal ones”– Boldness rules over timidity; but it is not reckless.

Allows you to willingly accept risk to achieve great potential gain.

“Boldness can lend wings to intellect and insight; the stronger the wings then, the greater the heights, the wider the view, and the better the results; though a greater prize, of course involves greater risks.”

-- Clausewitz, On War

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Centers of Gravity &Critical Vulnerabilities

Centers of Gravity – Critical factors that the enemy cannot do without, and if eliminated, will cause the enemy to submit to your will.

Critical Vulnerabilities – “A vulnerability that, if exploited, will do the most significant damage to the enemy’s ability to resist us.”

“A critical vulnerability is a pathway to attacking a center of gravity.”

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Critical Vulnerability

…we should focus our efforts against a critical vulnerability, a vulnerability that, if exploited,will do the most significant damage to the enemy’s ability to resist us.

Mogadishu Oct 1993Beirut Oct 1982

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Center of Gravity / Critical Vulnerability Prac App

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What is the Empire’s Center of Gravity?

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Empire’s Center of Gravity

Death Star

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What is its Critical Vulnerability?

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What is its Critical Vulnerability?

Two meter, thermal exhaust port

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Creating and Exploiting Opportunity

Opportunities will evolve through the actions of both sides on the battlefield.

As opportunities present themselves, commanders that can identify and take advantage of these opportunities through speed, flexibility, boldness, and initiative, will be able to generate decisive results.

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Questions?

WWI recruiting poster

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Summary- Chap 2

Levels of warGenerating Combat Power

– Speed, Focus, Surprise, Boldness

Center of Gravity / Critical Vulnerability

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Chapter Three-Preparing for War

Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.Let him who desires peace, prepare for war.

Vegetius

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Doctrine

A common way of thinking, a common language

Provides the basis for harmonious actions and mutual understanding

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How is the USMC organized to fight?

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Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF)

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MAGTF Characteristics

Self-sustaining- no need for preexisting infrastructure; they bring their own

Task organized to accomplish specific missions with maximum flexibility

Can integrate with other MAGTFs and Marine forces to sequentially build in size and capability

Capable of forcible entry Strategically mobile via airlift, sealift, or

amphibious shipping

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What are the four components of a MAGTF?

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Command Element

(CE)

Ground Combat Element

(GCE)

Aviation Combat Element

(ACE)

Combat Service Support Element

(CSSE)

MAGTF Components

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Command Element

Headquarters- directs the other elements

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Ground Combat Element

The “pointy end” of the spearInfantry supported by:

– Armor (tanks)– Artillery

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Air Combat Element

“Death from above” Includes:

– Aircraft– Pilots– Maintenance personnel– Aviation command and control

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Combat Service Support Element

Support units for the MAGTF:– Communications– Combat engineers– Motor transport– Medical– Supply

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Professionalism

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Professionalism

“As military professionals charged with the defense of the Nation, Marine leaders must be true experts in the conduct of war.”

Officers are expected to have:– A solid foundation in military theory – Knowledge of military history and the timeless

lessons to be gained from it

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Professionalism

Maneuver warfare requires intelligent leaders with a penchant for boldness and initiative; a bias for action

Errors stemming from overboldness are a necessary part of learning– Encourage both traits in spite of mistakes

Crush errors of inaction or timidity

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Professionalism-Tactical Proficiency?

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Professionalism

Trust is an essential trait among leaders– Abilities of their subordinates – Competence and support of their seniors

Trust must be earnedTrust is a product of confidence earned

from demonstrated professional skill

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What happens when trust is lost…

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Professionalism

Encourage candor among subordinates

Subordinates should consider it their duty to provide honest, professional opinions even if it differs from the senior’s opinions– However, once the decision has been reached,

juniors then must support it as if it were their own• “Argue to the point of decision. After that, you’re just bitchin’”

“Yes-men” will not be tolerated

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Professionalism- Honest, professional opinion?

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Training

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Training

Train personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful on the battlefield

Develop leadership and tactical thinking and decision-making

Should simulate the conditions of war – Introduce friction in the form of uncertainty, stress,

disorder, and opposing wills

Use opposed, free-play exercises to practice the art of war

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Realistic Training?

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Professional Military Education

Designed to develop creative, thinking leaders

A leader’s career should be viewed as a continuous, progressive process of development

“The mind is an officer’s principal weapon”

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Professional Military Education

The early stages of a leader’s career are an apprenticeship– A Marine’s goal at this stage is to become an expert

in the tactical level of war

Every Marine has an individual responsibility to study the profession of arms– “A leader without either interest in or knowledge of the

history and theory of warfare is a leader in appearance only.”

Study in the art and science of war is at least equal to maintaining physical condition

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Professional Military Education

Not just about you…– “Commanders should see

the development of their subordinates as a direct reflection on themselves.”

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Conclusion

Two basic military functions:– Waging war and preparing for war

Cannot separate conduct and preparation

“They must be intimately related because failure in preparation leads to disaster on the battlefield.”

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Effective Training?

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Questions?

WWI recruiting poster

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Summary- Chap 3

Elements of professionalism– Lifelong student in the art of war– Tactical proficiency– Command of maneuver warfare concepts

Elements of effective training– Focused on battlefield skills– Develop leadership and tactical thinking and

decision-making– Should simulate the conditions of war – Use opposed, free-play exercises to practice

the art of war

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Chapter Four-The Conduct of War

“There’s only one principle of war and that’s this. Hit theother fellow, as quick as you can, and as hard as you can,where it hurts him most, when he ain’t lookin’!”

—Sir William Slim

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What is Maneuver Warfare?

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Maneuver Warfare

“A warfighting philosophy that seeks to shatter the enemy’s cohesion through a variety of rapid, focused, and unexpected actions which create a turbulent and rapidly deteriorating situation with which the enemy cannot cope.”

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Translation?

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Maneuver Warfare

Taking action to generate and exploit some kind of advantage over the enemy – Psychological, technological, temporal or spatial

Accomplishing our objectives as effectively as possible

“It is through maneuver in all dimensions that an inferior force can achieve decisive superiority at the necessary time and place.”

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Maneuver Warfare

Render the enemy incapable of resisting effectively by shattering his ability to fight as an effective, coordinated whole– Moral, mental, and physical cohesion

“The ultimate goal is panic and paralysis, an enemy who has lost the ability to resist.”

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What does Maneuver Warfare require?

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Requirements of Maneuver

SpeedFocusSurpriseRuthless opportunists

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What type of leaders does Maneuver Warfare require?

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Leaders that Possess:

Ability to cope with uncertaintyFlexibility of mind to deal with fluid and

disorderly situationsWillingness to act with initiative and

boldness

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Maneuver Warfare Leadership Examples

LT Ronald Spiers

VS

LT Norman Dike

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What is the most important consideration?

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Orienting on the Enemy

Focus on the enemy “system” – Knowledge of your enemy, including his

doctrine, weapons, and capabilities is essential to identifying critical vulnerabilities, achieving surprise, and shaping the battlefield

Consider all your actions relative to the enemy… whenever you think of speed and combat power, it is always in relationship to the enemy

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Orienting on the Enemy

Get inside the enemy’s thought process • “Do not assume that every enemy thinks as we do,

fights as we do, or has the same values or objectives.”

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OODA Loop (a.k.a. Boyd’s Loop)

The Time Competitive Decision Cycle:

Timeliness of decisions (especially in the face of uncertainty and disorder) is essential to generating tempo

Col. John Boyd, USAF

Observe

Orient

Decide

Act

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How fast do you need to be?

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How fast do you need to be?

Faster than the enemy!

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OODA Loop

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What is our Philosophy of Command?

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Philosophy of Command

Centralized planning, Decentralized execution

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How do we do that?

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Philosophy of Command

Subordinate commanders making decisions on their own initiative, based on their understanding of their senior’s intent

Implicit Communication– Communicate through mutual understanding

Commanders leading from where they can best influence the action

Competent leadership at all levels

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Decision-making

If we fail to make a decision, we willingly surrender the initiative to the enemy

Time critical– “Select a promising course of action with an

acceptable degree of risk and to do it more quickly than our foe”

“A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”

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Mission Tactics

Assign a task and purpose without specifying how

Relies on a subordinate's exercise of initiative framed by proper guidance and understanding– Understand how your actions fit into the larger

situation

Requires uniformity of thinking

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How do we ensure everyone’s on the same sheet of music?

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Commander’s Intent

Guidance that enables subordinates to act in a changing environment without additional orders– “…in order to…”

Promotes unity of effort Should understand the intent of

the commander at least two levels up

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How do focus our effort?

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Main Effort

The unit assigned to accomplish the main mission– Primary bid for success

Directed against a center of gravity through a critical enemy vulnerability

Can be shifted to exploit success

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Main Effort

Supported by all other units

When faced with a decision, think: – “How can I best support

the main effort?”

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What are surfaces and gaps?

Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness; attack him when he does not expect it; avoid his strength and strike his emptiness…

Sun Tzu

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Surfaces

A “hard spot” or enemy strength. – An enemy position, unit, or strength where the

enemy has sufficient combat power to detrimentally affect mission accomplishment.

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Gaps

A “soft spot” or enemy weakness – Exploit existing gaps.

If there isn’t any, then we create one.

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Surfaces and Gaps

Surface in one situation may be a gap in another

Gaps will rarely be permanent Quickly seize opportunities

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What is combined arms?

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Combined Arms

The tactics and techniques of employing “the full integration of arms in such a way that to counteract one, the enemy must become more vulnerable to another.”– “Horns of a Dilemma”

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Conclusion

“Maneuver warfare is a philosophy for generating the greatest decisive effect against the enemy at the least possible cost to ourselves—a philosophy for ‘fighting smart’.”

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Questions?

WWI recruiting poster

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Summary- Chap 1

Attributes of War– Friction– Uncertainty-“Fog of war”– Fluidity– Disorder– Complexity

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Summary- Chap 2

Levels of warGenerating Combat Power

– Speed, Focus, Surprise, Boldness

Center of Gravity / Critical Vulnerability

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Summary- Chap 3

Elements of professionalism– Lifelong student in the art of war– Tactical proficiency– Command of maneuver warfare concepts

Elements of effective training– Focused on battlefield skills– Develop leadership and tactical thinking and

decision-making– Should simulate the conditions of war – Use opposed, free-play exercises to practice

the art of war

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Summary- Chap 4

Maneuver warfareCenter of Gravity / Critical VulnerabilityMission TacticsCommander’s IntentMain EffortSurfaces / GapsCombined Arms

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Warfighting

Capt CorbeillMarine Officer Instructor

294-0331

NS321 Evolution of Warfare