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Further Information - Military Doctrine - Army Organization - Weapons - Armor - Vehicles	Military Doctrine Fundamental to operating across the full range of possible operations is an understanding of the army's doctrinal foundations - the principles of war and the tenet's of army operations. Small unit leaders must understand the concepts and fundamentals of army doctrine to effectively lead in combat. As elite forces, enlisted stormtroopers must also conceptualize their orders in a construct that envelops the "big picture." *Principles of War* The bedrock of military doctrine, the principles of war dictate the following concepts when considering force projection. Objective Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective. The ultimate military purpose of war is the destruction of the enemy's armed forces and its will to fight. In operations other than war, the ultimate objective might be more difficult to define, but it must be clear from the beginning. Offensive Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive action is the most effective and decisive effect on an enemy force in a short time is to achieve mass. Mass Mass the effects of overwhelming combat power at the decisive place and time. Sychronizing all the elements of combat power where they will have decisive effect on an enemy force in a short time is to achieve mass. Economy of Force Economy of force is the judicious employment and distribution of forces in order to achieve mass elsewhere. Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts. Manuever Place the enemy in a positive of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power. Manuever is the movement of forces in relation to the enemy to secure or retain positional advantage. Unity of Command For every objective, seek unity of command and unity of effort. At all levels of war, employment of forces in a manner that masses combat power toward a common objective requires unity of command and unity of effort. Security Never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage. Security results from the measures taken by a commander to protect his forces. Surprise Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which it is unprepared. The element of surprise can allow forces to achieve success wewll out of proportion to the effort expended. Simplicity Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders to ensure throrough understanding. Other factors being equal, the simplest plan is preferable. *Tenets* The fundamental tenets of army operations describe characteristics of successful operations. The Imperial Army believes that its five basic tenets are the keys to victory. In and of themselves, they do not guarantee victory, but their absence makes it difficult and costly to achieve. Initiative Initiative means setting or changing the terms of battle by action. Infantry forces attempt to maintain their freedom of action while limiting the enemy's. This requires an offensive spirit in all operations. Decentralized operations in which small units aggressively fight through the enemy resistance with the imeediately available resources support the seizure or retention of the initiative. Inidividuals act independently within the framework of their commander's concept. Leaders and soldiers must understand the intent of commanders two echelons above. Commanders use mission-type orders and clear, concise instructions to ensure that subordinates understand the concept and how they fit within it. Agility Infantry forces seize or retain the initiative by acting and/or reacting faster than the enemy. This begins with the commander, who must have the mental agility to rapidly analyze tactical situations, thinking through many possible courses of action and the enemy's likely reaction to them, and determining the most effection and least costly course. Standing operating procedures (SOPs) and drills enable the unit to rapidly execute assigned mission without long, detailed orders. Depth Depth is the extension of operation in time, space, and resources. A commander seeks to fight the enemy throughout the depth of the enemy's formations by properly positioning his forces or by skillfully manuevering his unit. This allows the unit to seek out and concentrate against enemy weaknesses. By swiftly concentrating against first one, then another enemy weakness, a skilled commander can begin to seize the initiative on a local level, allowing a higher commander to then exploit the opportunity. Synchronization Synchronization is the arrangement of battlefield activities in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum combat power at the decisive point. A commander synchronizes his subordinates actions on the battlefield by assigning clear missions, makind understood the timing required in the operation, and focusing all actions toward achieveing overwhelming combat power at a decisive point. Issuing mission orders, identifying the main effort, and assigning each subordinate element clear tasks and purposes are the best means of maintaining synchronization in a fast-paced, fluid environment. Versatility Versatility is the ability of tactical units to adapt to different missions and tasks. In a force-projection army, the demands for versatility increase. Forces must be prepared to move rapidly from one region to another, one type of warfare to another, and one form of combat to another. Combat Power Manuever Manuever is the movement of forces supported by fire to achieve a position of advantage from which to destroy or threaten destruction of the enemy. Manuever is the primary means of gaining or retaining the initiative. Forces use stealth, camouflage, dispersion, terrain, and fires to support their movement and close with the enemy. Infantry takes advantage of its ability to move across difficult terrain in any weather to surprise the enemy. The indirect approach guides movement planning: avoiding the enemy's strenghts, moving through gaps or weaknesses or around its flanks, and striking at critical locations to rapidly destroy the enemy's will and ability to fight. Firepower Firepower is the capacity to deliver effective fire on a target. Firepower and manuever are complementary. It is the effect of fires on the enemy that matters. A few weapons firing accurately from a location that surprises the enemy are more effectiv than many weapons with a large volume of fire but without the element of surprise. Before attempting to manuever, infantry units must establish a base of fire. Leaders must understand the capabilities of organic and supporting weapons, how to position and emply them, and the techniques of integrating and controlling fires. Protection Protection is the conservation of the fighting potential of the force. It includes all actions that degrade the enemy's ability to manuever against or place fires of the friendly force. These include security measures; user of limited visibility, cover, and concealment; air defense; camouflage; and dispersion. Protection also includes maintaining the soldiers' health and morale. Manuever provides protection for the force by preventing the enemy from fixing it and concentrating firepower against it. Firepower, such as suppressive fire during an assault, can also provide protection. Infantry gains protection by avoiding detection during movement and by digging fighting positions when stationary. Leadership The combat power generated by infantry forces is dependent on the concepts and plans developed by the commanders and subordinate leaders. Infantry leaders are expected to lead by personal example and to provide purpose, motivation, and direction for their soldiers. Leaders must know their profession, their soldiers, and the tools of war. Basic Rules of Combat At the small unit level, the following encompass the essence of the fundmental priniciples of war. Secure - Use cover and concealment - Establish local security and conduct reconnaissance - Protect the unit Move - Establish a moving element - Get in the best position to shoot - Gain and maintain the initiative - Move fast, strike hard, and finish rapidly Shoot - Establish a base of fire - Maintain mutual support - Kill or suppress the enemy Communicate - Keep everyone informed - Tell soldiers what is expected Sustain - Keep the fight going - Take care of soldiers
atc v2.1 - created 2/2003 \|\| copyright © 2003 - all rights reserved

domain \| army \| academy \| manual

home \| basic info \| specialty \| courses \| road map \| about
Further Information - Military Doctrine - Army Organization - Weapons - Armor - Vehicles	Military Doctrine Fundamental to operating across the full range of possible operations is an understanding of the army's doctrinal foundations - the principles of war and the tenet's of army operations. Small unit leaders must understand the concepts and fundamentals of army doctrine to effectively lead in combat. As elite forces, enlisted stormtroopers must also conceptualize their orders in a construct that envelops the "big picture." *Principles of War* The bedrock of military doctrine, the principles of war dictate the following concepts when considering force projection. Objective Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective. The ultimate military purpose of war is the destruction of the enemy's armed forces and its will to fight. In operations other than war, the ultimate objective might be more difficult to define, but it must be clear from the beginning. Offensive Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive action is the most effective and decisive effect on an enemy force in a short time is to achieve mass. Mass Mass the effects of overwhelming combat power at the decisive place and time. Sychronizing all the elements of combat power where they will have decisive effect on an enemy force in a short time is to achieve mass. Economy of Force Economy of force is the judicious employment and distribution of forces in order to achieve mass elsewhere. Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts. Manuever Place the enemy in a positive of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power. Manuever is the movement of forces in relation to the enemy to secure or retain positional advantage. Unity of Command For every objective, seek unity of command and unity of effort. At all levels of war, employment of forces in a manner that masses combat power toward a common objective requires unity of command and unity of effort. Security Never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage. Security results from the measures taken by a commander to protect his forces. Surprise Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which it is unprepared. The element of surprise can allow forces to achieve success wewll out of proportion to the effort expended. Simplicity Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders to ensure throrough understanding. Other factors being equal, the simplest plan is preferable. *Tenets* The fundamental tenets of army operations describe characteristics of successful operations. The Imperial Army believes that its five basic tenets are the keys to victory. In and of themselves, they do not guarantee victory, but their absence makes it difficult and costly to achieve. Initiative Initiative means setting or changing the terms of battle by action. Infantry forces attempt to maintain their freedom of action while limiting the enemy's. This requires an offensive spirit in all operations. Decentralized operations in which small units aggressively fight through the enemy resistance with the imeediately available resources support the seizure or retention of the initiative. Inidividuals act independently within the framework of their commander's concept. Leaders and soldiers must understand the intent of commanders two echelons above. Commanders use mission-type orders and clear, concise instructions to ensure that subordinates understand the concept and how they fit within it. Agility Infantry forces seize or retain the initiative by acting and/or reacting faster than the enemy. This begins with the commander, who must have the mental agility to rapidly analyze tactical situations, thinking through many possible courses of action and the enemy's likely reaction to them, and determining the most effection and least costly course. Standing operating procedures (SOPs) and drills enable the unit to rapidly execute assigned mission without long, detailed orders. Depth Depth is the extension of operation in time, space, and resources. A commander seeks to fight the enemy throughout the depth of the enemy's formations by properly positioning his forces or by skillfully manuevering his unit. This allows the unit to seek out and concentrate against enemy weaknesses. By swiftly concentrating against first one, then another enemy weakness, a skilled commander can begin to seize the initiative on a local level, allowing a higher commander to then exploit the opportunity. Synchronization Synchronization is the arrangement of battlefield activities in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum combat power at the decisive point. A commander synchronizes his subordinates actions on the battlefield by assigning clear missions, makind understood the timing required in the operation, and focusing all actions toward achieveing overwhelming combat power at a decisive point. Issuing mission orders, identifying the main effort, and assigning each subordinate element clear tasks and purposes are the best means of maintaining synchronization in a fast-paced, fluid environment. Versatility Versatility is the ability of tactical units to adapt to different missions and tasks. In a force-projection army, the demands for versatility increase. Forces must be prepared to move rapidly from one region to another, one type of warfare to another, and one form of combat to another. Combat Power Manuever Manuever is the movement of forces supported by fire to achieve a position of advantage from which to destroy or threaten destruction of the enemy. Manuever is the primary means of gaining or retaining the initiative. Forces use stealth, camouflage, dispersion, terrain, and fires to support their movement and close with the enemy. Infantry takes advantage of its ability to move across difficult terrain in any weather to surprise the enemy. The indirect approach guides movement planning: avoiding the enemy's strenghts, moving through gaps or weaknesses or around its flanks, and striking at critical locations to rapidly destroy the enemy's will and ability to fight. Firepower Firepower is the capacity to deliver effective fire on a target. Firepower and manuever are complementary. It is the effect of fires on the enemy that matters. A few weapons firing accurately from a location that surprises the enemy are more effectiv than many weapons with a large volume of fire but without the element of surprise. Before attempting to manuever, infantry units must establish a base of fire. Leaders must understand the capabilities of organic and supporting weapons, how to position and emply them, and the techniques of integrating and controlling fires. Protection Protection is the conservation of the fighting potential of the force. It includes all actions that degrade the enemy's ability to manuever against or place fires of the friendly force. These include security measures; user of limited visibility, cover, and concealment; air defense; camouflage; and dispersion. Protection also includes maintaining the soldiers' health and morale. Manuever provides protection for the force by preventing the enemy from fixing it and concentrating firepower against it. Firepower, such as suppressive fire during an assault, can also provide protection. Infantry gains protection by avoiding detection during movement and by digging fighting positions when stationary. Leadership The combat power generated by infantry forces is dependent on the concepts and plans developed by the commanders and subordinate leaders. Infantry leaders are expected to lead by personal example and to provide purpose, motivation, and direction for their soldiers. Leaders must know their profession, their soldiers, and the tools of war. Basic Rules of Combat At the small unit level, the following encompass the essence of the fundmental priniciples of war. Secure - Use cover and concealment - Establish local security and conduct reconnaissance - Protect the unit Move - Establish a moving element - Get in the best position to shoot - Gain and maintain the initiative - Move fast, strike hard, and finish rapidly Shoot - Establish a base of fire - Maintain mutual support - Kill or suppress the enemy Communicate - Keep everyone informed - Tell soldiers what is expected Sustain - Keep the fight going - Take care of soldiers
atc v2.1 - created 2/2003 \|\| copyright © 2003 - all rights reserved