Operational Initiative in Theory and Army Doctrine: Military Theory, Individual Initiative and Control to Achieve Objectives, Role of Positive Aim, Anticipation, and Relative Freedom of Action

Nonfiction, History, Military, Strategy, United States
Cover of the book Operational Initiative in Theory and Army Doctrine: Military Theory, Individual Initiative and Control to Achieve Objectives, Role of Positive Aim, Anticipation, and Relative Freedom of Action by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781370896936
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: February 19, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370896936
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: February 19, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Every soldier wants the initiative, but few can define what that really means. What is the initiative and how can it be seized and retained? Despite its prominence in centuries of military theory and role as a foundational attribute of the US Army operating concept since 1982, the definition of operational initiative remains vague. Furthermore, the lack of clarity on this topic blurs the lines between operational initiative and individual initiative, or the willingness of individuals to act in a given situation. A clear definition of operational initiative is necessary to prevent this critical concept from devolving to a trite military cliche.

An analysis of dominant military theory and US Army doctrine reveals that initiative is a persistent phenomenon of warfare in which one belligerent holds and presses an advantage against the other. Operational initiative is therefore a form of control over adversaries and the environment, generated by pursuit of a positive aim, anticipation of future conditions, and relative freedom of action. This definition is clear, succinct, and consistent with the concept's use in military theory and throughout the history of US Army doctrine.

In chess, initiative is a dynamic advantage that belongs to the players who can force opponents to respond to their threats. By its nature, initiative requires the continuance of the attack and the spirit of the offensive. A player can seize initiative from an opponent by ignoring a threat and sacrificing a piece, or taking advantage of an opportunity when the opponent fails to make an adequate threat. The relative value of sacrifice to advantage is clear without tactical or strategic moral ramifications. No pawn weeps for the loss of its queen. Initiative is a mutually exclusive property derived from the turn-based closed-system structure of chess and is relatively easy to identify.

In war, initiative is far more complex. Turns are relative to the tempo of the belligerents. The fog of war obscures the locations, capabilities, and readiness of forces, and, occasionally, chance or the moral force of will overcomes the expected outcomes given by rules and maxims. Objectively strong militaries armed with the best equipment and training appear to struggle to find strategic advantage against poorly armed ideological insurgents. Increasing numbers of civilians, government agencies, criminal networks, and insurgent groups complicate the modern battlefield. Initiative appears to be an elusive property that is difficult to define.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Every soldier wants the initiative, but few can define what that really means. What is the initiative and how can it be seized and retained? Despite its prominence in centuries of military theory and role as a foundational attribute of the US Army operating concept since 1982, the definition of operational initiative remains vague. Furthermore, the lack of clarity on this topic blurs the lines between operational initiative and individual initiative, or the willingness of individuals to act in a given situation. A clear definition of operational initiative is necessary to prevent this critical concept from devolving to a trite military cliche.

An analysis of dominant military theory and US Army doctrine reveals that initiative is a persistent phenomenon of warfare in which one belligerent holds and presses an advantage against the other. Operational initiative is therefore a form of control over adversaries and the environment, generated by pursuit of a positive aim, anticipation of future conditions, and relative freedom of action. This definition is clear, succinct, and consistent with the concept's use in military theory and throughout the history of US Army doctrine.

In chess, initiative is a dynamic advantage that belongs to the players who can force opponents to respond to their threats. By its nature, initiative requires the continuance of the attack and the spirit of the offensive. A player can seize initiative from an opponent by ignoring a threat and sacrificing a piece, or taking advantage of an opportunity when the opponent fails to make an adequate threat. The relative value of sacrifice to advantage is clear without tactical or strategic moral ramifications. No pawn weeps for the loss of its queen. Initiative is a mutually exclusive property derived from the turn-based closed-system structure of chess and is relatively easy to identify.

In war, initiative is far more complex. Turns are relative to the tempo of the belligerents. The fog of war obscures the locations, capabilities, and readiness of forces, and, occasionally, chance or the moral force of will overcomes the expected outcomes given by rules and maxims. Objectively strong militaries armed with the best equipment and training appear to struggle to find strategic advantage against poorly armed ideological insurgents. Increasing numbers of civilians, government agencies, criminal networks, and insurgent groups complicate the modern battlefield. Initiative appears to be an elusive property that is difficult to define.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book FBI Report: FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, 60th Anniversary, 1950-2010 - History, Statistics, and Analysis; Famous Cases - James Earl Ray, Ted Bundy, Eric Rudolph by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Marine Corps Expeditionary Force 21: Amphibious Capability, Seapower, Projection Forces, Command Element Roadmap, Ship-to-Objective Maneuver, Concept of Employment, Seabasing Capabilities by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Ten Propositions Regarding Spacepower: Theories, Global Access and Presence, Coercive Force, Commercial Assets, Career-long Specialization, Weaponization, Central Control by Space Professional by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Insurgent Uprising: An Unconventional Warfare Wargame - Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Practical Exercise to Reinforce UW Training, Special Forces COIN Against Guerrillas by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Revolutionary War (War of American Independence): Timeline of the American Revolution, Featuring the Content of Original Documents by George Washington, Continental Congress, Thomas Paine, Others by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Civil War Begins: Opening Clashes, 1861 - Fort Sumter, Virginia and Bull Run, The Fight for Missouri, From Belmont to Port Royal by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Understanding Cancer Toolkit: Pain Control in Cancer - Acute, Chronic, Breakthrough, Neuropathic, Medicine, Complementary Treatments, Goals, Assessment by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Art of War Paper: Operations at the Border - Efforts to Disrupt Insurgent Safe-Havens, Dhofar, Oman, Insurgency, Counterinsurgency by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The DSCA Corps: Bridging the Gap Between the Profession of Arms and Domestic Operations - Defense Support to Civil Authorities Case Study of Hurricane Sandy and Cascadia Rising Earthquake Exercise by Progressive Management
Cover of the book National Defense Intelligence College Paper: Bringing Intelligence About - Practitioners Reflect on Best Practices - CIA Analysis, Analytical Tradecraft, Process Management by Progressive Management
Cover of the book National Defense Intelligence College Paper: Educing Information - Interrogation: Science and Art - Terrorism and Torture, KUBARK, Techniques and Training by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Paths of Heaven: The Evolution of Airpower Theory - Douhet, World War I and II, William Mitchell, Naval Theories, Continental Europe, Air Corps, deSeversky, Nuclear Strategy, Boyd, Warden, NATO by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA's Efforts to Identify Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and Mitigate Hazards - Asteroids, Meteors, Comets, Chelyabinsk-type Events, Problems with NEO Program, Management Issues by Progressive Management
Cover of the book John A. Lejeune, The Marine Corps' Greatest Strategic Leader: USMC Commandant, Amphibious and Expeditionary Warfare, Military After World War I, Greatest of All Leathernecks, Marine's Marine by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Battle-Wise: Seeking Time-Information Superiority in Networked Warfare - Defeating Adversaries, Cognitive Demands, Integrating Intuition and Reasoning, Battle Wisdom from Firepower to Brainpower by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy