The possibility of local war is everywhere in the world today. It is most difficult to minimize the impact of an attacker's initial surprise attack, to seize the initiative, and conduct an effective counteroffensive. Here lies the problem in those...
This monograph examines the relationship between physical forces prevalent on the modern battlefield and the causes inherent to US armored battalion failure since World War II. Given the complexity of today's battlefield in terms of technology,...
The War of the Triple Alliance, fought from 1864 to 1870 between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, was a Latin American regional war that spiraled out of control to become one of the bloodiest international...
The objective of this study is to determine if the German "blitzkrieg" and Fall Gelb of 1940 were an expression of operational art. Despite the mythology surrounding Fall Gelb, the campaign does not constitute a major breakthrough in operational...
Doctrine Center of Gravity Analysis. Colonel Dale C. Eikmeier, U.S. Army; Why are centers of gravity so difficult to identify or define? The Armed Forces have suffered from years of conflicting definitions. Not until 1997 did the services agree...
A comprehensive study of any subject should begin with its historical development. In the case of field artillery materiel, a superficial examination of museum curiosities is not sufficient. The survey, to be of real value, must identify in each...
Employment of Airborne Field Artillery, prepared by the Field Artillery School in consultation with Headquarters, Airborne Command, represents the current thought of the Airborne Command on the subject. The use of this document is authorized as a...
"Preparedness for war is the goal to be kept constantly in view in all peace training. No refinements of drill-ground instruction or other minor details must be allowed to obscure this definite goal or impede progress toward its attainment."
Counterinsurgency missions demand complete cooperation between the State Department and the Department of Defense agencies, when the interactions are focused towards developing the political and economic outcome of a nation that requires...
This paper will compare counterinsurgency operations in the Philippines and Iraq, and demonstrate how three critical factors – combat power, diplomacy and unconventional warfare – led to the success of each one. In both of the aforementioned...
When does a leader have a moral or ethical obligation to use less than all means at his disposal to destroy the enemy? This question is one that arises more often than we like to think, especially with the advent of embedded media and insurgent...
American history includes more than 200 years of recorded military success and failures. From the Revolutionary War to the those operations under Global War on Terrorism, the military leaders and warriors of the United States, have implemented...
In this paper I will offer some recent example of unethical behavior from within our ranks. Additionally, I will outline some possible consequences of the misled actions of a few and how it affects the world today. The most important idea I hope to...
The world reaction to the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979 was intense and negative. This paper will give you the examples of how the Mujahedeen used the climate and terrain to their advantage in defeating the Soviets. The paper...
The U.S. Army Special Forces (SF) community has debated for years on whether or not to continue teaching Soldiers Unconventional Warfare (UW) in the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). The actions of a few SF teams during the onset of the...
This paper shall explore the factors behind the failure to train and prepare the US military prior to hostilities in Operation Just Cause in the country of Panama, and Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait and Southern Iraq. In particular, this analysis...
In the recent past foreign policy on security has become an important debate concerning the role played by the USA military regarding international military interventions or peacekeeping missions. Lots of conflicts which occurred in 1990s, for...