This paper presents the author's views regarding the center of gravity, a concept which has created a surprising amount of disagreement among people studying operational art. The problem seems to stem from differences in interpretation of Carl von...
In 1979 the age old struggle for the control of Islam between the Shiite and Sunni sects re-emerged in the Middle East. Four events occurred in 1979 that defined the context of contemporary Middle Eastern politics: the Islamic revolution in Iran,...
This monograph examines current U.S. Army tactical and operational training strategies and analyzes the 1994 Louisiana Maneuver initiative to determine if the 1994 operational exercise can link current operational level training to future Combined...
Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities as a Headquarters and Headquarters First Sergeant before, during, and after a major deployment is not an easy task. You have to ensure that you’re Leaders, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Soldiers...
The debate over the service of black Americans in the U.S. Army centered around three questions: Could they serve? Would they be allowed to serve? And, if allowed, in what capacity would they serve? This is similar to modern debates about the...
On June of 1867, the 9th Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers" was ordered to proceed to Headquarters, Department of Texas in San Antonio. There it was charged with protecting stage and mail routes, building and maintaining forts, and establishing law and...
This research sought to determine the degree to John P. Kotter's 1996 model of Leading Change for transforming businesses could be applied to the Army's current Transformation initiative. The research used three historical examples--Ridgway's...
Forward by Dr. William G. Robertson: The Combat Studies Institute (CSI) is pleased to present its latest publication in the Occasional Paper Series, "We Have Not Learned How to Wage War There" The Soviet Approach in Afghanistan,1979-1989, by Mr....
Forward by Dr. William G. Robertson: The Combat Studies Institute (CSI) is pleased to present its latest publication in the Occasional Paper Series, "We Have Not Learned How to Wage War There" The Soviet Approach in Afghanistan,1979-1989, by Mr....
This study examines the counterintelligence and security programs of the Manhattan Project, the United States acquisition of the atomic bomb, using the Department of Defense's Acquisition Systems Protection Program (ASPP) methodology. Using the...
Performing AC/RC duty as an active duty First Sergeant for a multi-component Reserve and National Guard unit tagged for deployment proved to be extremely challenging. The training received at the mob site was substandard. The equipment that the...
Nearly twenty years ago, as a new student in the Army's Command and General Staff Officer's College, Infantry Branch officers introduced to me the relatively newly codified doctrinal term "center of gravity." Throughout the "best year of our lives"...
In a surprise move during the summer of 1955 the Secretary of the Navy selected Rear Admiral Arleigh Burke over 92 more senior admirals to become the Navy’s next Chief of Naval Operations. The junior admiral went on to serve an unprecedented...
Cultural awareness is a force multiplier; failure to recognize this can have adverse impacts on operations. Since the first coalition troop deployments to Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, the U.S. Army has received much criticism over the lack...
This monograph examines the effectiveness of the combined French and American Training Relations and Instruction Mission. The United States' fears regarding the spread of communism during the 1950s appeared justified in Vietnam following the French...
This study investigates Afghanistan influences in the Tajikistan civil war. Ongoing conflict in Afghanistan overlaps the Tajikistan conflict developing after the USSR's 1991 breakup. The Tajikistan civil war includes elements of ethnic, religious...
It is debatable whether Afghanistan historically meets most accepted definitions of a nation-state. Afghanistan has historically been governed by local and tribal leaders with short-lived attempts at a strong central unitary government. Whenever...
Schoomaker, F. B.; Kelly, Francis J.; Smith, Woodrow, M.; Marks, Edwin H., Jr.; Loughran, John J.; Bringham, R.M.; Cunningham, W. A.
On 9 September 1960 the Commandant directed that a task force be organized and assigned the task of examining the organization of the Post and College and recommending changes as necessary to improve operations. The order appointing the task force...
One of the most complex challenges facing the U.S. military today is the problem of imposing stability over the chaos that follows major combat operations. Despite the U.S. military’s predilection to distill warfare into the linear, Newtonian...
Iran in the 1950s was in the cross hairs of the Cold War power struggle between the US and USSR. Strategically located, Iran became critical in the foreign policy endeavors of the Eisenhower Administration in the Middle East. After the decision to...