INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONAL ART By DR First Mi

INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONAL ART By DR. (First Mi. Last) JMO DEPARTMENT, U. S. NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, NEWPORT, RI.

“WAR IS NOT AN AFFAIR OF CHANCE. A GREAT DEAL OF KNOWLEDGE, STUDY AND MEDITATION IS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT IT WELL. ” FREDERICK THE GREAT, 1747

TERMS USED • • GRAND TACTICS OPERATIONS (OPERATIONS) OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIONSKUNST) OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIVNOYE ISKUSSTVO) • OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP (OPERATIONSFUEHRUNG; OPERATIVE FUEHRUNG) • OPERATIONAL WARFARE • OPERATIONAL WARFIGHTING

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART STRATEGY OPERATIONS (Operational Art) TACTICS PPT-98 -VEG 0 -38 A (PFR)

ON OPERATIONAL ART • AN INTERMEDIATE FIELD OF STUDY AND PRACTICE BETWEEN STRATEGY AND TACTICS • IT IS APPLIED ACROSS THE ENTIRE “OPERATIONAL CONTINUUM” • IT DEALS WITH THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PLANNING, PREPARING, CONDUCTING, AND SUSTAINING MAJOR OPERATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT ACCOMPLISHING OPERATIONAL OR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER.

“THE NATION THAT WILL INSIST ON DRAWING A BROAD LINE BETWEEN THE FIGHTING MAN AND THE THINKING MAN IS LIABLE TO FIND ITS FIGHTING DONE BY FOOLS AND ITS THINKING DONE BY COWARDS. ” SIR WILLIAM FRANCIS BUTLER

MILITARY SCIENCE AND MILITARY ART MILITARY SCIENCE MILITARY ART STRATEGY TACTICS OPERATIONS (OPERATIONAL ART) PPT-98 -VEG 0 -10 A (PFR)

IMPORTANCE • TACTICS ALONE CANNOT ACCOMPLISH STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER OR WIN THE WAR; RESULTS OF TACTICAL ACTIONS ARE USEFUL ONLY WHEN LINKED TOGETHER AS A PART OF SOME LARGER DESIGN FRAMED BY STRATEGY AND ORCEHSTRATED BY OPERATIONAL ART • THE GAP BETWEEN STRATEGY AND TACTICS IS TOO LARGE TO BE BRIDGED WITHOUT AN INTERMEDIATE FIELD OF STUDY AND PRACTICE -- OPERATIONAL ART

• OPERATIONAL ART SEQUENCES AND SYNCHRONIZES SERIES OF TACTICAL ACTIONS TO ACCOMPLISH OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF MAJOR OPERATIONS; STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER ARE NORMALLY ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH SERIES OF MAJOR OPERATIONS • OPERATIONAL ART ALLOWS A SMALLER, BUT BETTER TRAINED AND SKILLFULLY LED FORCE GUIDED BY SOUND STRATEGY TO DEFEAT QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY A MUCH STRONGER FORCE.

• OPERATIONAL ART HELPS TO AVOID MORE COSTLY AND TIME-CONSUMING ATTRITIONAL WARFARE AT THE OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEVELS • IT PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK AND KEY INPUTS FOR WRITING SERVICE AND JOINT/COMBINED DOCTRINE • IT REINFORCES THE NEED FOR THE CLOSEST COOPERATION AMONG THE SERVICES -JOINTNESS.

CHARACTERISTICS • MOVEMENTS OF LARGE MULTI-SERVICE OR MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES OVER LARGE PART OF THEATER • THE DEPLOYMENT FORMS THE VERY BASIS OF A PLAN FOR CAMPAIGN OR MAJOR OPERATION • SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED EMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER

PREREQUISITES • A SUFFICIENT PHYSICAL SPACE FOR MOVEMENTS OF LARGE FORMATIONS • FULL MASTERY OF TACTICS • THE COMMANDERS MUST HAVE THAT RARE ABILITY TO THINK BEYOND THE REALM OF PHYSICAL COMBAT • THE EXISTENCE OF THEATER-WIDE STRUCTURE (C 2; C 2 W; INTELLIGENCE; FIRES; LOGISTICS; AND PROTECTION).

COMPONENTS

MILITARY ART COMPONENTS COMPONENT LEVEL OF WAR THEORY AND PRACTICE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY OR ALLIANCE/COALITION STRATEGY) STRATEGY CONFLICT/WAR TERMINATION ISSUING STRATEGIC GUIDANCE DETERMINATION OF PRIMARY ALLOCATION OF MILITARY RESOURCES AND SECONDARY AMONG THEATERS BUILDING ALLIANCE/COALITION ENHANCING COUNTRY’S GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGIC • NATIONALSTRATEGIC • THEATERSTRATEGIC THEORY AND PRACTICE OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIONS) TACTICS PPT-99 -VEGO-40 (PFR) OPERATIONAL-STRATEGIC AL INPUT TO CONFLICT/ OPERA N O I FUN TION WAR TERMINATION AT RS TIO AL O OPER T C FA OPE NS L A OPERATIONAL ART N R ATIOSHIP PLAATION R E (OPERATIONS) P R NNI AL O ADE PRIN F OPERATIONAL O C LE S T AL OPERATIONAL OPE IPLE NG N E RAT S O N TIOR ELEM F WAR IO TRAINING A E R E FARNAL OP ARFA METHODS OF COMBAT E W FORCE EMPLOYMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE A CO S OF RMS MBAT OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL C I T S C METHODS OF TACTICAL E TAC A T ANCH TICS EMPLOYMENT BR T A CTIC TACTICS ICAL WEA T S C G A N T NNI PLA PONOF A TAC TFOR S PL F T TICS MS O TACTICAL Y S PE O IC ED T O C TYPES OF AIR F SHI F TA MBIN CRA PS/ SHIPS / AIRCRAFT CO ARMS FT TACTICAL FUNCTIONS

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART AND THE LEVELS OF WAR OPERATIONAL ART STRATEGY COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT LEVEL OF WAR COMMAND ECHELON GLOBAL NATIONAL-STRATEGIC LEVEL NATIONAL-STRATEGIC THEATER OF WAR THEATER-STRATEGIC LEVEL THEATER-STRATEGIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL AREA OF OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL LEVEL OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL COMBAT ZONE (SECTOR) TACTICAL LEVEL TACTICAL (LAND, MARITIME) TACTICS (LAND, MARITIME, AIR) PPT-97 VEG 024 A (PFR)

OPERATIONAL FACTORS

OPERATIONAL FACTORS OBJECTIVE SPACE- FORCE SPACE TIME-SPACE FORCE TIME-FORCE BAL A NCI NG SPAC E E - TIME - FORC INFORMATION PPT-96 VEG 040 B

THE FACTOR OF SPACE GEOSTRATEGIC POSITIONS DISTANCES MILITARY ORGANIZATION OF SPACE ELEMENTS OF THEATER PPT-97 VEG 022 11/29/2020 FACTOR SPACE SIZE SHAPE DYNAMICS OF SPACE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

THE FACTOR OF TIME DECISION CYCLE PLANNING COLLECTING, PROCESSING AND EVALUATING INFORMATION DURATION OF WAR OPENING HOSTILITIES MANEUVER/COUNTERMANEUVER WARNING TIME BETWEEN CONSECUTIVE MAJOR OPERATIONS/ CAMPAIGNS REACTION MOBILIZATION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MISSION TIME FOR: DEPLOYMENT TRANSIT COMMITMENT OF RESERVES REDEPLOYMENT TIMING REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER PREPARATION MASTERING NEW WEAPONS/ EQUIPMENT BRINGING UP REINFORCEMENTS ETC. FOR WAR FORCE RECONSTITUTION FOR A MAJOR OPERATION/CAMPAIGN CONCENTRATION/COUNTERCONCENTRATION PPT-96 VEG 032 A (PFR)

COMBAT POTENTIAL vs. COMBAT POWER PEACETIME HOSTILITIES NON-COMBAT DESIGNED COMBAT POTENTIAL ACTIVATION OF COMBAT POWER AVAILABLE PPT-00 -VEGO-38 (PFR) COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS ENEMY COMBAT POWER RELATIVE COMBAT POWER

COMBAT POWER PEACETIME NON-COMBAT HOSTILITIES COMBAT FORCE TIME AVAILABLE COMBAT POTENTIAL PLUS INFLUENCES OF: SPACE COMBAT POWER SURPRISE DECEPTION FATIGUE CHANCE / LUCK ETC. FOG OF WAR DOCTRINE INTELLIGENCE DECISIONS MADE PPT-00 -VEGO-36 (PFR) FRICTION FREEDOM OF ACTION / INITIATIVE LOGISTICAL SUSTAINMENT

THE THEATER

THEATER STRUCTURE AND LEVELS OF WAR ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE THEATER (OF WAR) NATIONAL OR ALLIANCE/COALITION STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE THEATER-STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL THEATER OF OPERATIONS THEATER-STRATEGIC (OR MILITARY THEATER OF STRATEGIC) OPERATIONS OBJECTIVE AREAS OF OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL AIR (SPACE) MARITIME LAND JOINT OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE OR MAJOR TACTICAL COMBAT ZONES/SECTORS TACTICAL OBJECTIVE TACTICAL AIR (SPACE) PPT-97 VEG 035 MARITIME LAND

THEATER GEOEMETRY INTERIOR EXTERIOR LONG EXTERIOR PPT-96 VEG 08 EXTERIOR CONVERGING TACTICAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC DIVERGING THEATER GEOMETRY SHORT LONG DECISIVE POINTS AIR (ALOC) PHYSICAL OBJECTIVES TACTICAL LAND (LLOC) SEA (SLOC) MAIN INTERMEDIATE BASE OF OPERATIONS SINGLE DOUBLE MULTIPLE LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS (LOC) CENTRAL (INTERIOR) POSITIONS PARALLEL LINE OF OPERATIONS (LOO) SHORT CENTRAL (INTERIOR) OCEANIC COASTAL MINOR MAJOR GEOGRAPHIC-ORIENTED FORCE-ORIENTED CYBER-ORIENTED OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC

THEATER GEOMETRY C NEW BASE OF OPERATIONS C ALO LOO DECISIVE POINTS GEOGRAPHIC-ORIENTED FORCE=ORIENTED 97 -VEG 032. PPT LOO S INTERMEDIATE BASE OPERATIONS LOO LLOC ENEMY CENTER OF GRAVITY LOO SLO NEW LOOS PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE

OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS

OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS (IN GENERIC TERMS) COMMAND CONTROL (C 2) E IG LL TE COMMAND & CONTROL WARFARE (C 2 W) IN COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS (C 3) E NC OPERATIONAL FIRES P N SU C 2 CTIO FUN OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS T PPT-96 VEG 07 OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS PO R OPERATIONAL PROTECTION OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

SCALE OF INTELLIGENCE EFFORT LEVEL OF WAR STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL TACTICAL PPT-96 VEG 03 A (PFR) LEVELS OF COMMAND STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL-STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP NATIONAL ALLIANCE AND/OR COALITION POLICY & STRATEGY THEATER-STRATEGIC COMMANDER THEATER CAMPAIGNS & LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT THEATER OF OPERATIONS COMMANDER A SINGLE CAMPAIGN OPERATIONAL – TACTICAL COMMANDER A SINGLE MAJOR OPERATION TACTICAL COMMANDER TACTICAL ACTIONS (BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES, ATTACKS, ETC. )

C 2 W COMPONENTS INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT INFORMATION WARFARE (IW) OPERATIONS SECURITY (OPSEC) ELECTRONIC WARFARE (EW) EW SUPPORT ELECTRONIC ATTACK (EA) ELECTRONIC PROTECTION (EP) PPT-96 VEG 02 C 2 W PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (PSYOPS) MILITARY DECEPTION (MILDEC) PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION

TYPE OF OPERATIONAL FIRES LETHAL AIRBASED SEABASED GROUNDBASED PPT-96 VEG 011 NON-LETHAL CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS ELECTRONIC WEAPONS OF WARFARE (EW) MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) SPECIAL NUCLEAR FORCES ELECTRONIC CHEMICAL ATTACK (EA) BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (PSYOP)

SCALE OF LOGISTICAL SUPPORT THE COMMUNICATIONS ZONE THEATER OF WAR COMBAT ZONE (SECTOR) HOME BASE INTER-THEATER LOCs THEATER SUSTAINMENT BASE INTRA-THEATER LOCs THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC LOGISTICS OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS TACTICAL LOGISTICS PPT-97 VEG 020 (PFR)

OPERATIONAL PROTECTION (IN GENERIC TERMS) AIR DEFENSE AND AIRSPACE CONTROL COLLECTION OF INTELLIGENCE FOR INDICATORS & WARNING (I&W) PROTECTION OF INFORMATION AIR BASE GROUND DEFENSE (ABGD) FORCE PROTECTION COMPONENTS REAR AREA DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) PPT-99 -VEG 0 -61 (PFR) MARITIME SECURITY OF PORTS / HARBORS PROTECTION OF LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE

STAGES OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT

STAGES AND ELEMENTS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT MILITARY DECISION-MAKING AND PLANNING MAJOR STAGES DEPLOYMENT PEACETIME MOBILIZATION PREDEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES STRATEGIC COMBAT CONFLICT/ OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT WAR & / TERMINATION SUSTAINMENT TACTICAL OFFENSE OR CRITICAL FACTORS CONCENTRATION/ COUNTER CONCENTRATION POSTHOSTILITIES ACTIONS REDEPLOYMENT DEMOBILIZATION PEACETIME DEFENSE PURSUIT/ COUNTER-PURSUIT CENTERS OF GRAVITY COMBAT SUCCESS CULMINATING POINT REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER MANEUVER / COUNTER MANEUVER CONSOLIDATION OF COMBAT SUCCESS ELEMENTS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT PPT-98 -VEGO-8 (PFR) RECONSTITUTION PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF WAR

ELEMENTS OF OPERATIONAL WARFARE

CONCEPT OF CRITICAL FACTORS “CONCRETE” (TANGIBLE) CRITICAL STRENGTHS CRITICAL WEAKNESSES IF O PEN TO A TTA CK CRITICAL VULNERABILITIES (CVs) OBJECTIVE(S) CENTER OF GRAVITY (COG) 97 -VEG 033. PPT “ABSTRACT” (INTANGIBLE)

CRITICAL FACTORS “PHYSICAL” (TANGIBLE) CRITICAL FACTORS GEOGRAPHIC èGEOSTRATEGIC POSITION èGEOPOLITICAL POSITION èPOSITIONS NON-MILITARY èBASE OF OPERATIONS èSTATE ORGANIZATION èLINES OF OPERATIONS èECONOMY èLINES OF COMMUNICATIONS èMINERAL RESOURCES èETC. èAGRICULTURE MILITARY èFINANCES èARMED FORCES èINDIVIDUAL SERVICES (ARMY, NAVY, AIR èBANKING FORCE) èENERGY RESOURCES èTHEATER ARMY, FLEET, AIR FORCE èETC. èNUMBERED ARMY, FLEET, AIR FORCE èMAJOR FORCE ELEMENTS (AIR CORPS, NAVAL TASK FORCES, AIR TASK FORCES) èTACTICAL UNITS (DIVISIONS, BRIGADES, REGIMENTS, NAVAL SQUADRONS / GROUPS, AIR DIVISIONS / REGIMENTS / SQUADRONS) èINTELLIGENCE èC 3 I NODES èLOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND SUSTAINMENT èBATTLEFIELD SURVEILLANCE èINTELLIGENCE AND WARNING (I&W) èETC. 97 -VEG 030. PPT “ABSTRACT” (INTANGIBLE) èPOLITICAL èDIPLOMATIC èPSYCHOLOGICAL èWILL TO FIGHT èLEADERSHIP èALLIANCE/COALITION COHESION èALLIANCE / COALITION’S COMMUNITY OF INTERESTS èPUBLIC SUPPORT èUNITY OF COMMAND èSERVICE / JOINT DOCTRINE èMORALE èDISCIPLINE èCOMBAT TRAINING èCOMBAT READINESS èETC.

CENTER OF GRAVITY (IN GENERIC TERMS) “IS A SOURCE OF ‘MASSED STRENGTH’ -PHYSICAL OR MORAL OR A SOURCE OF LEVERAGE WHOSE SERIOUS DEGRADATION, DISLOCATION, NEUTRALIZATION, OR DESTRUCTION WILL HAVE THE MOST DECISIVE IMPACT ON THE ENEMY’S OR ONE’S OWN ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH A GIVEN MILITARY OBJECTIVE. ”

CENTER OF GRAVITY’S COMPOSITION OUTER CORE N O I AT S R EG ENT T IN LEM E PROTECTION INTA NGI E L GIB TANFIREPOWER BLE LEADERSHIP MANEUVER INFORMATION INNER CORE SUPPORT PPT-98 -VEG 0 -4 (PFR)

OPERATIONAL MANEUVER

MANEUVER FORCES SCALE GROUND AIR/ SPACE NAVAL MANEUVER TACTICAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC ENCIRCLEMENT FORM DOUBLE MEDIUM SINGLE COMBINED PENETRATION COMBINED WITH THE ONE-SIDED ENVELOPMENT PENETRATION COMBINED WITH THE ECCENTRIC (OR CONCENTRIC) MOVEMENT PPT-96 VEG 042 LAND SEA AIR/SPACE ONE-SIDED TWO-SIDED (DOUBLE) WIDE ENVELOPMENT (TURNING MOVEMENT)

THEORY OF CULMINATING POINT ATTACK ER COMBAT POWER EQUILIBRIUM OF RELATIVE COMBAT POWER CULMINATING POINT DEFENDER’S OBJECTIVE AREA OF UNCERTAINTY OWER P T A COMB DER DEFEN FACTOR OF TIME PPT-00 -VEG 0 -22 (PFR) ATTACKER’S OBJECTIVE FACTOR OF FORCE RELATIVE COMBAT POWER FACTOR OF FORCE FACTOR OF SPACE

ATTACKER’S CULMINATION START OF OFFENSIVE STALLED FACTOR OF SPACE GAINED CANNOT BE HELD STALEMATE DIMINISH ING S TREN CULMINATING POINT OF OFFENSIVE (ATTACK) LINES OF SUPPLIES ATTACKER’S OBJECTIVE C RE F TH O DE FO F THE S ES ER D EN CC NG STRE D SE FACTOR OF TIME LO RELATIVE COMBAT POWER AT ER ING PPT-00 -VEG 0 -24 (PFR) TH E TA CK INCREAS START OF ATTACK OF SU FACTOR OF FORCE GTH ATTACK STALLED

DEFENDER’S CULMINATION START OF DEFENSIVE FACTOR OF SPACE LOST TO THE ATTACKER COUNTER-OFFENSIVE DIMINISH ING S TREN RELATIVE COMBAT POWER FACTOR OF FORCE GTH OF TH E CULMINATING POINT OF AT TA CK ER DEFENDER’S TACTICAL OFFENSIVE OBJECTIVE COUNTER-ATTACKS N FE NGTH STRE REASING DE HE T OF R DE INC START OF DEFENSE PPT-00 -VEG 0 -23 (PFR) COUNTER-ATTACK COUNTER-OFFENSIVE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OF SHIFTING TO COUNTER-ATTACK FACTOR OF TIME

CULMINATING POINT AND THE LEVELS OF WAR LEVEL OF WAR NATIONAL-STRATEGIC THEATER-STRATEGIC FACTOR OF SPACE WAR AS A WHOLE CULMINATING POINT OF VICTORY (OR DEFEAT) CAMPAIGNS AND MAJOR OPERATIONS CULMINATING POINT OF OFFENSIVE (OR DEFENSIVE) OPERATIONALTACTICAL A MAJOR OPERATION CULMINATING POINT OF ATTACK (OR DEFENSE) A MAJOR BATTLE OR AN ENGAGEMENT PPT-00 -VEG 0 -25 (PFR) FACTOR OF TIME OCCURRENCE IT OCCURS ONLY ONCE IN A WAR IT COULD OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES DURING A CAMPAIGN AND ONLY ONCE IN A MAJOR OPERATION IT COULD OCCUR ONLY ONCE IT OCCURS ONLY ONCE IN A MAJOR BATTLE OR AN ENGAGEMENT

REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER ELEMENTS TASKORIENTED TRAINING LARGE-SCALE REPLACEMENT OF PERSONNEL REESTABLISHMENT OF COMMAND CONTROL REST & RECREATION OF PERSONNEL PPT-98 -VEG 0 -46 (PFR) REPAIR & REPLACEMENT OF WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT REPLENISHMENT OF SUPPLIES

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONAL WARFARE

“THERE HAVE EXISTED IN ALL TIMES FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH DEPEND GOOD RESULTS IN WARFARE…. THE PRINCIPLES ARE UNCHANGING, INDEPENDENT OF THE KIND OF WEAPONS, OF HISTORICAL TIME AND OF PLACE. ” BARON ANTOINE HENRI DE JOMINI

PRINCIPLES OF WAR (GENERIC) PRINCIPLES OF WAR SURPRISE MASS SECURITY MANEUVER UNITY OF EFFORT PPT-96 VEG 041 TACTICAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE SIMPLICITY COOPERATION PURPOSE UNITY OF COMMAND OFFENSIVE ECONOMY OF FORCE

METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT

LEVELS OF WAR AND COMBAT FORCES’ EMPLOYMENT NS N O G I I T A PA AM OPER C l A AJOR l. M l CA M l MA PAIGNS J l “M OR OPER IL A l OT ITARY OP TIONS HER THAN ERATION S WAR ” (MO O TW) THEATER STRATEGIC LEVEL OPERATIONAL LEVEL TACTICAL ACTIONS l l l PPT-98 VEG 049 (PFR) BATTLE ENGAGEMENT STRIKE ATTACK ENCOUNTER DUEL l l l SKIRMISH AMBUSH RAID HARASSMENT INFILTRATION PATROL l l l SEARCH SURVEILLANCE OBSERVATION SCOUTING RECONNAISSANCE ETC.

LEVELS OF COMMAND AND METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT METHOD LEVEL OF COMMAND OBJECTIVES NATIONAL* (OR ALLIANCE/ COALITION) LEVEL NATIONAL STRATEGIC NATIONAL-STRATEGIC CAMPAIGNS MAJOR OPERATIONS THEATER CDR A SINGLE OR SEVERAL THEATER-STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL A SINGLE CAMPAIGN MAJOR OPERATIONS • A MAJOR JOINT OPERATION • MAJOR TACTICAL ACTIONS (BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES) • MINOR TACTICAL ACTIONS OPERATIONAL- • TACTICAL ACTIONS TACTICAL • NEO OPERATIONS TACTICAL PPT-96 VEG 09 A TO CDR** • • * NATIONAL COMMAND AUTHORITY COMJTF *** A SINGLE THEATERSTRATEGIC OPERATIONAL MAJOR-TACTICAL COMMANDER ** THEATER OF OPERATIONS CINC STRATEGY • • A SINGLE OR SEVERAL NATIONAL-STRATEGIC MINOR TACTICAL *** COMMANDER JOINT TASK FORCE TACTICS THEATERSTRATEGIC MILITARY ART OPERATIONAL ART LEVEL OF WAR

MAJOR OPERATIONS

MAJOR OPERATION (IN GENERIC TERMS) A MAJOR OPERATION CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES, AND OTHER TACTICAL ACTIONS SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED IN TERMS OF SPACE AND TIME TO ACCOMPLISH AN OPERATIONAL (AND SOMETIMES STRATEGIC) OBJECTIVE IN A GIVEN PART OF THEATER.

SCHEME OF A MAJOR OPERATION MAJOR STAGES BASE OF OPERATIONS X OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT & CONCENTRATION X COMBAT EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT OPERATIONAL MANEUVER XX CONSOLIDATION OF OPERATIONAL REDEPLOYMENT SUCCESS X X FORCE ALFA ENGAGEMENT BATTLE BA TT OPERATION RESERVE EA C OR LE F FORCE BRAVO NT BATTLE E ENGAGEM NT ME E G ENGAGEMENT FORCE DELTA ENGAGEMENT 1 ST PHASE LEGEND DECISIVE POINT MINOR TACTICAL OBJECTIVE MAJOR TACTICAL OBJECTIVE X OPERATIONAL OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE FORCE B FORCE CHARLIE PPT-99 -VEGO-15 (PFR) X A NG E LE TT BA 2 ND PHASE…ETC OPERATIONAL PAUSE REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER C CE D FOR

MAJOR OPERATIONS PRELIMINARY INITIAL SEQUENCE CONSECUTIVE (SUCCESSIVE) MAJOR OPERATIONS PURPOSE MEDIUM/ SERVICE LAND OFFENSIVE (GROUND) DEFENSIVE PRINCIPAL (MAIN) SUPPORTING (ANCILLARY) NAVAL (MARITIME) DEGREE OF SERVICE PARTICIPATION AIR (SPACE) INDEPENDENT JOINT (MULTI-SERVICE) COMBINED (MULTI-NATIONAL) PPT-97 VEG 027

CAMPAIGNS

CAMPAIGN (IN GENERIC TERMS) A CAMPAIGN CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF MAJOR OPERATIONS SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED IN TERMS OF SPACE AND TIME AND AIMED TO ACCOMPLISH A STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE IN A GIVEN THEATER OF OPERATIONS.

SCHEME OF A CAMPAIGN MAJOR STAGES MOBILIZATION DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIC INTRA-THEATER X X BASE OF OPERATIONS MAJOR NAVAL OPERATION THEATER STRATEGIC RESERVE REDEPLOYMENT FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN OR DEMOBILIZATION CONSOLIDATION OF STRATEGIC SUCCESS COMBAT EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT X X X JOINT / COMBINED MAJOR LAND (GROUND) OPERATION X X X X DESIRED END STATE X “INDEPENDENT” MAJOR AIR (SPACE) OPERATION X X STRATEGIC PHASE I CONCENTRATION LEGEND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE PPT-99 -VEGO-16 (PFR) X OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE X PHASE III…. . . ETC. OPERATIONAL PAUSES WAR/CONFLICT TERMINATION OR A DISTINCT PHASE OF WAR POST-HOSTILITIES ACTIVITIES RECONSTITUTION

CAMPAIGNS TIMING CAMPAIGNS SEQUENTIAL (CONSECUTIVE) SIMULTANEOUS (CONCURRENT) DEFENSIVE THEATER STRATEGIC UNPLANNED NATIONAL OR ALLIANCE/COALITION MILITARY STRATEGIC SERVICE PARTICIPATION OPERATIONAL CONTINUUM WAR GLOBAL (GENERAL) REGIONAL (LOCAL) * Denotes predominant features of the medium in which a campaign in conducted ** MOOTW in U. S. terms PPT-97 VEG 028 OFFENSIVE OBJECTIVE PLANNING LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT** PURPOSE COMBINED (MULTI-NATIONAL) JOINT (MULTISERVICE) PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT(MEDIUM) LAND MARITIME

OPERATIONAL PLANNING

DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY (IN GENERIC TERMS) MEANS NATIONAL POLICY ENDS • PHYSICAL SECURITY AND SURVIVAL • POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY • ECONOMIC STABILITY AND WELL BEING • DOMESTIC PEACE AND STABILITY NATIONAL ALLIANCE OR COALITION POLITICAL LEADERSHIP VITAL * NATIONAL (GRAND) STRATEGY INTERESTS UNLIMITED NATIONAL SOURCES OF POWER NATIONAL OBJECTIVE POLITICAL OBJECTIVE LIMITED ANNIHILATION EROSION (ATTRITION) STRATEGIC GUIDANCE MILITARY STRATEGY SUPPORTING STRATEGIES TRADITIONAL NATIONAL INTERESTS NATIONAL GOALS/AIMS • POLITICAL • DIPLOMATIC • ECONOMIC • MILITARY • INFORMATIONAL • SCIENTIFIC • TECHNOLOGICAL • OTHER MILITARY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE THEATER STRATEGY AND THEATER-STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ** SYMMETRIC OR ASYMMETRIC STRATEGIC ESTIMATE COURSES OF ACTION (COAs) STRATEGIC SITUATION STRATEGIC CONCEPTS * NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY IN U. S. TERMS ** WHEN MULTIPLE THEATERS EXIST DECISIONS REVISED/UPDATED MILITARY OR THEATER STRATEGY EMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER

TYPE OF PLANNING OPERATIONAL PLANNING (MAJOR OPERATIONS OR CAMPAIGNS) INTERMEDIATE MILITARY OBJECTIVES INVERSE (REGRESSIVE) PLANNING HERE AND NOW ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE PROGRESSIVE PLANNING NEAR TASK PPT-97 VEG 047 (PFR) FUTURE TASK (BATTLES / ENGAGEMENTS, ETC. ) TACTICAL PLANNING

CAMPAIGN PLAN DEVELOPMENT COMMAND ECHELON • MILITARY-STRATEGIC • THEATER-STRATEGIC COMMANDER (CINC) • THEATER OF OPERATIONS COMMANDER (CINC) STRATEGIC GUIDANCE STRATEGIC ESTIMATE STRATEGIC VISION STAFF ESTIMATES COMMANDER’S ESTIMATE OF THE STRATEGIC SITUATION THE DECISION • OPERATIONAL • ORGANIZATIONAL • • DEPLOYMENT • LOGISTICS • OTHER PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS • THE DECISION STATEMENT • OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) • COMMANDER’S INTENT CAMPAIGN PLANS WAR PPT-99 -VEGO-04 (PFR) CONCEPTS LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT (LIC)

MAJOR OPERATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT HIGHER COMMAND AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS • CAMPAIGN PLAN • OPORD OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE COMMAND ECHELON • SERVICE COMPONENT • JOINT/COMBINED TASK FORCE • ARMY GROUP • ARMY CORPS • NUMBERED AIR FORCE • NUMBERED FLEET COMMANDER OPERATIONAL VISION STAFF ESTIMATES COMMANDER’S ESTIMATE OF THE OPERATIONAL SITUATION THE DECISION • THE DECISION STATEMENT • OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) • COMMANDER’S INTENT PPT-97 VEGO 15 (PFR) PLAN FOR A MAJOR OPERATION (LAND, NAVAL, AIR/SPACE)

OPERATIONAL DESIGN

GUIDANCE • STRATEGIC • OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) OBJECTIVE DESIRED END STATE OPERATIONAL DESIGN DIRECTION/AXIS IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENEMY’S CRITICAL FACTORS 98 -PPT-VEGO-03( es)

OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)

OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) MAJOR OPERATION CAMPAIGN OPERATIONAL IDEA MAJOR LAND OPERATION MAJOR NAVAL OPERATION MAJOR AIR (SPACE) OPERATION PPT-96 VEG 017 (PFR) TACTICAL CONCEPTS MARITIME ELEMENTS GROUND ELEMENTS AIR (SPACE) ELEMENTS SPECIAL FORCES ELEMENTS

OPERATIONAL IDEA FEATURES FULL USE OF DECEPTION SPEED IN EXECUTION CREATIVE AND NOVEL OPERATIONAL IDEA MULTIPLE OPTIONS PPT-96 VEG 021 NO DISCERNIBLE PATTERNS FULL USE OF AMBIGUITY

OPERATIONAL DESIGN FOR A CAMPAIGN (IN GENERIC TERMS) INTERIOR VS. EXTERIOR GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION DESIRED END STATE * OPERATIONAL DESIGN REQUIRED FORCES AND ASSETS OPERATIONA L FACTORS • ULTIMATE (STRATEGIC) OBJECTIVE • INTERMEDIATE (OPERATIONAL) OBJECTIVES METHODS FOR DEFEATING THE ENEMY STRATEGIC OR OPERATIONAL DIRECTION / AXIS COORDINATION IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENEMY’S CRITICAL FACTORS AND STRATEGIC CENTER OF GRAVITY RECONSTITUTION SELECTED PRINCIPLES OF WAR BRANCHES AND SEQUELS OPERATIONAL PHASING APPLICATION OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) ANTICIPATING ONE’S OWN STRATEGIC CULMINATION POINT SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST) CONCENTRATION IN THE SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST) POINT OF MAIN ATTACK (DEFENSE) OPERATIONAL PAUSE OPERATIONAL TEMPO STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL DECEPTION OPERATIONAL MANEUVER ** * FOR A CAMPAIGN THAT ENDS HOSTILITIES ** FOR EACH MAJOR OPERATION IN A CAMPAIGN PROTECTION OF ONE’S OWN STRATEGIC COG OPERATIONAL MOMENTUM STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL RESERVES STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT

OPERATIONAL DESIGN FOR A MAJOR OPERATION INTERIOR VS. EXTERIOR LINES DESIRED END STATE * OPERATIONAL DESIGN REQUIRED FORCES AND ASSETS OPERATIONA L FACTORS METHODS OF DEFEATING THE ENEMY’S OPERATIONAL COG • ULTIMATE (OPERATIONAL) OBJECTIVE • INTERMEDIATE (MAJOR TACTICAL) OBJECTIVES OPERATIONAL OR TACTICAL DIRECTION / AXIS COORDINATION * REGENERATION OF COMBAT POTENTIAL BRANCHES AND SEQUELS SELECTED PRINCIPLES OF WAR OPERATIONAL PHASING APPLICATION OF AVAILABLE COMBAT POTENTIAL OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) OPERATIONAL PAUSE ANTICIPATING ONE’S OWN CULMINATION POINT SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST) OPERATIONAL TEMPO CONCENTRATION AT SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST) POINT OF MAIN ATTACK (DEFENSE) IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENEMY’S CRITICAL FACTORS AND OPERATIONAL CENTER OFGRAVITY OPERATIONAL DECEPTION OPERATIONAL MANEUVER PROTECTION OF ONE’S OWN OPERATIONAL COG * FOR A MAJOR OPERATION PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH A STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE. OPERATIONAL MOMENTUM OPERATIONAL RESERVE OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT

OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP

OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP ARMY CORPS ? ? COMMANDERS THEATERSTRATEGIC COMMANDERS OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP THEATER/ NUMBERED AIR FORCE COMMANDERS THEATER OF OPERATIONS COMMANDERS THEATER/ NUMBERED ARMY COMMANDERS SERVICE COMPONNENT COMMANDERS MILITARY/NAVAL DISTRICT COMMANDERS THEATER/ NUMBERED FLEET COMMANDERS JOINT TASK FORCE COMMANDERS PPT-97 VEGO 53

OPERATIONAL COMMANDER’S REQUIREMENTS PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE OPERATIONAL THINKING INITIATIVE DECISIVENESS HONESTY STEADFASTNESS OF PURPOSE MORAL COURAGE LEADING BY PERSONAL EXAMPLE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS SOUND JUDGMENT TOUGHNESS CREATIVENESS BOLDNESS PERSISTENCE PPT-97 VEGO 54 B MENTAL AGILITY HIGH INTELLECT ABILITY TO PROVIDE MOTIVATION AND INSTILL PURPOSE

TENETS OF OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP INDIRECT APPROACH ABSOLUTE PRIMACY OF POLICY & STRATEGY UNWAVERING FOCUS ON THE OBJECTIVE APPLICATION OF OVERWHELMING FORCE BALANCING THE ENDS, MEANS, AND WAYS CONCENTRATION AT THE “WEIGHT OF EFFORT” SELECTION OF THE PROPER “WEIGHT OF EFFORT” TENETS (CARDINAL RULES) OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING FREEDOM OF ACTION INITIATIVE JOINTNESS EMPLOYMENT OF ALL AVAILABLE MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER WILLINGNESS TO TAKE HIGH RISKS ACTING IN AN UNPREDICTABLE MANNER PPT-97 VEGO 41 (PFR)

OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING FREEDOM OF ACTION OPERATIONAL COMMANDER INITIATIVE FACTORS AFFECTING FREEDOM OF ACTION • ASSIGNED OBJECTIVES/TASKS • COMBAT POWER OF ONE’S OWN / FRIENDLY FORCES • ENEMY’S COMBAT POWER • ENEMY’S DECISIONS AND ACTIONS • COMMAND & CONTROL STRUCTURE • COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS PPT-97 VEGO 42 (PR) • • • • • TASK-ORIENTED ORDERS MENTAL AGILITY FORCES’ MOBILITY SURPRISE OFFENSIVE ANTICIPATION ABILITY TO DEPLOY OPERATIONAL RESERVES ETC. DECISION CYCLE INTELLIGENCE GIVEN SPACE TIME AVAILABLE FORCES BECOMING AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT • OPERATIONAL PROTECTION • OPERATIONAL RESERVE

TYPE OF DECISIONS OPERATIONAL COMMANDER ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATIONAL OPERATIONAL PPT-97 VEGO 52

THE FUTURE

• WARS WILL BE WON OR LOST AT THE OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEVEL; HENCE, THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF OPERATIONAL ART WILL NOT BE REDUCED • INFORMATION WILL INCREASINGLY AFFECT THE FACTORS OF SPACE, TIME AND FORCE • NEW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES WILL COMPRESS SPACE AND TIME SEPARATING LEVELS OF WAR • HOWEVER, THE NEED FOR THE OPERATIONAL LEVELS OF COMMAND WILL REMAIN.

• NEW METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT WILL EMERGE • STRIKES WILL REPLACE BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS, WHILE MAJOR OPERATIONS WILL BECOME THE MAIN METHOD OF COMBAT EMPLOYMENT TO ACCOMPLISH NOT ONLY OPERATIONAL BUT ALSO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A GIVEN PART OF THEATER.