A REVIEW OF THE CONCEPT OF MILITARY WORTH AND ITS APPLICATION IN MILITARY DECISION MAKING

Abstract

Military decision problems are growing increasingly more complex, requiring rigorous structured methods to be applied for superior solutions and decisions. In many cases the military decision-maker is faced with a set of alternatives from which he must choose. Rational and consistant judgement can only be made by attempting to maximize the military value or utility of this decision. The decision-making process is described, along with a structured approach to military decision-making by economic analysis and the application of mathematical techniques. Some basic elements of measurement theory and utility theory are dealt with because of their importance to military worth scales and military worth measurement. The military worth concept is developed and commented on. The use of psychometric techniques of introspection and behaviorism and the use of game theory are examined as possible methods in developing measures of military worth. The application of military worth techniques to some general decision-making problems and to some specific logistical decision-making problems is discussed. Finally, a most important step forward in the measurement of military value through readiness indicies is reviewed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0479605

Entities

People

  • Robert L. Brewin

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Commerce
  • Cost Effectiveness
  • Costs
  • Economic Analysis
  • Game Theory
  • Human Behavior
  • Inventory Control
  • Judgment
  • Logistics
  • Measurement
  • National Security
  • Operations Research
  • Personnel Management
  • Probability
  • Recreation
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.