Influence Takes Primacy: A New Approach to Military Thinking

Abstract

Traditional military thinking has left US Forces with the notion that the best way to achieve military strategic objectives in war is through force based attritional warfare. Military capabilities are aimed at destroying the strong arm of the opposing force but this method does not definitively solve the problem. There is a cognitive decision-making force behind the opposing military that provides purpose, direction and motivation to conduct operations. Influencing the cognitive decision-making force through synchronized actions on the battlefield can shape and change enemy behavior to enable the achievement of US military strategic objectives. Creating an influence LOE as the primary supported effort in an operation allows for the synchronization necessary to shape enemy behavior. Whether its fighter planes, naval cruisers, or light infantry every entity in the US arsenal is a messaging platform and should be employed as such.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 16, 2021
Accession Number
AD1145539

Entities

People

  • Andrew Gendron

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Case Studies
  • Civil Affairs
  • Department Of Defense
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • Instructors
  • Military Capabilities
  • Military Operations
  • Schools
  • Second World War
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Communications
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.