Ensuring the LSCO Paradigm Remains Relevant

Abstract

The US Army is growing towards the national strategic aims inherent in Great Power Competition by focusing modernization and accessions towards a force ready for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). While LSCO may be the most effective target paradigm for interwar preparation given the growing military capabilities of great power competitors such as China and Russia, it may also lead the Army into a narrow cognitive mindset that prohibits flexibility. In this event, the Army will experience similar difficulties adjusting to the operational environment as were evident in 2003 after successful offensive operations into Iraq transitioned to long-term limited contingency operations. This paper contains an argument to ensure the target paradigm used by the US Army to prepare for future conflict is relevant to the strategic context in order to ensure modernization efforts are effective to prepare for future conflict. Army Design Methodology as well as fundamental design concepts support the argument.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 2020
Accession Number
AD1159740

Entities

People

  • Ryan B. Rothchild

Organizations

  • School of Advanced Military Studies

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Governments
  • International Organizations
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Capabilities
  • Military Strategy
  • Multi-Domain Operations
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Organizational Structure
  • Short Range Air Defense
  • Space Systems
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies