Strategic Drift and U.S. Army Operational Logic

Abstract

This monograph examines US Army operational thought to identify how it has been shaped by the Army's underlying culture. It suggests that the Army has not undergone a paradigm shift in its view of war since at least World War II. Instead of reconceptualizing and transforming, the Army's fundamental beliefs, values, and assumptions have remained consistent over time, simply with new expressions and manifestations. This monograph argues that many of the problems the US Army faces, whether in theory, practice, or doctrine, are the result of strategic drift - the tension between its underlying perspectives and the emerging realities of conflict. The monograph suggests that if the US Army is to remain relevant, it will require escaping its current paradigm of conflict, warfare, and war.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 14, 2019
Accession Number
AD1159929

Entities

People

  • Peter C. Vangjel

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Civil War
  • Cognition
  • Combat Areas
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Conventional Warfare
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • Information Systems
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Psychology
  • Students
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies