Building the Will to Fight -- Prerequisite to Winning the AirLand Battle,
Abstract
This monograph discusses the relationship between the Army's AirLand Battle doctrine and the individual's will to fight and contends that this doctrine relies heavily on individual and sub-unit success. It further contends that tactical success will not be achieved unless individual soldiers and primary groups have internalized a will to fight. Several methods of instilling the will to fight at the individual and primary group level are discussed. Also examined are the dispersing effects of modern battle and the concomitant development of decentralized command and control systems. Establishes the need for a strong will to fight in a system of decentralized execution. In describing methods of building a will to fight, this paper first establishes the fact that cohesion alone is insufficient and then establishes the importance of four elements required in building an aggressive will to fight--a masculine challenge, a combat creed, patriotism, and ties to a heroic past. Lastly, the paper describes the minimum requirements for using these elements in instilling a will to seek the defeat of the enemy. The paper demonstrates the need for the integration of the will-to-fight program into routine training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA179629
Entities
People
- Michael L. Combest
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College