Operational Art and Low Intensity Conflict

Abstract

As the United States Army's doctrinal renaissance has advanced, much attention has been given to the subjects of low intensity conflict (LIC) and operational art. This essay examines the relationships between operational art and LIC. Doctrinally, LIC includes a wide range of activities. The LIC activities that are addressed by operational art are foreign internal defense, and peacetime contingency operations involving the deployment of forces to secure strategic objectives. Although doctrine for LIC campaigning is required, there are significant challenges to its development. The primary role of the military leadership in a theater of LIC operations is to ensure the successful prosecution of campaigns through the application of combat power. LIC campaigning should be examined in the context of the dynamics of combat power (leadership, maneuver, protection, and firepower). The actual implications of these dynamics are frequently different from what they would be in higher- intensity conflict. The campaign plan should consitute a framework for the orchestrated application of all elements of national power.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 23, 1987
Accession Number
ADA180152

Entities

People

  • Sealon R. Wentzel Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Central America
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Conventional Warfare
  • El Salvador
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Psychological Operations
  • Societies
  • Terrorism
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Allergy and Immunology.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.