Understanding Risk

Abstract

Risk is a word frequently used but seldom discussed or understood in the U.S. Army. This study examines the general topics of risk and risk taking primarily at the operational level. The intent is to develop an understanding of risk and its effects on the battlefield. The study explores the relationship and impact of doctrine, uncertainty, boldness, potential losses or gains, and the impact of the U.S. military heritage on risk and risk taking. The nature of risk is analyzed; its paradoxes, effects of age and experience on risk taking, and the nature of group dynamics on risk is explored. Market Garden and Inchon are studied as examples of the dynamic nature of battlefield risk and appropriate and inappropriate risk taking. Finally some general conclusions are developed about the requirements to develop risk takers in the U.S. Army and the need to take risk on the battlefield.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 21, 1990
Accession Number
ADA220625

Entities

People

  • Alan Walter

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amphibious Operations
  • Battlefields
  • Case Studies
  • Civil War
  • Classification
  • Doctrine
  • Geography
  • Human Behavior
  • Personality
  • Risk
  • Risk Analysis
  • Second World War
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • War Games
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design
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