Operational Initiative: What is it and How do We get It?

Abstract

This monograph examines how AirLand Battle doctrine defines and utilizes the term initiative, and how initiative can be achieved at the operational level of war. It concludes that, while doctrine defines initiative as setting the terms of battle by action, the term is frequently used in lieu of, or synonymously, with the terms attack or offensive. This results in doctrinal confusion and an ambiguous doctrinal tenet. To counter this, the author proposes a definition which stresses freedom of action as the manifestation of initiative. The basis for this definition is drawn from the views of several prominent military theorists which are presented in this study.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 11, 1990
Accession Number
ADA234015

Entities

People

  • Randall R. Hill

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter IED
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Battles
  • Classification
  • Deception
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Far Infrared Radiation
  • Ions
  • Military Doctrine
  • Mobile Operating Systems
  • New York
  • Operating Systems
  • Schools
  • Security
  • Students
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.