The U.S. Army and Ground Combat Theory
Abstract
This monograph examines the role of theory in the development of warfighting concepts and doctrine. It describes the nature and potential importance of theory and provides examples of successful and unsuccessful application of theory in war. The paper examines how doctrine writers have considered classical and contemporary theory in developing U.S. Army doctrine since 1976. It shows that the current writers of the draft FM 100-5, Operations, and the AirLand Battle-Future Umbrella Concept are considering theory in developing their documents. The monograph concludes that the U.S. Army does not have an explicit, contemporary theory of ground combat, even though we use theoretical constructs in developing concepts and doctrine. The paper provides models which demonstrate how we can use theoretical constructs in developing concepts and doctrine. The paper provides models which demonstrate how we can incorporate a theory of ground combat into the TRADOC Concept Based Requirements System (CBRS). The monograph states that the Army should develop an explicit, contemporary, comprehensive theory of ground combat to assist us in forecasting the nature of future wars. Finally, the monograph examines theory within the national context.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA238239
Entities
People
- Ricky M. Rowlett
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College