Maneuver Warfare Theory and the Operational Level of War: Misguiding the Marine Corps?

Abstract

The maneuver warfare theory became the basis for Marine Corps doctrine in 1989. The maneuver theory represents a fundamental change in the way the Marine Corps plans to fight future wars. From the balanced combined arms force prior to 1989, this theory postulates the primacy of maneuver and the operational level of war. Inherent in the concept of maneuver is the idea that movement within the decision cycle of an enemy is the key to victory at any level of war. Maneuver warfare is a style of warfare which alleges to be superior to the concept of firepower/attrition. It is the soundness of this theory which forms the basis of this monograph. History forms the primary source of theory. From theory flows the operational, and then tactical doctrine which forces employ to attain victory on the battlefield. Doctrine forms the basis for training and force structure.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 07, 1991
Accession Number
ADA240346

Entities

People

  • G. S. Lauer

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Attrition
  • Civil War
  • Combat Forces
  • Doctrine
  • Force Structure
  • International Security
  • Landing Forces
  • Marine Corps
  • Military Doctrine
  • Military History
  • New York
  • Periodicals
  • Security
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies