Army Doctrine and Irregular Warfare

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the need for the US Army to publish a distinct warfighting doctrine for irregular warfare in the new FM 100- 5, Operations. The emerging Army doctrine applies to the entire range of conflict, including 'operations short of war.' However, the current literature limits the Army to a support role in the level of conflict previously known as 'low intensity conflict.' Warfighting in the traditional sense is focused on the application of decisive combat, using a modified version of the 'AirLand Battle' doctrine. The thesis reviews the history and theory of irregular war as a distinct form of conflict that requires a different way of thinking about war. Characterized by protracted conflict and the integration of part-time, non- professional soldiers, the history of irregular warfare demonstrates consistent fundamental differences in the conduct of operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 05, 1992
Accession Number
ADA258521

Entities

People

  • Michael A. Sheehan

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • American Revolution
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Guerrilla Warfare
  • Low Intensity Conflict
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Students
  • United States
  • United States Military Academy
  • Vietnam War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies