Changing Attitudes and Changing Latitudes: The Impact of Changes in the Strategic Environment on Tactical Doctrine

Abstract

This monograph examines the linkage between U.S. Army tactical doctrine and changes in the strategic environment. If change in the strategic environment as codifed by policy is not understood by soldiers then there is a danger that the Army will produce a doctrine incompatible with the needs of the country. This monograph uses the rational actor model to establish the link between the two variables. The monograph applies the model across three instances of U.S. Army tactical doctrinal change in the Eisenhower, Nixon, and Bush Administrations. The analysis reveals that the Army leadership made a conscious effort to translate the strategic policy of each Administration into a doctrine that would produce victory on the battlefield. Finally, the study concludes by examining the future of doctrinal change in an era of strategic and operational uncertainty. It proposes that future change be guided by four criteria: relevance, achievability, acceptability, and adaptability....Doctrine, Strategy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 08, 1993
Accession Number
ADA262625

Entities

People

  • John P. Medve

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Defense
  • Air Force
  • Army Operations
  • Case Studies
  • Doctrine
  • Force Structure
  • International Organizations
  • Military Doctrine
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Military Strategy
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies