Deception for the Operational Commander
Abstract
This paper focuses on deception for the operational commander. Deception is a powerful force multiplier that can acquire opportunities and advantages of special benefit to commanders of U.S. forces. This paper aggregates recognized deception theories, discusses their applicability for today's operational commander. Specifically, the benefits and liabilities of deception, its operational imperatives, and the deception tools available to the commander will be examined, with references to historical strategic and operational examples. Successful stratagem is cheap, extremely effective, and can provide opportunities for low own-force costs and casualties, and rapid conflict resolution. Commanders should avoid the historic pitfall of viewing deception as unnecessary. Rather, stratagem should be considered another tool to aid in achieving his objectives. Conversely, the commander should expect his enemies to incorporate deception into all levels of wartime planning. Benefits, Liabilities, Deception imperatives, Deception tools.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279495
Entities
People
- Debroah A. Headrick
Organizations
- Naval War College