Operational Art's Hypothetical Imperative: Analysis of Force and Will.

Abstract

THE POWER OF RESISTANCE IS THE PRODUCT OF TWO INSEPARABLE FACTORS: TOTAL MEANS AT THE ENEMY'S DISPOSAL; THE STRENGTH OF THE OPPONENT'S WILL. BECAUSE THE CONCEPT OF WILL HAS AN INTANGIBLE NATURE, MILITARY PLANNERS OFTEN DIMINISH ITS IMPORTANCE IN OPERATIONAL PLANNING. THE OPPONENT'S MEANS ARE TANGIBLE, MEASURABLE, AND QUANTIFIABLE, AND THUS BECOME THE OVER ZEALOUS YARDSTICK IN DETERMINING THE POWER OF RESISTANCE. HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING FOR BOTH FACTORS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT. THE COMMANDER, USING HIS EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND JUDGMENT, MUST FORMULATE THE 'TOTAL' ASSESSMENT (MEANS AND WILL) IN ORDER TO TRULY EXCEL AT THE OPERATIONAL ART.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 07, 1997
Accession Number
ADA325153

Entities

People

  • Daniel E. Liddell

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Battles
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Classification
  • Cohesion
  • Concrete
  • Doctrine
  • Gravity
  • History
  • Leadership
  • Military Doctrine
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Planning
  • Perception
  • Security
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).
  • Theoretical Analysis.