Pershing Against the Moros: A Paradigm for Successful Military Operations Other Than War.
Abstract
It has become almost axiomatic that the future challenges to the U.S. military will fall largely into the category which joint doctrine labels Military Operations Other Then War (MOOTH) - Pershing's operations against the Moros in the Philippines from 1901 to 1903 span the range of MOOTH from humanitarian assistance to counterinsurgency. There is a timeless quality about the lessons which can be learned from this case study--particularly as an example of a successful application of the principles of MOOTH. Of special interest are the lessons concerning the principles of restraint, perseverance and legitimacy. Pershing's enduring lesson in restraint is not about the battles he won at low cost, rather it is about the battles he avoided. His patient and dogged pursuit of making friends of the Moros using all the elements of power was part1cularly%mastarful. Finally, legitimacy, the glue that held the entire effort together, was carefully%co?1structed by Pershing's personal contact, demonstra%ed fairness, end use of Moro self-interest to get them to "buy in" to American sovereignty. Clearly, no two MOOTM scenarios will be exactly the same. Thus Pershing's solutions most likely cannot be co-opted (n toto--there is no one size fits all here. However, this does not nullify the value of this case study. Pershing's successful subjugation of fanatical followers of Islam still has utility today and are well worth the study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA348522
Entities
People
- Garrett R. Ambert
Organizations
- Naval War College