Operational Art and its Relevance to Army Logisticians
Abstract
The Army needs more logisticians who are operational artists and know what operational art is and how to use it. Operational art represents the cornerstone of United States Army doctrine. Its concept represents the common thread that focuses military systems towards strategic goals. Developing a common shared understanding of a military problem is essential for large planning staffs. Operational artists (including logistics planners) focus planning efforts and prevent paralysis by breaking linear paradigms and avoiding methodism. Their unique perspectives, derived from intense study of operational art, provide a catalyst that synergizes staff efforts. The School of Advanced Military Studies provides the only formal education program that produces operational artists. This program is available to CSS officers. Leveraging this program to put more logisticians who understand operational art in the field is a continuing challenge. This monograph asserts that understanding operational art is essential for logisticians assigned as operational planners. It suggests that focused study of its constrnct and practiced application, to a variety of "double bind" problems, is required before the student makes the leap from linear paradigms to the artist's realm of the possible. This paper also asserts that graduates of SAMS are operational artists; a term that is accepted within the SAMS community but rarely enjoys recognition elsewhere. Key to supporting these assertions are definitions (still hotly debated in many circles) of operational art and the affributes (criteria) of the operational artist. The monograph focus narrows to assist the reader in developing a personal definition of operational art and then identifies some criteria essential for defining the artist. It is important to note that these deliverables are real and achievable. In-depth study of operational art is a necessity if operational logisticians are to significantly contribute to planning at this level. c
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 06, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA374801
Entities
People
- Steven T. Mitchell
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College