Discarding the Saber: An Assessment of the Utility of the Phasing Construct in Operational Campaign Design
Abstract
This monograph asserts that phasing as a tenet of operational art has outlived its usefulness. Phasing as a component of campaign design worked effectively in the industrial age of symmetrical opponents, but has lost its usefulness in the contemporary and future operational environment characteristic of the information age. The monograph uses three primary lenses; Toffler's Third Wave, Systems Theory, and Complexity to analyze the phasing construct and determine its continued utility. Chapter One is an introduction to the problem, establishes the research questions and methodology for the rest of the monograph. Chapter Two traces the history of phasing and lays out the conditions when phasing is effective. Chapter Three introduces the concepts of Toffler's Third Wave, Systems Theory and Complexity and compares these concepts to the phasing construct. Chapter Four introduces the case studies of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Chapter Five analyzes the case studies using the concepts of Chapter Three. Chapter Six of the monograph draws conclusions from the study. Chapter Seven briefly introduces phasing alternatives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435899
Entities
People
- Mark J. Hovatter
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College