A Genius for Future War
Abstract
As the United States Military approaches the 21st Century we have every reason to be proud and confident of our position in the world. Still, nothing ever remains the same and the 21st Century will be no different in that respect. In fact, the impact of three emerging factors of change may be so great as to alter the very nature of war and how nations employ their armed forces. Those three factors are, the expansion of battlespace, the impact of information, and chaos and complexity. In light of the changing nature of war, we must continue to improve our Armed Forces to remain the finest military in the world and to continue to be the most effective possible instrument of national strategy. This improvement must encompass all facets of things military, including, organizations, operational concepts, technologies, readiness and training, our servicemen, and leadership. Of the facets listed above, the most important is leadership. The best equipment, concepts, and servicemen can never realize their potential without the finest possible leadership, what Clausewltz called "a genius for war." In his theoretical work, On War, Clausewitz developed the nature of war, deriving from that nature the need for genius in war and the attributes of that genius. As we enter the 21st Century, we need a "Genius for Future War." While Clausewitz' attributes of genius in war (Courage, Strength, and Coup D'oeil) remain valid; to build genius for future war we must develop leaders who can excel as the nature of war adapts to the three critical change factors certified above. This paper reviews Clausewltz attributes of genius in war in the context of the nature of war. We then examine how the nature of war, and thus the attributes of genius, will change in the early 21st Century. Finally, we will suggest how the United States Armed Forces can develop A Genius for Future War.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 02, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA442705
Entities
People
- James K. Greer
Organizations
- National War College