Advancing under Fire: Wartime Change and the U.S. Military
Abstract
This study examines the underlying conditions necessary for making major changes during wartime. It first surveys the relevant literature covering both military and organizational change to build hypotheses about wartime change. It then develops a framework and typology with which to study change in the complex endeavor of a military at war. Finally, it uses the United States military's experiences in World War II, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism (i.e., Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom) as case studies with which to test these hypotheses and derive conclusions about the conditions under which change may occur during wartime. Changes that occurred during World War II involved Anti-Submarine Warfare, Sonar, Radar, High-Frequency Direction-Finding Systems, Amphibious Operations, Airborne Doctrine, Gliders, Parachutes, Mounted Cavalry, Bazookas, Hedgerow Warfare, Close Air Support, Air power, Daylight Precision Bombing, Norden Bombsight, Nighttime Low-Level Incendiary Bombing, Unmanned Bombers, Marine Raiders, Long-Range Escort Fighters, and Air Commandos. Changes that occurred during the Vietnam War involved Large Unit Operations, M16 Rifle, Pacification, SEAL Teams, Riverine Warfare, Amphibious Ready Groups, Special Landing Forces, Civilian Irregular Defense Groups, Combined Action Platoons, Search-and-Destroy, M113 Vehicles, Vertical Envelopment, Helicopters, Airmobile Divisions, Farm Gate, Herbicidal Warfare, Advanced Tactical Support Bases, Laser-Guided Bombs, Aerial Mining, Fixed-Wing Gunships, Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) Doctrine, and B-52 Conventional Bombing. Changes mandated by OEF and OIF involve Improvised Explosive Device countermeasures, HMMWV Armor Modifications, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles, Human Terrain System, Counter-Scud Task Forces, Time-Sensitive Targeting, Counterinsurgency Doctrine, Bomber CAS, Small-Diameter Bombs, Armed UAVs, Advanced Targeting Pods, and Manportable UAVs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA493806
Entities
People
- Robert A. Masaitis
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School