The Application of Doctrinal Language to Mission Statements in Low Intensity Environments

Abstract

"Conduct a presence patrol in order to maintain stability in the area" may say a great many things to your average squad leader, but it does not tell him his mission. Maneuver warfare requires decentralized command, and hence mission tactics are central from the practical perspective of considering how to apply doctrine to action. While certainly this means commanders should avoid specifying some details of "how the mission must be accomplished" and requires "a subordinate's exercise of initiative framed by proper guidance and understanding," in a sense of real-world execution it also means the subordinate must be tasked with a mission. Difficulties in effectively assigning tasks in less than high-intensity environments arise from ineffective application of doctrinal language, not a lack of applicable doctrine.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA510357

Entities

People

  • Lapinsky

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Fire Support
  • Force Protection
  • Intensity
  • Language
  • Maneuvers
  • Marine Corps
  • Marine Corps Operations
  • Military Education
  • Military Science
  • New York
  • Security
  • Training
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design