Continuity and Evolution: General Donn A. Starry and Doctrinal Change in the U.S. Army, 1974-1982
Abstract
The historiography of doctrinal change in the US Army that began with the publication of the 1976 version of FM 100-5, Operations, and ended with its replacement in 1982, settles on a general claim of controversy and rejection as the source of doctrinal change. In the broader narrative, the 1976 version of FM 100-5, nicknamed Active Defense, lacked senior leader and organizational consensus, and once its main author, General William E. DePuy retired, the Army rejected both the doctrine and the author's methods, and instead choose a path that led to the 1982 version of FM 100-5, nicknamed AirLand Battle. This monograph argues that the historical record fails to validate this claim. While the record does demonstrate some controversy, it nevertheless fails to show direct causation between controversy and doctrinal change, as it does not link controversy and rejection to the influence of those with the authority to direct and approve change. Close examination of primary sources of the period quickly undermines the supposed influence of rejection and controversy. Once discarded, the monograph argues that the source of change centers on the critical role and indispensible influence of General Donn A. Starry. His career, centering on his command and staff experience from 1968-1982, places him among the main sources of reform and change, of continuity and evolution, during this period. His writings serve to clarify the thinking of the period, logically linking ideas on doctrinal change to context, while also linking the threads of history to the new realities of warfare. To that extent, Starry never deviated from the necessity of combined arms warfare, but he extended the idea of combined arms into a total concept known as AirLand Battle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA566186
Entities
People
- Aaron J. Kaufman
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College