Principles of War

Overview
Video History Principles of War

Video

History
Sun Tzu Napoleon

JFC Fuller

Principle of War
Objective Offensive Mass Economy of force Maneuver Unity of command Security Surprise Simplicity

Objective
Directs military operations toward a defined and attainable objective that contributes to strategic, operational, or tactical aims.

Offensive
Dictates that we act rather than react and dictate the time, place, purpose, scope, intensity, and pace of operations. The initiative must be seized, retained, and fully exploited.

Mass Concentrates combat power at the decisive time and place.

Mass in WWII

Mass Today

Economy of Force
Creates usable mass by using minimum combat power on secondary objectives. Makes fullest use of forces available.

Maneuver
Places the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power.

Unity of Command
Ensures unity of effort for every objective under one responsible commander.

Security
Protects friendly forces and their operations from enemy actions which could provide the enemy with unexpected advantage.

Surprise
Strikes the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared.

Simplicity
Avoids unnecessary complexity in preparing, planning, and conducting military operations.

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Summary
Video History Principles of War