Levels of War and Strategic Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war, as well as various strategies and concepts relevant to military operations.

strategic level of war

The widest possible set of factors that bear upon the war.

operational level of war

Level at which campaigns and major operations are conducted and sustained to accomplish strategic objectives within theaters.

tactical level of war

Level of individual battles, immediate preparations for battle, and arrangement of troops in their battle positions.

strategy of exhaustion

A strategy that seeks the gradual erosion of an enemy nation's will or means to resist.

strategy of attrition

A strategy that seeks the gradual erosion of the combat power of the enemy's armed forces.

strategy of annihilation

A strategy that seeks the immediate destruction of the combat power of the enemy's armed forces.

center of gravity

Source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act.

Fog and friction of war

Fog is the uncertainty inherent to all military operations; friction refers to the difficulty of accomplishing even the simplest tasks under the conditions of warfare.

Decisive point

A point that, when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an adversary.