Key Concepts

War

the use of Violence to achieve Political Ends, characterized by Fog and Friction

Conventional War

a violent struggle between nation-states or coalitions, and alliances of nation-states, fought with conventional forces

Irregular War

characterized by its objectives of influencing a population or exhausting the enemy’s will, employing or combatting guerrillas, insurgents, terrorists, commandos, and/or clandestine or covert forces

Strategic

The level of warfare at which a nation determines national or multinational guidance, develops strategic objectives, then develops and commits national resources to achieve those objectives

Operational

The level of warfare in which campaigns and operations are planned, conducted, and sustained to achieve operational objectives to support achievement of strategic objectives

Tactical

The level of warfare at which forces plan and execute battles and engagements to achieve military objectives

Attrition

the gradual reduction of the enemy’s means

Annihilation

the rapid or instantaneous destruction of the enemy’s means, ideally in a single, climactic battle

Exhaustion

the gradual destruction of the enemy’s will

Shock

the paralysis of the enemy’s will through the rapid or instantaneous disruption of its social fabric, or the paralysis of its decision making through the rapid or instantaneous disruption of command-and-control mechanisms

Extirpation

the deliberate extermination of the enemy population

Deterrence

the prevention of action by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction, or the belief that the cost of action outweighs the perceived benefits

Center of Gravity

The source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act

Decisive Point

Key terrain, key event, critical factor, or function that, when acted upon, enables commanders to gain a marked advantage over an enemy or contribute materially to achieving success

Direct

Concentration of force against the principal enemy force

Indirect

Concentration of force against the enemy’s weakness, often employing deception or misdirection

Combined Arms

Coordinated use of infantry, cavalry, and artillery

Joint Operations

Coordinated use of land, sea, and/or air forces

Combined Operations

Multinational/coalition operations

Ends

desired outcomes or objectives

Ways

methods or courses of action to achieve ends

Means

available resources (diplomatic, information, military, economic)

G1

Personnel

G2

Intelligence

G3

Operations

G4

Logistics

G5

Plans

G6

Communications

Air Superiority (Control of the Air)

Ensuring that you, not your enemy, has freedom of the air

Strike (Attack)

kinetic use of airpower against surface targets, either in close air support, interdiction, or strategic bombing

Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (ISR)

finding and learning about the enemy

Mobility

use of aircraft to transport equipment or personnel

Distinction

Requires distinguishing between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives. Attacks may only be directed against military objectives

Necessity

Limits force to that required to overcome the enemy

Proportionality

Attacks that cause incidental harm to civilians or civilian property must be proportionate to the anticipated military advantage

Humanity

Requires alleviating human suffering and protecting individuals not (or no longer) taking part in hostilities