Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Principles of War: Offensive

The Principles of War can be used to understand the relationship between a battle in 253 B.C. and one in 1992 A.D. They can also be used to analyze martial arts training and optimize the skills and capabilities of the martial artist.

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ffensive
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The third letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Offensive”. On page 4-13 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0 “Offensive” is defined.

Offensive

"Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.

"4-38. Offensive action is key to achieving decisive results. It is the essence of successful operations. Offensive actions are those taken to dictate the nature, scope, and tempo of an operation. They force the enemy to react. Commanders use offensive actions to impose their will on an enemy, adversary, or situation. Offensive operations are essential to maintain the freedom of action necessary for success, exploit vulnerabilities, and react to rapidly changing situations and unexpected developments.”

In any violent confrontation it’s extremely difficult and rare to “win” while staying on defense.

Robert E. Lee “won” the Civil War battle of Fredericksburg on defense. While his Army of Northern Virginia defended a fortified mountain ridge Union General Ambrose E. Burnside’s Army of the Potomac charged Lee’s positions in what, a hundred years later, would be called human wave attacks.

Burnside failed to dislodge Lee and finally gave up leaving Lee in command of the field. Lee won the battle. But because nothing was decided that day Lee followed the Union Army setting up the battle of Chancellorsville.

Even when a “win” seems to come from the defensive it’s rarely true. In American football it’s commonly said that the defense wins championships. Clearly, a powerful defensive squad is a strategic advantage. But except for the unusual event of a 2-point safety where the defense tackles the opposing ball carrier in his own team’s end zone or a fumble recovery in the opposing team’s end zone – points are scored on offense.

When the ball is kicked through the uprights or a ball carrier is found in the opposing end zone with both feet having touched the ground and in control of the football - the team on offense has scored - even when the ball carrier is a member of his team’s defensive squad.

In self-defense you can get a “win” by getting away, but in most cases escape will be possible only after you have taken aggressive action to create an escape opportunity.

If you shoot someone in self defense you draw a weapon, aim, and pull the trigger – you’ve taken offensive action. In nearly all cases winning requires offensive action.

A martial art must be built around a rapid conversion from defense to offense. Aikido is supposed to be defensive only. However, as Professor Ernie Cates has often said – “Hit him with the biggest weapon you’ve got – that’s usually the parking lot.” An Aikido throw - like a Judo throw – starts as a defense against an opponent’s assault. It quickly turns into an offense ending with the opponent crashing into the macadam parking lot or in a painful and potentially damaging joint lock.

Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.”

“Offensive action is key to achieving decisive results.”

Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War

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