Principles of War: Maneuver

The Principles of War can help us understand the connections between battles in 253 B.C. and 1992 A.D. They can also be used to analyze martial arts training and optimize the capabilities of a martial artist.

M
O
O
S
E
Maneuver
U
S
S

The sixth letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Maneuver”. On page 4-14 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0, “Maneuver” is defined.

“Maneuver
Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power.

“4-43. As both an element of combat power and a principle of war, maneuver concentrates and disperses combat power to place and keep the enemy at a disadvantage. It achieves results that would otherwise be more costly. Effective maneuver keeps enemies off balance by making them confront new problems and new dangers faster than they can deal with them. Army forces gain and preserve freedom of action, reduce vulnerability, and exploit success through maneuver. Maneuver is more than just fire and movement. It includes the dynamic, flexible application of leadership, firepower, information, and protection as well. It requires flexibility in thought, plans, and operations and the skillful application of mass, surprise, and economy of force.”

Stonewall Jackson’s attack on Hooker’s right at Chancellorsville was a classic flanking maneuver undertaken while Lee maneuvered the balance of his Army of Northern Virginia to thinly cover the Union front.

Coalition maneuvers during Desert Storm were much more complex. But “the flexible application of combat power” was exemplified by VII Corps attacking earlier than originally planned. Schwarzkopf ordered VII Corps to attack early to secure the flank of the Marines who were moving into Kuwait much faster than expected; And to take advantage of the apparent confusion of the Iraqis.

Both commanders put the enemy “in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power.”

Maneuver, for simple self defense training, means move. Move to show the opponent a constantly shifting defense. Move to change the distance and angles to create opportunities for the opponent to make a mistake and open a vital target to attack.

It also means, for martial arts training, to attack and to threaten a variety of ever changing targets. It means to confuse the opponent or set up an attack sequence such as a boxing combination or kuzushi in Judo.

“Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power.”

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