Principles of War: Security

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

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

“Security
Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.

“4-46. Security protects and preserves combat power. It does not involve excessive
caution. Calculated risk is inherent in conflict. Security results from measures taken by a command to protect itself from surprise, interference, sabotage, annoyance, and threat ISR. Military deception greatly enhances security. The threat of asymmetric action requires emphasis on security, even in low-threat environments (see FM 3-13; FM 3-90; FM 3-07.2).”

The definition of “Security” in the Field Manual is accurate but not very precise. It had to be that way to boil “Security” down to a single sentence. There are two broad types of security; information security and physical security.

Information security requires that you know the enemy; his location, his capability, his state of readiness, and his intentions. It also requires that you deny the enemy like information about you.

Physical security requires guarding your vital points from attack including the capability of quickly shifting combat power to a threatened area. Physical security is always required but the less perfect is your information about the enemy the more physical security is required; you must guard more places and make available more combat power as guards.

J.E.B. Stuart’s very active cavalry provided General Robert E. Lee with information regarding the dispositions of Hooker’s army at Chancellorsville, including the fact that Hooker’s right flank was guarded only by a forest. Throughout the battle Stuart’s cavalry watched the Army of the Potomac to detect Union movements that might threaten the Confederate effort.

To succeed, Jackson’s assault on Hooker’s right had to be an assault on weakness at the actual time of the attack. Hours were required for Jackson’s Corps to get into position. If Hooker discovered the flanking maneuver too soon he could reposition his forces and repulse Jackson’s attack with heavy casualties. In the event, Lee’s information security was good. He knew Hooker’s dispositions and Hooker failed to learn Lee’s.

Hooker’s security, on the other hand, was poor. His inadequate physical security on his flank was the weakness perceived by J.E.B. Stuart and reported to Lee. His failure to rouse his cavalry to detect the maneuvers of the Army of Northern Virginia led directly to the disastrous collapse of his flank, heavy Union casualties, and set up Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania.

Security, in Desert Storm was truly asymmetrical. Having complete command of the sky - aerial, satellite, and Special Operations reconnaissance provided Schwarzkopf with as complete an understanding of an enemy’s location, capability, state of readiness, and intentions as any military commander has ever had. At the same time, Saddam Hussein had only the vaguest idea of what was about to happen to him – and much of what he thought he knew was false.

For the martial artist training for competition information security means scouting his likely opponents. Through scouting, the martial artist can learn his opponent’s capabilities, habits, favorite techniques, and discover weaknesses.

During the contest, information security is watchfulness. He must detect the opponent’s movements, offensive and defensive, and correctly determine their nature and intent in order to launch a successful attack of his own.

Physical security in the contest means having a sufficiently ready and capable guard to defend or avoid an opponent’s sudden attack.

During an actual self defense situation information security is the same as the martial artist’s during his contest. So, also, is physical security in a self defense situation similar to the martial artist’s contest; although the stakes are must higher.

However, simple self defense starts long before an actual self defense situation. Information security before a situation means knowing where threats are likely. It means perceiving potential threats before you're attacked. And, it means being aware of your surroundings all the time.

Physical security for simple self defense likewise starts long before the self defense situation. It begins with self defense training so you know how to defend yourself. It includes arming yourself with practical self defense weapons and with the skills to use them. And, it includes practicing awareness of your surroundings and evaluating potential threats.

Security may be the most important Principle of War in simple self defense training.

“Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.”

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