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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Security
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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
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Principles of War: Unity of Command
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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Unity of Command
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The seventh letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Unity of Command”. On page 4-14 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0, “Unity of Command” is defined.
“Unity of Command
For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.
“4-44. Developing the full combat power of a force requires unity of command. Unity of command means that a single commander directs and coordinates the actions of all forces toward a common objective. Cooperation may produce coordination, but giving a single commander the required authority unifies action.”
Unity of Command does not mean there is only one leader in an organization. It means there is only one leader OF an organization. There may be scores, even thousands, of subordinate leaders all taking their ultimate direction from a single individual. This may seem obvious or even irrelevant, but it is neither.
There are many examples in history when the principle of Unity of Command was violated with horrific results to the violators.
Unity of Command can be violated in various ways. The classic case was the assignment of two men to command a Roman army on alternate days. This army met Hannibal’s Carthegians at Cannae and was literally annihilated.
Multinational coalitions frequently result in Unity of Command violations. Forces from some countries sometimes refuse to take orders from another country’s general.
But the most common violation of Unity of Command happens when a senior commander issues tactical orders to a subordinate unit bypassing the subordinate commander. This, I think, is the reason for the precise wording in the principle, “For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.” For every “objective” implies that when a subordinate is given an objective, resources, and other guidance in the form of an operations order, the senior commander must allow his subordinate to command. The senior commander must not “micro-manage” the subordinate’s battle.
This Unity of Command violation occurred many times in the skies over Viet Nam as Battalion Commanders in helicopters hovered over engaged Platoons giving orders to squad leaders. The Battalion Commander thought he could see the situation better – and often he could – but bypassing his subordinate leaders confused the troops on the ground. They received conflicting orders from different leaders. The result was confused actions and dispirited subordinate commanders.
At Chancellorsville Lee was the single undisputed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. And Lee, master of the Principles of War, delegated the attack on Hooker’s flank to Jackson. It’s reported that after issuing the order, he asked Jackson with which of his units he would assault. Jackson’s answer was, “With my whole Corps, sir.” I’m certain that was exactly the answer Lee expected and hoped to hear. But the point is he asked the question. He didn’t dictate the answer. He let his very capable subordinate command the effort to secure the defined objective.
Schwarzkopf’s force in Desert Storm was more that ten times the size of Lee’s army at Chancellorsville and contained far more complex weapons systems and logistics. Nevertheless, Unity of Command was preserved. Schwarzkopf commanded the entire theater of war, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and all allied forces in the coalition. That he also respected the chain of command is apparent because when the Marines’ breakout went much faster than expected his reaction was to reinforce their success and protect their flank by accelerating the attack of VII Corps.
You might think Unity of Command has no place in simple self defense or martial arts. You would be wrong. In self defense one must be decisive. Immediate action is necessary. Hesitation could mean death – hence the saying, “He who hesitates is lost.”
Unity of Command in simple self defense means deciding in advance to fight to defend yourself or your loved ones. It means acting quickly and decisively under duress without questioning your capability, morals, or manners. It means committing yourself to winning (surviving with minimum damage to you and loved ones). It means understanding at a deep level General Douglas MacArthur’s words, “In war, there is no substitute for victory.”
“For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.”
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
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Unity of Command
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The seventh letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Unity of Command”. On page 4-14 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0, “Unity of Command” is defined.
“Unity of Command
For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.
“4-44. Developing the full combat power of a force requires unity of command. Unity of command means that a single commander directs and coordinates the actions of all forces toward a common objective. Cooperation may produce coordination, but giving a single commander the required authority unifies action.”
Unity of Command does not mean there is only one leader in an organization. It means there is only one leader OF an organization. There may be scores, even thousands, of subordinate leaders all taking their ultimate direction from a single individual. This may seem obvious or even irrelevant, but it is neither.
There are many examples in history when the principle of Unity of Command was violated with horrific results to the violators.
Unity of Command can be violated in various ways. The classic case was the assignment of two men to command a Roman army on alternate days. This army met Hannibal’s Carthegians at Cannae and was literally annihilated.
Multinational coalitions frequently result in Unity of Command violations. Forces from some countries sometimes refuse to take orders from another country’s general.
But the most common violation of Unity of Command happens when a senior commander issues tactical orders to a subordinate unit bypassing the subordinate commander. This, I think, is the reason for the precise wording in the principle, “For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.” For every “objective” implies that when a subordinate is given an objective, resources, and other guidance in the form of an operations order, the senior commander must allow his subordinate to command. The senior commander must not “micro-manage” the subordinate’s battle.
This Unity of Command violation occurred many times in the skies over Viet Nam as Battalion Commanders in helicopters hovered over engaged Platoons giving orders to squad leaders. The Battalion Commander thought he could see the situation better – and often he could – but bypassing his subordinate leaders confused the troops on the ground. They received conflicting orders from different leaders. The result was confused actions and dispirited subordinate commanders.
At Chancellorsville Lee was the single undisputed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. And Lee, master of the Principles of War, delegated the attack on Hooker’s flank to Jackson. It’s reported that after issuing the order, he asked Jackson with which of his units he would assault. Jackson’s answer was, “With my whole Corps, sir.” I’m certain that was exactly the answer Lee expected and hoped to hear. But the point is he asked the question. He didn’t dictate the answer. He let his very capable subordinate command the effort to secure the defined objective.
Schwarzkopf’s force in Desert Storm was more that ten times the size of Lee’s army at Chancellorsville and contained far more complex weapons systems and logistics. Nevertheless, Unity of Command was preserved. Schwarzkopf commanded the entire theater of war, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and all allied forces in the coalition. That he also respected the chain of command is apparent because when the Marines’ breakout went much faster than expected his reaction was to reinforce their success and protect their flank by accelerating the attack of VII Corps.
You might think Unity of Command has no place in simple self defense or martial arts. You would be wrong. In self defense one must be decisive. Immediate action is necessary. Hesitation could mean death – hence the saying, “He who hesitates is lost.”
Unity of Command in simple self defense means deciding in advance to fight to defend yourself or your loved ones. It means acting quickly and decisively under duress without questioning your capability, morals, or manners. It means committing yourself to winning (surviving with minimum damage to you and loved ones). It means understanding at a deep level General Douglas MacArthur’s words, “In war, there is no substitute for victory.”
“For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.”
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
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.
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Maneuver
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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
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Maneuver
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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
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Principles of War – Economy of Force
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 skills and capabilities of a martial artist.
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Economy of Force
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The fifth letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Economy of Force”. On page 4-13 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0, “Economy of Force” is defined.
“Economy of Force
Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
4-42. Economy of force is the reciprocal of mass. It requires accepting prudent risk in selected areas to achieve superiority—overwhelming effects—in the decisive operation. Economy of force involves the discriminating employment and distribution of forces. Commanders never leave any element without a purpose. When the time comes to execute, all elements should have tasks to perform.”
When Lee sent Jackson’s corps to assault Hooker’s right flank at Chancellorsville he committed half of the Army of Northern Virginia to the attack through the forest. The other half of Lee’s army covered the long front of the much larger Army of the Potomac. Lee convinced Hooker that the entire Army of Northern Virginia was in front of him until it was too late for the Union army to react effectively (Surprise) while Jackson’s concentrated corps attacked the decisive point (Mass).
Lee accomplished this by spreading half of his army thinly across a long front – allocating the minimum essential combat power to this secondary effort (Economy of Force).
In a similar fashion in Operation Desert Storm, Schwarzkopf primarily used Navy assets – ships, boats, and SEAL teams - to create the misdirection resulting in the movement of the Iraqi Republican Guards to the Gulf coast. In fact, by using these Navy assets a minimal amount of Schwarzkopf’s total combat power was diverted to the (secondary) misdirection effort; a classic use of Economy of Force.
In martial arts, defense – avoiding injury from the opponent’s attack – is a secondary effort; though a necessary one to be sure. To win you must go on offense quickly. Some martial arts emphasize hard blocks directly opposing the attack with force. But when great force is applied to a block a transition to offense is more difficult; the greater the force the greater the difficulty.
At some level of force, the block itself becomes an offensive technique. When that level is reached it’s sometimes called a destruct instead of a block. The intention of the destruct is to destroy the opponent’s attacking limb.
The other approach is to minimize the energy expended in blocking. This approach – the “Economy of Force” approach – is exemplified by the brush block or by body movement (tai sabaki) to avoid the attack while simultaneously setting up the counter attack.
“Fitting” in a Judo throw can likewise exemplify Economy of Force. The judoka intercepts the opponent’s punch and redirects it past his body. He uses the opponent’s own energy to take his balance all while fitting his body to the opponent’s in preparation for the throw – I have harai goshi in mind.
Aikido, Judo for self defense (sport Judo is much more aggressive), and Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu are examples of martial arts that primarily use Economy of Force in defense to set up their offense.
“Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.”
Link to the Martial Arta Training Report: The Principles of War
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Economy of Force
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The fifth letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Economy of Force”. On page 4-13 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0, “Economy of Force” is defined.
“Economy of Force
Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
4-42. Economy of force is the reciprocal of mass. It requires accepting prudent risk in selected areas to achieve superiority—overwhelming effects—in the decisive operation. Economy of force involves the discriminating employment and distribution of forces. Commanders never leave any element without a purpose. When the time comes to execute, all elements should have tasks to perform.”
When Lee sent Jackson’s corps to assault Hooker’s right flank at Chancellorsville he committed half of the Army of Northern Virginia to the attack through the forest. The other half of Lee’s army covered the long front of the much larger Army of the Potomac. Lee convinced Hooker that the entire Army of Northern Virginia was in front of him until it was too late for the Union army to react effectively (Surprise) while Jackson’s concentrated corps attacked the decisive point (Mass).
Lee accomplished this by spreading half of his army thinly across a long front – allocating the minimum essential combat power to this secondary effort (Economy of Force).
In a similar fashion in Operation Desert Storm, Schwarzkopf primarily used Navy assets – ships, boats, and SEAL teams - to create the misdirection resulting in the movement of the Iraqi Republican Guards to the Gulf coast. In fact, by using these Navy assets a minimal amount of Schwarzkopf’s total combat power was diverted to the (secondary) misdirection effort; a classic use of Economy of Force.
In martial arts, defense – avoiding injury from the opponent’s attack – is a secondary effort; though a necessary one to be sure. To win you must go on offense quickly. Some martial arts emphasize hard blocks directly opposing the attack with force. But when great force is applied to a block a transition to offense is more difficult; the greater the force the greater the difficulty.
At some level of force, the block itself becomes an offensive technique. When that level is reached it’s sometimes called a destruct instead of a block. The intention of the destruct is to destroy the opponent’s attacking limb.
The other approach is to minimize the energy expended in blocking. This approach – the “Economy of Force” approach – is exemplified by the brush block or by body movement (tai sabaki) to avoid the attack while simultaneously setting up the counter attack.
“Fitting” in a Judo throw can likewise exemplify Economy of Force. The judoka intercepts the opponent’s punch and redirects it past his body. He uses the opponent’s own energy to take his balance all while fitting his body to the opponent’s in preparation for the throw – I have harai goshi in mind.
Aikido, Judo for self defense (sport Judo is much more aggressive), and Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu are examples of martial arts that primarily use Economy of Force in defense to set up their offense.
“Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.”
Link to the Martial Arta Training Report: The Principles of War
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