Accession Number:

ADA364177

Title:

Let's Put "War" Back Into Warfighting

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL DOCTRINE COMMAND NORFOLK VA

Personal Author(s):

• Tritten, James J.

Report Date:

1994-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

11.0

Abstract:

The subject matter of the recently published Joint Warfare of the U.S. Armed Forces Joint Pub 1 is war. Its pages are steeped with historical examples of wars fought by this nation and the bravery of its citizens called upon to do their nations bidding in foreign lands against many foes. Its principles guide the conduct of joint campaigns fought by the armed services in the context of general war -- armed conflict between major powers in which the total resources of the belligerents are employed and the national survival of a major belligerent is in jeopardy. In the days of the cold war, we planned, programmed force structure, and trained for general war and generally considered limited war -- armed conflict short of general war involving the overt engagement of the military forces of two or more nations -- as a lesser included case. We also did some, albeit qualified, specific preparation planning, programming, and training for limited warfare. Today, we have been told to plan, program force structure, and train for limited war and essentially to remove general war from the focus of any attention. This essay will recount how we got into this sorry state of affairs and recommend some extremely low cost alternatives which will keep the war in joint warfighting.

Descriptors:

• *WARFARE
• MILITARY OPERATIONS
• MILITARY HISTORY
• MILITARY STRATEGY
• JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES
• MILITARY PLANNING

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE