Strategy: A Philosophy of Doctrine.

This thesis presupposes that America is in a time of increasing danger as its relative power in the world declines. The paper, in addressing this situation, defines strategy as a method of thought. It distinguishes between the more conceptual strategy and the product of planning, doctrine. Such a distinction allows the formulation of a general concept of strategy which remains constant and continuous over time. This in turn provides the solid foundation necessary for flexible and timely planning in a time of unprecedented change. The paper contains four recommendations 1. To increase the historical and philosophical training of military officers, and to emphasize the study of the art of war 2. To train and assign a dedicated group of strategic planners who rotate between field and staff, but whose principle job is planning 3. To centralize the chain of command in the Department of Defense and 4. To decentralize authority in the Department of Defense to the greatest extent feasible.