What are the US principles of war and what do they mean?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:00:29 -0500

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 4 at 2016 11:02 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:02:48 -0500

The US principles of war could mean several things MAJ Ken Landgren. They could refer to
1. the guidelines we use to wage war.
2. the legal principles that we use to determine whether we go to war - just war
3. the expected outcome of war
I submit they are a combination of points 1 and 2. The principles of war are strategic-level principles which specify how we will wage war and what limits our behavior in war such as hague and geneva conventions. The principles invoke what we use to justify war to ourselves and the world at large. These principles have changed over time from when we've looked inward and refused to engage outside our hemisphere to when we considered ourselves to be teh world's policeman.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 11:03 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:03:28 -0500

Modern principles of War 2016.

1. Sequestration.
2. Lead from the rear.
3. Put off maintenance.
4. Lower morale by having COLA pegged to 1% less than CPI.
5. Have the ability for one humanitarian contingency operation.
6. Cut troops of RA to 420,000
7. Defer important decisions to next administration
8. Hollow Army 1970s or 1940 all over again

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 11:03 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:03:38 -0500

MAJ Ken Landgren The first one to come to mind is: Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive and attainable objective. It's self explanatory

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 4 at 2016 11:42 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:42:05 -0500

Only 7 more to go!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 12:50 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:50:04 -0500

Here is one:
Simplicity: Clear, easy to understand orders and plans.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 4 at 2016 1:33 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:33:49 -0500

What is Objective, offensive, mass, economy of force, maneuvering and command

Response by SGT Gary Frank made Feb 4 at 2016 1:56 PM

SGT Gary Frank — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:56:30 -0500

The First Principle of War should be; that the use of military force is a last result after all other diplomatic endeavors have failed.
The Second Principle of War should be; once engaged the National commitment is to actually Win the damned thing and not pussyfoot around as we have been. Unclear Objectives, Protracted campaigns and half-ass victories over third world belligerents only weaken the moral of the folks back home and that of the troops in the field. War is the most brutal form of diplomacy and its outcome will last for generations. We need to end our "Strategy" of conducting Limited Warfare [aka; a kinder, gentler way to kill ones enemy]. It only prolongs the agony and decreases the chance of a lasting peace. Desert Strom is proof of tis, many of us knew that we would have to go back to finish the job. I pray for those that must go back to "Fix" the mistakes made by our current leaders incompetence.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 5 at 2016 10:28 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:28:27 -0500

I think the last Principle is Unity of Command. There is a singular chain of command. The union army had a difficult time because generals would not agree when they started their campaigns.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Feb 5 at 2016 11:39 AM

MSgt Darren VanDerwilt — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:39:29 -0500

One of the main principles, in my view, is complete and total capitulation of our enemies. After WWII we've strayed away from that concept.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 5 at 2016 12:06 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:06:38 -0500

Mass: Concentrate combat power at the decisive place and time
Objective: Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive,
and attainable objective
Offensive: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative
Surprise: Strike the enemy at a time, at a place, or in a manner for which he is
unprepared
Economy of force: Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary
efforts
Maneuver: Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible
application of combat power
Unity of command: For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one
responsible commander
Security: Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage
Simplicity: Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to
ensure thorough understanding