Operational Decisions

<p>This monograph analyzes two historical campaigns and current doctrine to determine what information is required of the operational commander to make decisions. It looks at the nature of the information used by the operational commander in the formulation of his campaign plan. The monograph also presents conclusions based on the analysis and implications for current doctrine. The operational commander is required to link battlefield success to strategic goals. The commander must base his decisions on both current tactical information and on strategic information concerning his opponent. The missing link in the information chain is what information is needed by the operational commander to make informed decisions. FM 100-5 Operations has reintroduced the U.S. Army to the concept of operational art. The practice of the operational art requires the commander to make critical decisions in time and space that is different from the tactical commander. The foundation for these decisions requires information that is different from the information requirement of the tactical commander. The campaigns of General U.S. Grant in 1864 and General William Slim in 1944 in Burma are used as the vehicles to demonstrate the unique nature of the information required by operational commanders. FM 100-5 Operations FM 34-1 Intelligence and Electronic Warfare and FM 100-16 Echelons Above Corps are reviewed to determine to what extent current doctrine recognizes the information requirement for operational commanders. A comparison of the analysis of the historical campaigns with a review of current doctrine reveals shortcomings in current doctrine regarding the information requirement for operational commanders.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>