Warfighting Functions-and- Principles of War

ResourcesRequired ReadingsUnited States Marine Corps, Marine Corps Operations, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1-0, (2001): Appendix A, B.United States Marine Corps, Campaigning, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1-2, (1997): 76-92.United States Marine Corps, Intelligence, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 2, (1997): 3-8, 33-37.United States Marine Corps, Logistics, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 4, (1997): 3-8, 37-44.United States Marine Corps, Command and Control, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 6, (1996): 35-41.Supplementary ReadingsBrown, C.R. The Principles of War. U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 75.6 (June 1949): 621-633.

OverviewWarfighting FunctionsCommand & ControlManeuverFiresIntelligenceLogisticsForce ProtectionPrinciples of WarMOOSEMUSS

Learning ObjectivesKnow and describe the six warfighting functions.and describe the nine Principles of War.Comprehendthe relationship between the warfighting functions.the role of the Principles of War in command decisionmaking.

Warfighting Functions

Warfighting FunctionsWhat?Conceptual planning and execution tools used to create plansInseparable parts of a wholeHelp the commander achieve unity of effort and build and sustain combat powerEffective application (in concert), will facilitate planning and conduct of operations

Command & ControlWhat? The exercise of authority and direction in the accomplishment of a missionOverarching warfighting function that enables all other warfighting functionsFocus of C2 is on commanderHis intent, guidance, and decisionsHow he receives feedback on results of his actions

No single activity in war is more important.

Command & ControlCommand (Commander)Very personal functionCommander goes where he can best influence action, where his moral and physical presence can be felt, and where his will to achieve a decision can best be expressed, understood, and acted uponOfficial vs personal authority

Professional competence, personality, and will of strong commanders represent a significant part of any units combat power.

Command & ControlControl (Staff)Monitor the status of the commandAssess gap between what was planned and what has been accomplishedFeedback allows commanders to adapt and direct action to exploit new opportunities or correct deficienciesControl is successful if cmdr is free to operate, delegate authority, lead from any critical point on battlefield, and synchronize actions across AO.

ManeuverWhat?Movement of forces for purpose of gaining advantage over EN IOT accomplish an OBJ The dynamic element of combat and the means of concentrating forces for decisive actionManeuver in spaceMovement relative to EN to put him at a disadvantage Maneuver in timeIncreasing relative speed (tempo)Force protection is critical

FiresWhat?Employment of firepower againstair, ground, and sea targetsObjectiveDelay, disrupt, degrade or destroyEN capabilities, forces or facilitiesEffect the ENs will to fightCollective + coordinated use of target acquisition systems, direct and indirect fire, armed aircraft, and other lethal (e.g. 155mm HE) and nonlethal (e.g. EW, leaflets) means

FiresProcess must be coordinated with other warfighting functions (intel, maneuver, log)Determining prioritiesIdentifying and locating targetsAllocating fires assetsAttacking targetsAssessing battle damage

Maneuver & FiresComplementary dynamics of combatFires typically shape battlespaceManeuver typically combined with firesSynchronizing of organic and supporting fires with scheme of maneuver is critical to successful prosecution of combat ops

IntelligenceWhat?The analysis and synthesis of information into knowledge that supports decision-makingObjectiveAccurate, timely, and relevant knowledge about EN (or potential EN) and surrounding environmentAssists in protecting friendly forces through counterintelligenceSeeks to determine EN capabilities + intentionsWhat can he do?What will he do? (based on possibilities/probabilities)

IntelligenceTangible factorsNumber, type of equipment and dispositionOrganizationTechnical specifications (performance characteristics)Level of readinessState of trainingQuality of leadershipMoraleMethods (Doctrine/TTPs)Moral and Cultural ForcesValues, goals and past experiences that motivate EN

IntelligenceSupports command & control (#1 priority)Builds situational picture for commanderIdentifies EN CoG and CVsConfirms or denies adoption of specific EN COAs Reduces uncertainty and riskSupports fires and maneuverIdentifies target systems, critical nodes, high-value targets, high-payoff targetsAssesses effects of friendly actions upon EN (combat assessment/BDA)Supports force protectionIdentifies, locates, counters ENs intel collection, sabotage, subversion, and terrorism capabilities

LogisticsWhat?The science of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of forcesObjectiveHelps to ensure the effective use of limited resourcesDelivers fighting units to theater at time and place dictated by operational requirements Sustains military forces throughout the course of opsReturns forces to home bases upon conclusion, rearming and re-equipping as needed

A dependable, uninterrupted log system helps the cmdr seize + maintain the initiative. Conversely, attacking the ENs support system can often threaten/weaken his CoG.

LogisticsBridge between nations econ + fighting forcesTranslates national resources into combat power. Turns manpower, natural resources, and industrial capacity into units, weapons, equipment, suppliesCombat service support = activity that provides servicesArming, fueling, fixing equipment, moving, supplying, manning, and health servicesIntegration with combat opsLog cannot be divorced from combat ops; it establishes limits on what is operationally possibleLog system: robust enough to meet units needs, but not so robust as to overwhelm force and slow it down

Force ProtectionWhat?Measures taken to protect forces fighting potential so that it can be applied at appropriate time and placeObjectiveSafeguards friendly CoGs and protects, conceals, reduces or eliminates friendly CVsRemain viable by protecting the force from EN activities and natural occurrencesDoes not imply over-cautiousness or the avoidance of calculated risk

Essential to preservation of combat power across spectrum of ops, even in benign environments.

Force ProtectionSurvivability measuresHardening of facilities and fortifications of battle positions; air defenseDeception, OPSEC, computer network defense, and dispersionin conjunction with security opsPublic affairs and civil affairs Provide FP by establishing a positive perception of forces and actions among local population

Principles of War

Principles of WarUseful aids to a commanderTools to plan, execute, and assess opsAssists cmdr in organizing his thinking about mission, EN, battlespace, and his forces USMC warfighting philosophy of maneuver warfare rooted in principles Apply across range of military ops and at every level of war strategic, oper, tacticalNot a checklist or prescriptive actions

MassApplies to fires, combat support, combat service support, numbers of forcesDecisive local superiority by numerically inferior force possibleDecision to concentrate requires strict economy and acceptance of risk elsewhereConcentrate the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to achieve decisive results.

ObjectiveOBJ of each oper must contribute to ultimate goal of defeating ENs forces or will to fightOBJ based on consideration of ultimate goal, forces available, threat, and AOCmdr must understand highers mission, his own mission, and the tasks he must performAll action must contribute to objective Cmdr must clearly communicate overall objective to subordinatesDirect every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective.

OffensiveOffense decisive form of combatNecessary to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative and to maintain freedom of actionExploit EN weaknesses andimpose your will Defense Temporary expedient until resumption of offense (good defis offensive in character)Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.

SecurityMeasures taken to prevent surprise, ensure freedom of action, deny EN info about friendly forces, capabilities, plansEssential to preservation of combat power across range of military opsNot over-cautiousness or avoidance of risk Security can often be enhanced by bold maneuver and offensive actionNever permit the EN to acquire an unexpected advantage.

Economy of forceReciprocal of principle of massRequires acceptance of prudent risks in selected areas IOT achieve superiority at decisive time + place with the main effortAllocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.

ManeuverMovement in combination with fires, or fire potential, to achieve a position of advantage with respect to EN IOT accomplish the mission Advantage may be psychological, technological, temporal, spatial Effective maneuver with mass, surprise, and economy of force allows an inferior force to achieve decisive superiority at necessary time and place

Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power .

Unity of commandSingle cmdr with authority to direct and coordinate efforts of all assigned forces in pursuit of a common OBJGoal of unity of command is unity of effort. For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander.

SurpriseNot essential that EN be taken unaware; only that he become aware too late to react effectivelyContributing factorsSpeedUse of unexpected forcesOperating at nightEffective and timely intelligenceDeceptionVariation in TTPs Use of unfavorable terrainStrike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared.

SimplicityPlans should be as simple and direct as possibleIn combat, even the simplest plan is usually difficult to executeOther factors being equal, simplest plan is preferredMultinational ops place a premium on simplicityLanguage, doctrine, cultural differences complicate military ops. Simple plans/orders minimize confusionPrepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding.

Questions?