Key Concepts in Military Doctrine and Operations

Historical Context and Importance

• Depth: A longstanding element in military doctrine dating back to 1982, essential for understanding extended battlefields.
• Multi-Domain Operations: Complexity increases with range in cyberspace and space operations.

Key Tenets of Operations

• Endurance: Vital to achieve objectives and sustain operations; closely linked to the sustainment warfighting function.
• Agility: Depends on training, SOPs, decision-making speed, and ability to adapt to terrain.
• Convergence: New concept from the 2018 MDO; focuses on integrated capabilities across joint and combined arms.

Planning and Execution

• Decision Matrix: Utilized in comparing courses of action; measures agility, convergence, endurance, and depth.
• Combined Arms and Joint Capabilities: Essential for modern operations, require coordination at higher echelons (corps and divisions).
• Centers of Gravity: Modern systems are complex; no singular center, multiple targets to address.

Operational Imperatives

• Understanding the Operational Environment: Key to planning; requires knowledge of both friendly and enemy forces.
• Constant Observation: Modern battlefields are transparent; operations need to consider surveillance and minimize risks.
• Decision Dominance: Aspirational goal; focus on maintaining and leveraging forms of advantage.

Tactical Considerations

• Contact with Minimal Force: Preferably with unmanned systems; reduces risk and enhances tactical advantages.
• Multiple Dilemmas: Present multiple threats to the enemy to divide their focus and resources.

Transitions and Main Effort

• Transitions: Occur frequently; require agility and adaptability across various operational phases and task organizations.
• Main Effort: Designate and sustain focus on the main effort, which varies by echelon and phase.
• Consolidating Gains: Continuous process, not just a final phase; reduces risk and ensures lasting outcomes.

Effects of Operations on Units and Soldiers

• Impact Management: Key during large-scale operations; requires rotation and reconstitution of units to maintain effectiveness.

Conclusion

• The lecture provides a comprehensive overview of modern military doctrines with emphasis on agility, endurance, convergence, and the integration of new capabilities. It highlights the importance of planning, understanding the operational environment, and effective management of forces to achieve success in operations.