Chapter 1: The Nature of War
War Defined
War is a violent clash of interests between or among organized groups characterized by the use of military force. These groups are not always nations, but can be political groups, terrorists, or guerrillas within nations.
Define Means in War
At the highest level, war involves economic, diplomatic, and psychological forces as well as military force.
Define Organization
Operating forces must be organized to provide forward deployed or rapidly deployable forces capable of conducting expeditionary operations. For operations and training the forces will be organized into Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs). Consisting of ground, air and support elements, MAGTFs are task organized to fit specific situations.
Define Main Effort
The Main Effort is our bid for victory. The unit assigned as the main effort is reinforced with additional combat power in order to achieve success at a given point. Supporting units must think of how their actions will help the main effort.
Define MAGTF Acronym
Marine, Air, Ground Task Force
Define Friction
When the simple is difficult, and the difficult is impossible, we have friction. Friction can be mental or physical. It can come from enemy actions, terrain and whether, or be self-imposed. War is a human endeavor. Friction has a psychological effect.
List the Levels of War
Lowest: Tactical Level
Mid: Operational Level
Highest: Strategic Level
Define Doctrine
Doctrine consists of the central beliefs the Marine Corps has on the subject of war. Doctrine establishes a particular way of thinking about warfare. Doctrine sets forth broad guidance for the conduct of war.
Define OSMEAC Acronym
Orientation
Situation
Mission
Execution
Admin and Logistics
Command and Signal
Define 4 Core Elements of a MAGTF
1. Command Element (CE)
2. Ground Combat Element (GCE)
3. Air Combat Element (ACE)
4. Logistics Combat Element (LCE)
Define Disorder
In the “fog of war,” disorder rules the battlefield. Plans are overcome by events. Flexibility and opportunistic will is required. Complex plans rarely work after the first shots.
Name the two Styles of Warfare
The styles of warfare exist on a spectrum between attrition and maneuver. Maneuver warfare seeks to paralyze the enemy system. Attrition seeks to wear down an enemy’s material resources.
What Professional Military Education (PME) designed for?
Professional military education is designed to develop creative, thinking leaders. Marine leaders must be prepared to take on greater and greater responsibilities. Often they will have to fill in for their superiors in combat.
What are the two parts of Commander's Intent?
1. Task
2. Purpose
What are the 3 types of MAGTFs
1. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
2. Marine Expeditionary Brigade
3. Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
Define The Human Dimension
The human will is the central factor in war. War is shaped by human morals and emotions. It is an extreme test of physical strength, will, and stamina. Through proper leadership, the human will drives all actions in war.
Define Centers of Gravity
Centers of gravity may not always be tangible. Morale, capabilities, positions, or the relationship between elements of the enemy forces may be the vital element to the enemy’s ability to fight. We want to eliminate the enemy’s vital components.
What is the purpose of Training?
The purpose of training is to create forces which can win in combat. Training continues during war so we can learn from the lessons of combat.
Define Combined Arms
Combined arms is the full integration of arms so that the enemy is placed in a dilemma. In order to counter one arm, he becomes vulnerable to another. We give the enemy a no-win situation.
Where are the locations of the Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF)?
I Marine Expeditionary Force located at Camp Pendleton, California
II Marine Expeditionary Force located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
III Marine Expeditionary Force located at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan
Define Physical, Moral, and Mental Forces
The physical forces of war are easily recognized, such as men and material. The moral factors, such as a nation’s resolve, are hard to grasp. Mental factors affect our ability to outthink our enemy. Just because the moral and mental factors are hard to identify, does not mean that they can be neglected.
Define Critical Vulnerabilities
We do not want to attack into the enemy’s strengths. We seek to locate his critical vulnerabilities, where our actions will have the most destructive effects. We seek to attack centers of gravity by penetrating the enemy’s critical vulnerabilities.
What are the two military functions?
1. Waging War
2. Preparing for War
Define Maneuver Warfare
The Marine Corps style of warfare is based upon rapid, flexible and opportunistic maneuver. Maneuver takes place in both space and time. We can also maneuver into the intangible realms of psychology and technology.
List all Marine Expeditionary Units and locations
11th, 13th and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units located in California
22nd, 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units located in North Carolina
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit located in Japan