INTRODUCTION TO

OPERATIONAL ART

By
DR. M. VEGO
JMO DEPARTMENT,
U.S. NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, NEWPORT, RI.
“WAR IS NOT AN AFFAIR OF
CHANCE. A GREAT DEAL OF
KNOWLEDGE, STUDY AND
MEDITATION IS NECESSARY TO
CONDUCT IT WELL.”

FREDERICK THE GREAT, 1747

 TERMS USED
• GRAND TACTICS
• OPERATIONS (OPERATIONS)
• OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIONSKUNST)
• OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIVNOYE
ISKUSSTVO)
• OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
(OPERATIONSFUEHRUNG; OPERATIVE
FUEHRUNG)
• OPERATIONAL WARFARE
• OPERATIONAL WARFIGHTING
 HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART

STRATEGY

OPERATIONS
(Operational Art)

TACTICS

PPT-98-VEG0-38A (PFR)
 ON OPERATIONAL ART
• AN INTERMEDIATE FIELD OF STUDY AND PRACTICE
BETWEEN STRATEGY AND TACTICS
• IT IS APPLIED ACROSS THE ENTIRE “OPERATIONAL
CONTINUUM”
• IT DEALS WITH THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PLANNING,
PREPARING, CONDUCTING, AND SUSTAINING MAJOR
OPERATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT
ACCOMPLISHING OPERATIONAL OR STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER.
“THE NATION THAT WILL INSIST ON
DRAWING A BROAD LINE BETWEEN THE
FIGHTING MAN AND THE THINKING MAN IS
LIABLE TO FIND ITS FIGHTING DONE BY
FOOLS AND ITS THINKING DONE BY
COWARDS.”

SIR WILLIAM FRANCIS BUTLER

 MILITARY SCIENCE AND MILITARY ART

MILITARY
SCIENCE

MILITARY STRATEGY TACTICS

ART

OPERATIONS
(OPERATIONAL ART)

PPT-98-VEG0-10A (PFR)
 IMPORTANCE
• TACTICS ALONE CANNOT ACCOMPLISH
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER OR WIN
THE WAR; RESULTS OF TACTICAL ACTIONS
ARE USEFUL ONLY WHEN LINKED TOGETHER
AS A PART OF SOME LARGER DESIGN FRAMED
BY STRATEGY AND ORCEHSTRATED BY
OPERATIONAL ART
• THE GAP BETWEEN STRATEGY AND TACTICS IS
TOO LARGE TO BE BRIDGED WITHOUT AN
INTERMEDIATE FIELD OF STUDY AND PRACTICE
-- OPERATIONAL ART
• OPERATIONAL ART SEQUENCES AND
SYNCHRONIZES SERIES OF TACTICAL ACTIONS
TO ACCOMPLISH OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES
THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF MAJOR
OPERATIONS; STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A
THEATER ARE NORMALLY ACCOMPLISHED
THROUGH SERIES OF MAJOR OPERATIONS
• OPERATIONAL ART ALLOWS A SMALLER, BUT
BETTER TRAINED AND SKILLFULLY LED
FORCE GUIDED BY SOUND STRATEGY TO
DEFEAT QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY A MUCH
STRONGER FORCE.
• OPERATIONAL ART HELPS TO AVOID MORE
COSTLY AND TIME-CONSUMING ATTRITIONAL
WARFARE AT THE OPERATIONAL AND
STRATEGIC LEVELS
• IT PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK AND KEY INPUTS
FOR WRITING SERVICE AND JOINT/COMBINED
DOCTRINE
• IT REINFORCES THE NEED FOR THE
CLOSEST COOPERATION AMONG THE
SERVICES -- JOINTNESS.
 CHARACTERISTICS
• MOVEMENTS OF LARGE MULTI-SERVICE OR
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES OVER LARGE PART
OF THE THEATER
• THE DEPLOYMENT FORMS THE VERY BASIS OF
A PLAN FOR CAMPAIGN OR MAJOR OPERATION
• SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED
EMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY
SOURCES OF POWER
 PREREQUISITES
• A SUFFICIENT PHYSICAL SPACE FOR
MOVEMENTS OF LARGE FORMATIONS
• FULL MASTERY OF TACTICS
• THE COMMANDERS MUST HAVE THAT
RARE ABILITY TO THINK BEYOND THE
REALM OF PHYSICAL COMBAT
• THE EXISTENCE OF THE THEATER-WIDE
STRUCTURE (C2; C2W; INTELLIGENCE;
FIRES; LOGISTICS; AND PROTECTION).
COMPONENTS
 MILITARY ART COMPONENTS
LEVEL OF WAR

STRATEGIC
• NATIONAL-
STRATEGIC
• THEATER-
STRATEGIC

OPERATIONAL-STRATEGIC

COMPONENT
OPERATIONAL
THEORY AND PRACTICE
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
OR ALLIANCE/COALITION STRATEGY)

OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL

TACTICAL
CONFLICT/WAR TERMINATION
ISSUING STRATEGIC GUIDANCE DETERMINATION
ALLOCATION OF MILITARY RESOURCES OF PRIMARY
STRATEGY AMONG THEATERS
BUILDING ALLIANCE/COALITION
AND SECONDARY
THEATERS
ENHANCING COUNTRY’S GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION
 NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGY

THEORY AND PRACTICE

O O ER
T NALINPUT TO CONFLICT/ P A
RA I S WAR TERMINATION FU T IO
O E O N N
P T R T I O A
L
OPERATIO
C
A
F
L OPERATIONAL ART O S
N

IONA A
PER

NAL R
A
T
S I
P P T I O

DER (OPERATIONS) P AN
NI N NA
E H

OP

ART L
E
A
EN
T
S
O
F
L OPERATIONAL
R IN
OP C IP
LE
G
L
M A ER
(OPERATI A S
E
N

L O O
E WA
NA
I T

ERA RE
R IO F
T

TRAINING
P A

ONS)
L
O F F

R METHODS OF COMBAT A RE
WA
 FORCE EMPLOYMENT

F THEORY AND PRACTICE A

COMBA
C
T
I
C
S O
S
METHODS OF TACTICAL RM S T
EMPLOYMENT A CTI
A E T

T H
C
N
A

C
B L
R

A TACTICS TAC TIC S

P WE AP S O
C
I
T

A
C
G
T N
I

N
N
L
A
LA O
F

P F
TACTICS T T F
N

TY ACTICS ORMS
S

SO
C
I
T
D
TYPES OF PE OF
C
A E
T
A
N
OF

SH
I
B
M
C
O
S SHIPS / AIRCRAFT IR CR
AF
M IPS
R

/
A TACTICAL T
PPT-99-VEGO-40 (PFR)
FUNCTIONS
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART AND THE LEVELS OF WAR

COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT LEVEL OF WAR COMMAND ECHELON

MILITARY ART
GLOBAL NATIONAL-STRATEGIC LEVEL NATIONAL-STRATEGIC

STRATEGY

THEATER OF WAR THEATER-STRATEGIC LEVEL THEATER-STRATEGIC

THEATER OF OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL

(LAND, MARITIME)

AREA OF OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL LEVEL OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL

(LAND, MARITIME, AIR)
TACTICS

COMBAT ZONE (SECTOR) TACTICAL LEVEL TACTICAL

(LAND, MARITIME, AIR)

PPT-97VEG024A (PFR)
OPERATIONAL FACTORS
 OPERATIONAL FACTORS

OBJECTIVE
OPERATIONAL
FACTORS

SPACE- FORCE

SPACE TIME FORCE

TIME-SPACE TIME-FORCE

BALANCING
S - FORCE
TIME -
PACE

INFORMATION
PPT-96VEG040B
 THE FACTOR OF SPACE

DISTANCES GEOSTRATEGIC
POSITIONS

SIZE
FACTOR
MILITARY
ORGANIZATION SPACE
OF SPACE SHAPE
ELEMENTS OF

THE THEATER DYNAMICS PHYSICAL

CHARACTERISTICS
OF SPACE
PPT-97VEG022 6/14/2004
 THE FACTOR OF TIME

DURATION
DECISION COLLECTING, OF WAR
CYCLE OPENING
PROCESSING
PLANNING AND EVALUATING HOSTILITIES
MANEUVER/COUNTER-
INFORMATION
MANEUVER
WARNING

TIME BETWEEN
CONSECUTIVE
MAJOR OPERATIONS/
REACTION
CAMPAIGNS

MOBILIZATION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF
THE MISSION

DEPLOYMENT TIME FOR: TRANSIT

REDEPLOYMENT COMMITMENT OF
RESERVES

TIMING REGENERATION OF
COMBAT POWER

PREPARATION
MASTERING NEW
WEAPONS/ ETC. BRINGING UP
EQUIPMENT REINFORCEMENTS
FOR WAR
FOR A MAJOR FORCE
OPERATION/CAMPAIGN RECONSTITUTION
CONCENTRATION/COUNTER-
CONCENTRATION

PPT-96VEG032A (PFR)
 COMBAT POTENTIAL vs. COMBAT POWER

PEACETIME HOSTILITIES
NON-COMBAT COMBAT
COMBAT
DESIGNED EFFECTIVENESS

COMBAT ENEMY
COMBAT ACTIVATION
COMBAT
POTENTIAL OF COMBAT POWER
POWER
POWER

AVAILABLE RELATIVE
COMBAT
POWER

PPT-00-VEGO-38 (PFR)
 COMBAT POWER
PEACETIME HOSTILITIES

NON-COMBAT COMBAT

FORCE
TIME

AVAILABLE COMBAT
POTENTIAL
INFLUENCES COMBAT
OF: POWER

SPACE SURPRISE
DECEPTION
FATIGUE
CHANCE / LUCK
ETC.
FOG OF WAR
DOCTRINE
FRICTION
INTELLIGENCE FREEDOM OF ACTION / INITIATIVE

DECISIONS MADE LOGISTICAL SUSTAINMENT

PPT-00-VEGO-36 (PFR)
THE THEATER
 THEATER STRUCTURE AND LEVELS OF WAR

LEVELS OF WAR ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE

THEATER (OF WAR) NATIONAL OR
THEATER-STRATEGIC ALLIANCE/COALITION
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
THEATER-STRATEGIC

THEATER OF THEATER OF THEATER OF (OR MILITARY

OPERATIONAL OPERATIONS OPERATIONS OPERATIONS STRATEGIC)
OBJECTIVE
AREAS OF

OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL OBJECTIVE
OR
AIR MARITIME LAND JOINT MAJOR TACTICAL
(SPACE)

COMBAT
ZONES/SECTORS
TACTICAL
TACTICAL OBJECTIVE
AIR MARITIME LAND
(SPACE)

PPT-97VEG035
 THEATER GEOEMETRY
CENTRAL
PARALLEL POSITIONS (INTERIOR)
INTERIOR EXTERIOR
CONVERGING
EXTERIOR
DIVERGING TACTICAL
OPERATIONAL
THEATER STRATEGIC
LINE OF MAIN
GEOMETRY
OPERATIONS INTERMEDIATE
(LOO) BASE OF
SINGLE OPERATIONS
SHORT DOUBLE SHORT
MULTIPLE LONG
LONG
PHYSICAL
DECISIVE
LINE OF OBJECTIVES
POINTS
COMMUNICATIONS TACTICAL
(LOC)
MINOR
LAND MAJOR
OPERATIONAL
(LLOC)
CENTRAL SEA GEOGRAPHIC-ORIENTED STRATEGIC
(INTERIOR) AIR (SLOC) OCEANIC FORCE-ORIENTED
EXTERIOR (ALOC) COASTAL CYBER-ORIENTED
PPT-96VEG08
 THEATER GEOMETRY

ENEMY
SLOC LOO
CENTER OF PRINCIPAL
NEW LOOS GRAVITY OBJECTIVE

LOO
O
OPERATIONS

LLOC NI
BASE OF

PETE

RABAR

M
LOO SET
C

IED
O
L

N
O SE
LOO NEW LOOS

DECISIVE POINTS
GEOGRAPHIC-ORIENTED
FORCE=ORIENTED
97-VEG032.PPT
OPERATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
 OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS
(IN GENERIC TERMS)

COMMAND
AND CONTROL
(C2) I
COMMAND, CONTROL, N
T
E
COMMAND & CONTROL COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS L
L
I
WARFARE (C2W) (C3) G
E
N
C
E

OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL
FIRES
OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

FUNCTIONS
P S

FUNCTION
P

OPERATIONAL OPERATI
R

C2 T

PROTECTION ONAL
LOGISTI
CS
PPT-96VEG07
 SCALE OF INTELLIGENCE EFFORT

LEVEL OF WAR LEVELS OF COMMAND IN SUPPORT OF

NATIONAL-STRATEGIC NATIONAL ALLIANCE

LEADERSHIP AND/OR COALITION POLICY
& STRATEGY

STRATEGIC STRATEGIC
INTELLIGE THEATER-STRATEGIC THEATER CAMPAIGNS &

NCE COMMANDER LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT

THEATER OF OPERATIONS A SINGLE CAMPAIGN

COMMANDER

OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL – TACTICAL A SINGLE MAJOR
COMMANDER OPERATION
INTELLIGENCE

TACTICAL COMMANDER TACTICAL ACTIONS

(BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS,
STRIKES, ATTACKS, ETC.)

TACTICAL TACTICAL
INTELLIGENCE
PPT-96VEG03A (PFR)
 C2W COMPONENTS
INFORMATION
INTELLIGENCE WARFARE (IW)
SUPPORT

OPERATIONS
SECURITY
(OPSEC)
ELECTRONIC PSYCHOLOGICAL
WARFARE
(EW) C2W OPERATIONS
(PSYOPS)
EW SUPPORT MILITARY
ELECTRONIC ATTACK
(EA) DECEPTION
ELECTRONIC PROTECTION (MILDEC)
(EP) PHYSICAL
DESTRUCTION
PPT-96VEG02
 TYPE OF OPERATIONAL FIRES

OPERATIONAL
FIRES
LETHAL
NON-LETHAL

AIR- CONVENTIONAL
BASED WEAPONS
WEAPONS OF ELECTRONIC
SEA- WARFARE (EW)
MASS DESTRUCTION
BASED SPECIAL (WMD)
NUCLEAR
GROUND- FORCES ELECTRONIC
CHEMICAL
BASED BIOLOGICAL ATTACK (EA)
PSYCHOLOGICAL
OPERATIONS
(PSYOP)

PPT-96VEG011
 SCALE OF LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

THE COMMUNICATIONS ZONE

THEATER OF WAR THEATER OF WAR

COMBAT ZONE (SECTOR)

INTRA-THEATER LOCs
HOME INTER-THEATER LOCs
THEATER
SUSTAINMENT
BASE BASE

THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC LOGISTICS

OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS

TACTICAL LOGISTICS

PPT-97VEG020 (PFR)
 OPERATIONAL PROTECTION
(IN GENERIC TERMS)
AIR DEFENSE PROTECTION OF
COLLECTION OF
AND AIRSPACE INTELLIGENCE FOR INFORMATION
CONTROL INDICATORS &
WARNING (I&W)

FORCE AIR BASE

PROTECTION GROUND
DEFENSE
(ABGD)
COMPONENTS

REAR AREA
MARITIME
DEFENSE SECURITY
OF PORTS /
HARBORS

DEFENSE AGAINST
PROTECTION
WEAPONS OF MASS OF LOGISTICS
DESTRUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE
(WMD)
PPT-99-VEG0-61 (PFR)
STAGES OF COMBAT
FORCE EMPLOYMENT
 STAGES AND ELEMENTS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT
MILITARY DECISION-MAKING AND PLANNING

MAJOR STAGES
DEPLOYMENT COMBAT CONFLICT/ POST- RECON-
PEACETIME MOBILIZATION PRE- OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PEACETIME
STRATEGIC WAR HOSTILITIES REDEPLOYMENT DEMOBILIZATION
DEPLOYMENT / & STITUTION
ACTIVITIES TACTICAL SUSTAINMENT TERMINATION ACTIONS

OFFENSE OR DEFENSE

CRITICAL FACTORS CENTERS OF PURSUIT/

CONCENTRATION/ GRAVITY COUNTER-PURSUIT
COMBAT
COUNTER CONCENTRATION
SUCCESS
CULMINATING REGENERATION
POINT OF COMBAT
MANEUVER / COUNTER MANEUVER POWER

CONSOLIDATION

OF COMBAT
SUCCESS

ELEMENTS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT

PPT-98-VEGO-8 (PFR) PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF WAR

 ELEMENTS OF
OPERATIONAL WARFARE
 CONCEPT OF CRITICAL FACTORS
CRITICAL
FACTORS

“CONCRETE” “ABSTRACT”

(TANGIBLE) (INTANGIBLE)

CRITICAL
WEAKNESSES
CRITICAL
STRENGTHS

CRITICAL
VULNERABILITIES
OBJECTIVE(S) (CVs)

CENTER OF
GRAVITY
(COG)

97-VEG033.PPT
 CRITICAL FACTORS
ÎI
CRITICAL
FACTORS
N
D
I
V
I
D
NON-MILITARY
Î STATE ORGANIZATION
Î ECONOMY
Î MINERAL RESOURCES
Î AGRICULTURE
Î FINANCES
Î BANKING Î ENERGY
RESOURCES Î ETC.

“PHYSICAL”
(TANGIBLE)

GEOGRAPHIC
ÎGEOSTRATEGIC POSITION
ÎGEOPOLITICAL POSITION
ÎPOSITIONS
ÎBASE OF OPERATIONS
ÎLINES OF OPERATIONS
ÎLINES OF COMMUNICATIONS
Î ETC.
MILITARY
ÎARMED FORCES
 UAL SERVICES (ARMY, NAVY, AIR
FORCE)
ÎTHEATER ARMY, FLEET, AIR FORCE
ÎNUMBERED ARMY, FLEET, AIR FORCE
ÎMAJOR FORCE ELEMENTS (AIR CORPS, NAVAL “ABSTRACT”
TASK FORCES, AIR TASK FORCES) (INTANGIBLE)
ÎTACTICAL UNITS (DIVISIONS, BRIGADES,
REGIMENTS, NAVAL SQUADRONS / GROUPS,
AIR DIVISIONS / REGIMENTS / SQUADRONS) ÎPOLITICAL
ÎINTELLIGENCE ÎDIPLOMATIC
3
ÎC I NODES ÎPSYCHOLOGICAL
ÎLOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND SUSTAINMENT ÎWILL TO FIGHT
ÎBATTLEFIELD SURVEILLANCE ÎLEADERSHIP
ÎINTELLIGENCE AND WARNING (I&W) ÎALLIANCE/COALITION
Î ETC. COHESION ÎALLIANCE /
COALITION’S
97-VEG030.PPT COMMUNITY OF INTERESTS
ÎPUBLIC SUPPORT ÎUNITY
OF COMMAND ÎSERVICE /
JOINT DOCTRINE ÎMORALE
Î DISCIPLINE
ÎCOMBAT TRAINING
ÎCOMBAT READINESS
Î ETC.
 CENTER OF GRAVITY
(IN GENERIC TERMS)

“IS A SOURCE OF ‘MASSED STRENGTH’ --

PHYSICAL OR MORAL OR A SOURCE OF
LEVERAGE WHOSE SERIOUS
DEGRADATION, DISLOCATION,
NEUTRALIZATION, OR DESTRUCTION
WILL HAVE THE MOST DECISIVE IMPACT
ON THE ENEMY’S OR ONE’S OWN
ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH A GIVEN
MILITARY OBJECTIVE.”
 CENTER OF GRAVITY’S COMPOSITION

OUTER CORE

T
ION PROTECTION
R
A
S
G T
E N
T E
N M
I E
L

E L
E INTANGIBLE
I
B
G
N
A

T FIREPOWER
LEADERSHIP

MANEUVER
INFORMATION
INNER CORE

SUPPORT

PPT-98-VEG0-4 (PFR)
OPERATIONAL
MANEUVER
 MANEUVER
FORCES
SCALE
GROUND
AIR/ MANEUVER SPACE TACTICAL
NAVAL OPERATIONAL
STRATEGIC

ENCIRCLEMENT
FORM MEDIUM
SINGLE
DOUBLE COMBINED PENETRATION LAND
SEA
PENETRATION
COMBINED WITH THE AIR/SPACE
ENVELOPMENT
ONE-SIDED
ENVELOPMENT PENETRATION ONE-SIDED
COMBINED WITH THE TWO-SIDED (DOUBLE)
ECCENTRIC (OR CONCENTRIC)
MOVEMENT WIDE ENVELOPMENT
(TURNING MOVEMENT)
PPT-96VEG042
 OPERATIONAL MANEUVER, PART 1

PENETRATION MANEUVER ONE-SIDED ENVELOPMENT MANEUVER

S
HO U
L

DE
R ENE MY’S
S HOULDER COG
SU
P
PO
E NEM Y FORCE
R TI
N
GA T

TA
C

K
TA
CK
G AT
TIN
OR
PP
SU

M AI
NA
T

MOBI LE FORCE
T
A
C

K
RE SERVE
FIXING FORCE

TWO-SIDED (DOUBLE) ENVELOPMENT

MAIN
ENEMY FORCE

FIXING FORCE

MOBILE FORCE MOBILE FORCE

CD-98-V EGO-6 (JR N)
 OPERATIONAL MANEUVER, PART 2
TURNING MANEUVER (WIDE MOVEMENT) ENCIRCLEMENT
OPERATIONAL

T
N
O
R

RF
T
E
N
T
U O

O RF
R

E
I N
N
ENEMY
DEPTH

SUPPLY
LINES
ENEMY’S

ESCAPE
ENCIRCLED R OUTE
ENEMY’S
FORCE
O PE RATIONAL
COG

MOBILE FORCE
SUPPORTING ATTACK
OR
FIXING FORCE

DOUBLE ENCIRCLEMENT
T
N
O
R

R F RONT
E F
ER
T

U
N
O N

I
N
T
R
O
F
R
E
T
U
O ER F
N

N R

I ONT
CD-9 8-VEGO-7 (JRN)
 THEORY OF CULMINATING POINT

FACTOR OF SPACE

EQUILIBRIU CULMINATING
M OF POINT
A
RELATIVE
TTAC
K
E
R

COMBA COMBAT
T POWE
R
POWER
FACTOR OF FORCE

RELATIVE COMBAT POWER

FACTOR OF FORCE
DEFENDER’S
OBJECTIVE ATTACKER’S
OBJECTIVE

AREA OF
UNCERTAINTY
W
E
R
O
TP
A
B
M

R
O

C D
E
N
E
F
E

FACTOR OF TIME
PPT-00-VEG0-22 (PFR)
 ATTACKER’S CULMINATION
START OF
OFFENSIVE FACTOR OF SPACE OFFENSIVE
STALLED
SPACE GAINED STALEMATE

CANNOT BE HELD
DIMINISHING
STRENGTH
OF THE

ATTAC
CULMINATING POINT
KER
OF OFFENSIVE (ATTACK)

LINES OF SUPPLIES
ATTACKER’S
S
U
OBJECTIVE
C

E
R C
E
D S
E
N S
E
F F
O
THE D R
E
STRENGTH OF
C
L
O
INCREASING S
E
D

START OF FACTOR OF TIME ATTACK

ATTACK STALLED
PPT-00-VEG0-24 (PFR)
 DEFENDER’S CULMINATION

START OF DEFENSIVE FACTOR OF SPACE

SPACE LOST TO
THE ATTACKER COUNTER-OFFENSIVE
DI
MINIS
HIN

CULMINATING POINT OF
G S
TR
E
N
G
T
H

OF T
H

H E A
FACTOROFFORCE

RELATIVECOMBATPOWER

TTA
COUNTER-ATTACK
C
K
E
R
DEFENDER’S TACTICAL
OBJECTIVE OFFENSIVE
COUNTER-OFFENSIVE
COUNTER-ATTACKS
R
WINDOW OF
E
OPPORTUNITY
D

E
F
E
N
OF SHIFTING TO
H
E D
T
F

G
T O
N
E
R

COUNTER-ATTACK
T

G S
SIN
EA
CR

IN

START OF FACTOR OF TIME

DEFENSE
PPT-00-VEG0-23 (PFR)
 CULMINATING POINT AND THE LEVELS OF WAR
LEVEL OF WAR FACTOR OF SPACE OCCURRENCE
WAR AS A WHOLE
CULMINATING POINT
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC OF VICTORY IT OCCURS ONLY
(OR DEFEAT)
ONCE IN A WAR

CAMPAIGNS AND MAJOR OPERATIONS IT COULD OCCUR

THEATER-STRATEGIC CULMINATING POINT SEVERAL TIMES
OF OFFENSIVE DURING A
(OR DEFENSIVE) CAMPAIGN AND
OPERATIONAL ONLY ONCE IN A
MAJOR OPERATION

OPERATIONAL- A MAJOR OPERATION IT COULD OCCUR

TACTICAL ONLY ONCE
CULMINATING POINT IT OCCURS ONLY

OF ATTACK
TACTICAL (OR DEFENSE) ONCE IN A
MAJOR BATTLE
OR AN
A MAJOR BATTLE OR AN ENGAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT
PPT-00-VEG0-25 (PFR)
FACTOR OF TIME
 REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER
OF PERSONNEL

ELEMENTS

TASK
-
ORIE
NTED
TRAI
NING

REESTABLISHMENT
OF COMMAND
AND CONTROL

REST &
RECREATION
 OF PERSONNEL

REPAIR &
REPLACEMENT
OF WEAPONS
& EQUIPMENT

LARGE-SCALE
REPLACEMENT REPLENISHMENT
OF SUPPLIES

PPT-98-VEG0-46 (PFR)
 PRINCIPLES OF
OPERATIONAL WARFARE
“THERE HAVE EXISTED IN ALL TIMES
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH
DEPEND GOOD RESULTS IN
WARFARE…. THE PRINCIPLES ARE
UNCHANGING, INDEPENDENT OF THE
KIND OF WEAPONS, OF HISTORICAL
TIME AND OF PLACE.”
BARON ANTOINE HENRI DE JOMINI
 PRINCIPLES OF WAR
(GENERIC)

PRINCIPLES PURPOSE
OF WAR TACTICAL
OPERATIONAL
STRATEGIC

SURPRISE
OBJECTIVE

SIMPLICITY MASS

SECURITY OFFENSIVE
MANEUVER
UNITY OF
EFFORT ECONOMY OF
FORCE

COOPERATION UNITY OF
PPT-96VEG041
COMMAND
METHODS OF COMBAT
FORCE EMPLOYMENT
 LEVELS OF WAR AND COMBAT FORCES’ EMPLOYMENT

N N
S
z C P
A
I
G
A
T
I
O

A
M M R

AIGNS
P
A
E

z MA J
P
C O
A R
z O

z
“MILIT R OP ERA TI
J
O
A
M

zO ARY ONS z
THE OPE THEA
R THA N W RATI O NS TER
OPERATIONAL
AR” ( LEVEL
M
O
O
T
STRA
W) TEGI
C
LEVE
L

TACTICAL
LEVEL

TACTICAL ACTIONS
z BATTLE z SKIRMISH z SEARCH
z ENGAGEMENT z AMBUSH z SURVEILLANCE
z STRIKE z RAID z OBSERVATION
z ATTACK z HARASSMENT z SCOUTING
z ENCOUNTER z INFILTRATION z RECONNAISSANCE
 z DUEL z PATROL z ETC.

PPT-98VEG049 (PFR)
 LEVELS OF COMMAND AND AND METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT

LEVEL OF MILITARY
WAR METHOD LEVEL OF COMMAND OBJECTIVES ART
NATIONAL NATIONAL* A SINGLE OR SEVERAL
STRATEGIC (OR ALLIANCE/ NATIONAL-STRATEGIC

COALITION) LEVEL
THEATER- • CAMPAIGNS THEATER
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC

OPERATIONAL ART

STRATEGY
STRATEGIC • MAJOR OPERATIONS CDR A SINGLE OR SEVERAL
OPERATIONAL- THEATER-STRATEGIC

STRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL • A SINGLE CAMPAIGN TO CDR**
A SINGLE THEATER-
STRATEGIC
• MAJOR OPERATIONS

• A MAJOR JOINT OPERATION COMJTF OPERATIONAL

OPERATIONAL-
• TACTICAL ACTIONS
TACTICAL • NEO OPERATIONS
***

TACTICS
TACTICAL • MAJOR TACTICAL ACTIONS MAJOR-TACTICAL
(BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS,
STRIKES) TACTICAL
COMMANDER MINOR TACTICAL
• MINOR TACTICAL ACTIONS

* NATIONAL COMMAND ** THEATER OF OPERATIONS *** COMMANDER JOINT TASK FORCE

PPT-96VEG09A
AUTHORITY CINC
MAJOR OPERATIONS
 MAJOR OPERATION
(IN GENERIC TERMS)
A MAJOR OPERATION CONSISTS OF
A SERIES OF BATTLES,
ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES, AND
OTHER TACTICAL ACTIONS
SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED
IN TERMS OF SPACE AND TIME TO
ACCOMPLISH AN OPERATIONAL
(AND SOMETIMES STRATEGIC)
OBJECTIVE IN A GIVEN PART OF
THE THEATER.
 SCHEME OF A MAJOR OPERATION
MAJOR STAGES
BASE OF OPERATIONAL CONSOLIDATION
DEPLOYMENT & COMBAT EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT OF OPERATIONAL REDEPLOYMENT
OPERATIONS CONCENTRATION
X X XX
SUCCESS

FORCE ALFA OPERATIONAL MANEUVER

X X
ENGAGEMENT

BATTLE
B
A
T C
EA
T R
L O

E F
FORCE BRAVO
OPER FORCE B
ENGAGEMENT X
ATIO BATTLE
N FORCE C
RESE
RVE

FORCE CHARLIE NT
G
E
ME FORCE D
N
GA
ENGAGEMENT E
MAJOR TACTICAL OBJECTIVE

PPT-99-VEGO-15 (PFR) X OPERATIONAL OF

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
FORCE DELTA
ENGAGEMENT

1ST PHASE
LEGEND
DECISIVE POINT

MINOR TACTICAL OBJECTIVE

 L
E
T
T

BA

2ND PHASE…ETC
OPERATIONAL PAUSE
REGENERATION OF
COMBAT POWER
 MAJOR OPERATIONS

PRELIMINARY

INITIAL
SEQUENCE
CONSECUTIVE
(SUCCESSIVE)

MAJOR MEDIUM/
PURPOSE
OPERATIO SERVICE
NS
LAND
OFFENSIVE
(GROUND)
DEFENSIVE NAVAL
PRINCIPAL (MAIN) (MARITIME)
DEGREE AIR (SPACE)
SUPPORTING
(ANCILLARY) OF
SERVICE
PARTICIPAT
ION

INDEPENDENT
 JOINT (MULTI-SERVICE)
COMBINED (MULTI-NATIONAL)

PPT-97VEG027
CAMPAIGNS
 CAMPAIGN
(IN GENERIC TERMS)
A CAMPAIGN CONSISTS OF A
SERIES OF MAJOR
OPERATIONS SEQUENCED AND
SYNCHRONIZED IN TERMS OF
SPACE AND TIME AND AIMED
TO ACCOMPLISH A STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVE IN A GIVEN
THEATER OF OPERATIONS.
 SCHEME OF A CAMPAIGN
MAJOR STAGES
CONSOLIDATION REDEPLOYMENT
FOR A NEW
DEPLOYMENT OF STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN OR
MOBILIZATION STRATEGIC INTRA-THEATER COMBAT EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT SUCCESS DEMOBILIZATION
X X X
X X X
BASE OF
OPERATIONS
MAJOR NAVAL
OPERATION
X X
THEATER JOINT / X
STRATEGIC COMBINED
RESERVE
X X X DESIRED
END
MAJOR LAND STATE
(GROUND)
X X
OPERATION X

“INDEPENDENT”

MAJOR AIR X
(SPACE)
X
OPERATION X

STRATEGIC WAR/CONFLICT
CONCENTRATION PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III…...ETC. TERMINATION OR A
DISTINCT PHASE OF WAR

LEGEND OPERATIONAL POST-HOSTILITIES

PAUSES ACTIVITIES

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE RECONSTITUTION

PPT-99-VEGO-16 (PFR) X OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE

 CAMPAIGNS
TIMING PURPOSE
SEQUENTIAL
CAMPAIGNS
DEFENSIVE
(CONSECUTIVE) OFFENSIVE
SIMULTANEOUS OBJECTIVE
(CONCURRENT) THEATER
PLANNING STRATEGIC NATIONAL OR
ALLIANCE/COALITION
UNPLANNED MILITARY STRATEGIC

PLANNED SERVICE
OPERATIONAL PARTICIPATION
COMBINED
CONTINUUM
(MULTI-NATIONAL)
JOINT
LOW INTENSITY (MULTISERVICE)
WAR
CONFLICT** PHYSICAL
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT(MEDIUM)
REGIONAL
(GENERAL) (LOCAL)
* Denotes predominant features of the medium in which a LAND
campaign in conducted MARITIME
** MOOTW in U.S. terms
PPT-97VEG028
OPERATIONAL PLANNING
 DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY (IN GENERIC TERMS)

NATIONAL POLICY MEANS

ENDS NATIONAL NATIONAL SOURCES OF POWER
GOALS/AIMS NATIONAL OBJECTIVE
TRADITIONAL
NATIONAL INTERESTS
VITAL
* •POLITICAL
•DIPLOMATIC

PORTI

TEGIE
SSUP

STRA
NG
NATIONAL (GRAND) STRATEGY
•ECONOMIC
•PHYSICAL SECURITY AND INTERESTS
•MILITARY
SURVIVAL UNLIMITED POLITICAL OBJECTIVE •INFORMATIONAL
•POLITICAL AND •SCIENTIFIC
LIMITED
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY •TECHNOLOGICAL
ANNIHILATION MILITARY STRATEGY •OTHER
•ECONOMIC STABILITY
AND WELL BEING EROSION MILITARY STRATEGIC
•DOMESTIC PEACE AND (ATTRITION) OBJECTIVE
THEATER STRATEGY OFFENSIVE
STABILITY
** OR
STRATEGIC
AND DEFENSIVE
NATIONAL
GUIDANCE THEATER-STRATEGIC
ALLIANCE OR OBJECTIVE
COALITION SYMMETRIC
POLITICAL
LEADERSHIP STRATEGIC ESTIMATE OR ASYMMETRIC

COURSES OF ACTION (COAs)

STRATEGIC
SITUATION
STRATEGIC CONCEPTS

DECISIONS
* NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
IN U.S. TERMS
* WHEN MULTIPLE THEATERS EXIST
REVISED/UPDATED MILITARY
OR THEATER STRATEGY

EMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY AND

NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER
 TYPE OF PLANNING

OPERATIONAL PLANNING
(MAJOR OPERATIONS OR CAMPAIGNS)
INTERMEDIATE MILITARY OBJECTIVES
INVERSE (REGRESSIVE) PLANNING

HERE
AND
NOW ULTIMATE
OBJECTIVE

PROGRESSIVE PLANNING

NEAR FUTURE
TASK TASK

(BATTLES / ENGAGEMENTS, ETC.)

PPT-97VEG047 (PFR)
TACTICAL PLANNING
 CAMPAIGN PLAN DEVELOPMENT
COMMAND ECHELON
STRATEGIC • MILITARY-STRATEGIC
GUIDANCE • THEATER-STRATEGIC
COMMANDER (CINC)
• THEATER OF OPERATIONS
COMMANDER (CINC)

STRATEGIC ESTIMATE
STRATEGIC
VISION
CONCEPTS
•OPERATIONAL
•
ORGANIZATIONAL
STAFF • •
DEPLOYMENT
ESTIMATES COMMANDER’S •
LOGISTICS
ESTIMATE OF
•OTHER
THE
STRATEGIC
SITUATION

THE DECISION PLANNING

• THE DECISION STATEMENT
• OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) CONSIDERATIONS
• COMMANDER’S INTENT CAMPAIGN PLANS

WAR LOW INTENSITY

CONFLICT (LIC)
PPT-99-VEGO-04 (PFR)
 MAJOR OPERATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT
HIGHER COMMAND
AUTHORITY COMMAND ECHELON
DOCUMENTS •SERVICE COMPONENT
•CAMPAIGN PLAN •JOINT/COMBINED TASK
•OPORD FORCE
OPERATIONAL •ARMY GROUP
GUIDANCE •ARMY
•ARMY CORPS
•NUMBERED AIR FORCE
•NUMBERED FLEET
COMMANDER

OPERATIONAL
VISION

COMMANDER’S
STAFF
ESTIMATE OF THE
ESTIMATES
OPERATIONAL
SITUATION

THE DECISION
•THE DECISION STATEMENT PLAN FOR A MAJOR
•OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) OPERATION (LAND,
•COMMANDER’S INTENT NAVAL, AIR/SPACE)
PPT-97VEGO15 (PFR)
OPERATIONAL DESIGN
 GUIDANCE
• STRATEGIC
• OPERATIONAL

OBJECTIVE OPERATIONAL
IDEA
(SCHEME)

OPERATIONAL
DESIGN
DESIRED
END STATE
DIRECTION/AXIS

IDENTIFICATION OF
THE ENEMY’S
CRITICAL FACTORS

98-PPT-VEGO-03( es)
 OPERATIONAL
IDEA (SCHEME)
 OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)

OPERATIONAL
IDEA (SCHEME)
MAJOR
CAMPAIGN
OPERATION

OPERATIONAL
TACTICAL
IDEA
CONCEPTS

MAJOR LAND MAJOR NAVAL

OPERATION OPERATION MARITIME AIR (SPACE)
ELEMENTS ELEMENTS
MAJOR AIR
(SPACE) GROUND SPECIAL
OPERATION
FORCES
ELEMENTS
ELEMENTS

PPT-96VEG017 (PFR)
 OPERATIONAL IDEA FEATURES

FULL USE CREATIVE

OF DECEPTION AND NOVEL

OPERATIONAL NO
DISCERNIBLE
SPEED IN IDEA PATTERNS
EXECUTION

MULTIPLE FULL USE

OF AMBIGUITY
OPTIONS

PPT-96VEG021
 DESIRED END STATE *
OPERATIONAL
DESIGN GEOSTRATEG
REQUI
RED
DESI
FORC
ES
AND
ASSET DIRECTION
S

CAM
PAIG
 OPERATIONAL DESIGN FOR A MAJOR OPERATION
DESIRED END STATE * INTERIOR VS.EXTERIOR
LINES
REQUIRED OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL OR TACTICAL

DESIGN DIRECTION / AXIS

FORCES
AND ASSETS IDENTIFICATION OF THE

ENEMY’S CRITICAL
•ULTIMATE (OPERATIONAL) COORDINATION * FACTORS AND OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE CENTER OFGRAVITY
•INTERMEDIATE (MAJOR REGENERATION OF
FACTORS TACTICAL) OBJECTIVES
COMBAT POTENTIAL
METHODS OF SELECTED BRANCHES AND SEQUELS

DEFEATING THE ENEMY’S PRINCIPLES OF WAR

OPERATIONAL COG OPERATIONAL PHASING

APPLICATION OF OPERATIONAL IDEA

AVAILABLE COMBAT OPERATIONAL PAUSE
POTENTIAL (SCHEME)
SECTOR OF MAIN ANTICIPATING ONE’S OWN

EFFORT (THRUST) CULMINATION POINT

CONCENTRATION AT SECTOR OPERATIONAL TEMPO

OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST)

OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL MOMENTUM

POINT OF MAIN ATTACK DECEPTION

(DEFENSE) OPERATIONAL PROTECTION OF ONE’S
OPERATIONAL RESERVE
MANEUVER OWN OPERATIONAL COG
* FOR A MAJOR OPERATION PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH A STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE. OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT
OPERATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
 OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
ARMY CORPS ??
COMMANDERS
THEATER- OPERATIONAL
STRATEGIC
LEADERSHIP THEATER/
COMMANDERS
NUMBERED
AIR FORCE
COMMANDERS

THEATER OF
OPERATIONS THEATER/
COMMANDERS NUMBERED
SERVICE ARMY
COMPONNENT COMMANDERS
COMMANDERS
THEATER/
NUMBERED
MILITARY/NAVAL
FLEET
DISTRICT
COMMANDERS
COMMANDERS
JOINT TASK
FORCE
COMMANDERS
PPT-97VEGO53
 OPERATIONAL COMMANDER’S REQUIREMENTS
PROFESSIONAL
KNOWLEDGE
OPERATIONAL
THINKING
INITIATIVE HONESTY
DECISIVENESS
STEADFASTNESS
OF PURPOSE MORAL

COURAGE
PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

LEADING BY
EXAMPLE SOUND
FOR SUCCESS JUDGMENT
CREATIVENESS TOUGHNESS

BOLDNESS

MENTAL HIGH INTELLECT

PERSISTENCE AGILITY ABILITY TO PROVIDE

MOTIVATION AND
INSTILL PURPOSE
PPT-97VEGO54B
 TENETS OF OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
INDIRECT ABSOLUTE PRIMACY OF
APPROACH POLICY & STRATEGY
UNWAVERING FOCUS ON THE
OBJECTIVE
APPLICATION OF
OVERWHELMING
FORCE
BALANCING THE ENDS,
MEANS, AND WAYS

SELECTION OF
CONCENTRATION
THE PROPER
TENETS OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING
AT THE “WEIGHT OF
EFFORT” “WEIGHT OF EFFORT” (CARDINAL FREEDOM OF ACTION
RULES)

INITIATIVE

JOINTNESS

EMPLOYMENT OF ALL
AVAILABLE MILITARY
AND NON-MILITARY WILLINGNESS TO
SOURCES OF POWER TAKE HIGH RISKS

ACTING IN AN
UNPREDICTABLE
MANNER
PPT-97VEGO41 (PFR)
 OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING FREEDOM OF ACTION
REXERCISINGFRE
R F
O
E D
O
M

O K O
M
EW
A
IN
TS+RESTRAINTS= L I
F A
C
TI
A R MI
R T
S
T
A O
O N

L
T

F C N I N S

L A G
I
G

E
L V
A
E

- N

N
T
S
P
E
A
M C
N E
O -
N
V
IR OPERATIONAL T E

M
I

-
E
COMMANDER
C

-
INITIATIVE
M

I O R

O
F
N
E
O C
C
• TASK-ORIENTED ORDERS S

-
E • MENTAL AGILITY
I • FORCES’ MOBILITY
A
C
FACTORS AFFECTING • SURPRISE
T
M

FREEDOM OF ACTION • OFFENSIVE

O • ANTICIPATION
L • ASSIGNED • ABILITY TO DEPLOY
P

I
D

-
L OBJECTIVES/TASKS • OPERATIONAL RESERVES
A • COMBAT POWER OF ONE’S • DECISION CYCLE • ETC.
C OWN / FRIENDLY FORCES
• ENEMY’S COMBAT POWER • INTELLIGENCE
T
I

I
L P
• ENEMY’S DECISIONS AND • GIVEN SPACE
O
ACTIONS • TIME AVAILABLE
• COMMAND & CONTROL • FORCES AVAILABLE
STRUCTURE • FORCES BECOMING AVAILABLE
• COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS • TECHNOLOGY
• OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS AND
SUSTAINMENT
• OPERATIONAL PROTECTION
• OPERATIONAL RESERVE
PPT-97VEGO42 (PR)
 TYPE OF DECISIONS

OPERATIONAL
COMMANDER

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATIONAL

OPERATIONAL

PPT-97VEGO52
THE FUTURE
• WARS WILL BE WON OR LOST AT THE
OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEVEL; HENCE,
THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF OPERATIONAL
ART WILL NOT BE REDUCED
• INFORMATION WILL INCREASINGLY AFFECT
THE FACTORS OF SPACE, TIME AND FORCE
• NEW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES WILL
COMPRESS SPACE AND TIME SEPARATING
LEVELS OF WAR
• HOWEVER, THE NEED FOR THE OPERATIONAL
LEVELS OF COMMAND WILL REMAIN.
• NEW METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE
EMPLOYMENT WILL EMERGE
• STRIKES WILL REPLACE BATTLES AND
ENGAGEMENTS, WHILE MAJOR OPERATIONS
WILL BECOME THE MAIN METHOD OF COMBAT
EMPLOYMENT TO ACCOMPLISH NOT ONLY
OPERATIONAL BUT ALSO STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVES IN A GIVEN PART OF THE
THEATER.