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Military History
OCS Phase II Military History Exam
Question | Answer |
---|---|
What is Military History? | The record of all activities of all armed forces in war AND peace |
4 Types of Military History | Operational - Institutional - Biographical - Social & Technological |
Operational Military History | Battles, Campaigns, Tactics and Planning |
Institutional Military History | Preparing for war, how to train for war |
Biographical Military History | Military lives, great and not so great |
Social & Technological | Context for operations |
7 uses of military history | Learn from the past - Understand military concepts - Study lives of soldiers of the past - Understand doctrinal evolution - Broaden knowledge of military subjects - Understand leadership issues - Learn about strategy and tactics |
7 Constants of war | Terrain - Logistics - Communications - Technology - Surprise - Leadership - Troop readiness |
Terrain | Shapes the battlefield, dictates routes of advance, dictates deffensive positions |
Logistics | Roads, rail, airfields, ports..how all of these afect the ability to sustain forces in combat |
Communications | Ability to issue orders, stay in contact with other friendly forces...SITUATIONAL AWARENESS |
Technology | Modernity of weapons compared to the opposing force and the ability to understand and use the weapons |
Surprise | Unexpected developments which occur despite best efforts to reduce uncertainty |
Leadership | Experience, ability, military genius of friendly and opposing forces |
Troop Readiness | Levels of training, cohesiveness of units, equipment, etc. |
Military history provides | Understanding and insight, NOT PROOF. |
Types of activities included in Mil. History: | Battles, campaigns, strategy, tactics, doctrine, training, leaders, technology, etc. |
Who is Blumenson? | He developed the 'constants of war'. Wrote 'Relevence of Kassarine' |
3 most important principles in studying military history? | Begin with what interests you; study continuously; develop a study plan |
How can subordinates be taught the value of military history? | Help them determine what is of interest to them, encourage them to study continuously and help them develop a study plan |
What is Battle Analysis? | A method used by the Army to provide a SYSTEMATIC APPROACH to the study of battles, campaigns, etc. |
4 steps to Battle Analysis | Define the subject; Set the stage; Describe the action; Draw lessons and insights |
Define the subject | What, Where, When and Who and Determine the sources |
What, Where, When and Who | Pick a subject appropriate to the level of operations of interest. Select a topic related to the types of lessons learned. |
Determine the Sources | Quantity and type of sources Quality of sources |
Set the Stage (4 steps) | Strategic Factors; Operational Setting; Tactical Situation; Compare forces |
Strategic Factors | Type of conflict Objectives of the antagonists Military Systems Pervious experience of forces |
Operational Setting | Context Objectives Additional factors (alliances, tactics, doctrine and personalities) |
Tactical Situation | Alternatives Area of Operations Weather Terrain |
Compare Forces | Size and composition Technology Intelligence C3 (command, control, communiciation) |
Draw Lessons and Insights | Cause and Effect Military Lessons |
How can leaders describe battle analysis methodology to subordinates? | Who won, Who lost? What were the constants that affected the outcome? Why did events turn out the way they did? |
What are two elements of drawing lessons and insights from a battle analysis? | Establish cause and effect Establish military lessons and determine their relevance to contemporary military professionalism. |
Types of research sources used to support a battle analysis? | Books (memoirs, official histories) articles primary sources (memos, letters, interviews, AARs) oral histories |