4. Modern Principles of Strategic Conflict

Question 1

What is the hallmark of a sound principle?

Answer 1

1. Its successful application across time and circumstances

Question 2

How many principles of war are there?

Answer 2

1. 9

Question 3

What is the first Principle of War?

Answer 3

1. Objective

Question 4

What does the principle of “Objective” refer to?

Answer 4

1. Direct every operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective

Question 5

What is the 2nd Principle of War?

Answer 5

1. Offensive

Question 6

What does the principle of “Offensive” refer to?

Answer 6

1. Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative

Question 7

What is the 3rd Principle of War?

Answer 7

1. Mass

Question 8

What does the principle of “Mass” refer to?

Answer 8

1. Mass the effects of overwhelming power at the decisive place and time

Question 9

What is the 4th Principle of War?

Answer 9

1. Economy of Force

Question 10

What does the principle of “Economy of Force” refer to?

Answer 10

1. Employ all power available in the most effective way possible
2. Allocate minimum essential power to secondary efforts

Question 11

What is the 5th Principle of War?

Answer 11

1. Maneuver

Question 12

What does the principle of “Maneuver” refer to?

Answer 12

1. Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of power

Question 13

What is the 6th Principle of War?

Answer 13

1. Unity of Command

Question 14

What does the principle of “Unity of Command” refer to?

Answer 14

1. For every objective, seek unity of command and unity of effort

Question 15

What is the 7th Principle of War?

Answer 15

1. Security

Question 16

What does the principle of “Security” refer to?

Answer 16

1. Never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage

Question 17

What is the 8th Principle of War?

Answer 17

1. Surprise

Question 18

What does the principle of “Surprise” refer to?

Answer 18

1. Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which it is unprepared

Question 19

What is the 9th Principle of War?

Answer 19

1. Simplicity

Question 20

What does the principle of “Simplicity” refer to?

Answer 20

1. Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders to ensure thorough understanding

Question 21

Why is objective the first principle of war?

Answer 21

1. It guides all the other principles