Chapter II: Part I: Professional Judgment in Its Relation to the Successful

CONDUCT OF WAR.

Chapter

I Command and its Problems 7

The Implementation of National Policy--The Primary Function
of the Armed Forces--Military Strategy and Tactics--Command
of the Armed Forces--Unity of Effort--The Chain of
Command--Mutual Understanding--Indoctrination.

II Mental Processes and Human Tendencies 19

Natural Mental Processes--The Necessity for Logical
Thought--Principles in their Relation to Logical
Thought--Value and Limitations of Lists of Principles
of War--Formulation and Use of Principles--Summary of
Fundamental Considerations.

III Basic Principles Applicable to Military Problems (The
Fundamental Military Principle) 29

Review of Conclusions--Procedure--Suitability,
Feasibility, and Acceptability--Fundamental Principle for
Attainment of an End--Interdependency of Factors--Special
Nature of War--Factors in War--The Objective in
War--Military Operations--Salient Features--The Fundamental
Military Principle--Corollaries.

IV The Application of the Fundamental Military Principle
(Objectives--Their Selection and Attainment) 43

The Basis for Solution of a Military Problem--The Major
Components of a Military Problem--Essential
Elements--Selection of Correct Military Objectives--
Determination of Effective Military Operations--Physical
Objectives--Relative Positions--Apportionment of Fighting
Strength--Freedom of Action--Summary.

V The Four Steps in the Solution of a Military Problem 79

A Situation--The Incentive--The Assigned Objective--The
Motivating Task--The Natural Mental Processes--The Approach
to the Solution--The First Step--The Basic Problem--Tasks--
The Mission--Survey of Factors of Fighting Strength--Courses
of Action--Reflective Thinking--Naval Operations--Analysis
and Selection of Courses of Action--The Decision--The Second
Step--The Third Step--The Fourth Step--Sequence of Events in
the Four Steps--The Use of a Form in the Solution of
Problems--Conclusion.

*PART II. THE EXERCISE OF PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT IN PLANNING.

VI The Selection of a Correct Objective (Including the
Determination, in Proper Detail, of the Action Required
for its Attainment) The First Step--The Solution of a
Basic Problem (The Estimate of the Situation) 117

Process of solving a Problem--Sections of the Estimate
Form--Establishment of the Basis for Solution of the
Problem--Determination of Suitable, Feasible, and
Acceptable Courses of Action--Examination into the
Capabilities of the Enemy--Selection of the Best Course
of Action--The Decision.

VII The Resolution of the Required Action into Detailed
Operations (The Second Step--The Solution of Subsidiary
Problems) 155

Assumptions--Alternative Plans--Application of the
Essential Elements of a Favorable Military Operation--
Testing for Suitability, Feasibility, and Acceptability--
Formulation of Tasks--Organization of Task Groups--
Application of the Fundamental Military Principle to the
Determination of Objectives embodied in Tasks--Assembly
of Measures for Freedom of Action--Preparation of
Subsidiary Plans.

*PART III. THE EXERCISE OF PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT IN THE EXECUTION OF THE PLAN

VIII The Inauguration of the Planned Action (The Third
Step--The Formulation and Issue of Directives) 183

Scope of the Third Step--Military Plans and Military
Directives--Essentials of Military Directives--
Restatement of the Decision--Standard Forms for Plans
and Directives--The Order Form--Types of Naval
Directives.

IX The Supervision of the Planned Action (The Fourth Step) 197

Nature of the Discussion--Goal of Planning--Importance
of Execution--The Incentive--Conditions in War--
Recognition of New Problems--Nature of Readjustments
Required--Importance of the Will of the Commander--
Problems Involving Modification of the Basic Plan--
Problems Challenging Integrity of Basic Plan--Further
Procedure Applicable to such Problems of the Fourth
Step--The Running Estimate of the Situation--Journal
and Work Sheet--Special Remarks as to Entries--Summary.

*CONCLUSION 217

*APPENDIX

Outline Form of an Operation Plan 219
Tabular Form of the Estimate of the Situation 222

*INDEX 227

* Not included in the limited issue for use in Part I of the
Correspondence Course.