Military Strategy provides an overview of the fundamentals of military strategy, strategic theory, and the history of military strategy through an Integrative Experience that prepares cadets to evaluate strategic decision-making by considering the relevant political, social, economic and technological context. By the end of the course, each graduate will be able to understand, analyze and effectively communicate both the relation of tactical action to American national policy and the use that is made of force in the international system because as commissioned officers they will directly contribute to the nation?s strategic performance in war. In order to achieve that goal, DS470 cadets will actively learn, apply and analyze case studies utilizing major theoretical and historical concepts in military strategy through individual critical thinking and creativity, group collaboration and peer instruction, and oral and written communication.
This course provides an overview of how national security strategy is translated into effective military strategy. The course addresses three central issues: (1) the appropriate ends of military strategy, (2) the ways we use our military capabilities to achieve national objectives, (3) and the means applied to achieved desired strategic end states. The first part of the course focuses on strategic fundamentals to include enduring theoretical approaches to strategy and basic strategic principles. Next, we apply knowledge from the first part of the course to assess strategy through the detailed examination of historical case studies. Finally, we examine current US strategic systems and how national-level strategy is synthesized into effective theater level military strategy. This includes examination of the roles and responsibilities of the various combatant commands, the examination of regional strategic issues and how our military addresses those issues, as well as the limitations of military force in the 21st century security environment.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Research paper on a current strategic concept; compensatory time provided.
