xi 5 therefore, facilitated understanding the operational environment and informed planning. Stra... more xi 5 therefore, facilitated understanding the operational environment and informed planning. Strange's concept also supported his assertion that centers of gravity are not characteristics, locations, or capabilities, but they are moral, political, and physical entities that either posses characteristics and capabilities, or benefit from a given location or terrain. Most importantly for this manuscript, Strange explicitly supports that multiple centers of gravity vary by time, space, and purpose. 33 Strange subdivided centers of gravity into moral and physical types. Moral centers of gravity could include leaders and popular support, and physical centers of gravity could include military forces, economic power, and large populations. Strange also emphasized that centers of gravity are dynamic, meaning they vary with time and by context. Strange defined critical capabilities as the primary abilities which make a center of gravity as such in the context of a given scenario. Strange's examples of CCs were to remain alive, stay informed, communicate, and remain influential. As they are something that the center of gravity does, critical capabilities are normally verbs. The third aspect was critical requirements, which are conditions, resources, or means for a CC fully effective. An example of a CR was the support of the people and powerful national leaders. CRs are normally nouns. Finally, critical vulnerabilities are deficient or vulnerable CRs or CR components; thus, one can exploit CVs in order to attack an enemy center of gravity. Strange also emphasized that a center of gravity cannot be a critical vulnerability at the same time. Like CRs, CVs are normally nouns. 34
OPERATIONS Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom underscore America's reputation as the world... more OPERATIONS Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom underscore America's reputation as the world's most powerful, influential maritime power. Guaranteed access "from the sea" and "sovereign power forward" provides a critical capability, even in the campaign in landlocked, mountainous Afghanistan.1 More than 200 years ago the world began to accelerate exponentially because of developments wrought by the scientific and industrial revolutions. At that time, Great Britain and Napoleonic-era France were locked in a life-or-death struggle. That mere water could so frustrate his genius in his 20-year struggle with the British Empire infuriated Napoleon: "With 30,000 men in transports the English . . . can paralyze 300,000 of my Army, and that will reduce us to a secondclass power."2 Great Britain's power was based principally on a marriage of maritime power with effective diplomacy. After Napoleon's defeat, the world entered a period of peace with Gr...
The U.S. Navy’s current trajectory may remind the reader of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) prio... more The U.S. Navy’s current trajectory may remind the reader of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) prior to the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific in late 1941. This article argues that many of the same problems the IJN faced against its larger U.S. opponent in World War II exist today in the U.S. Navy’s planning and preparation for possible conflict with the People’s Republic of China. Problems that both navies share include brittle readiness, planning for a short war with a resulting doctrine to match, and a fleet that is too small to sustain any form of attritional war at sea. The article further argues that in many senses the U.S. Navy is less prepared today than was the IJN in 1941. The author provides several recommendations for how to begin to correct these difficulties.
This comprehensive volume traces the evolution of Japanese military history—from 300 AD to presen... more This comprehensive volume traces the evolution of Japanese military history—from 300 AD to present day foreign relations—and reveals how the country’s cultural views of power, violence, and politics helped shape Japan's long and turbulent history of war. The legacy of Japanese warfare is steeped in honor, duty, and valor. Yet, some of the more violent episodes in this country’s military history have tainted foreign attitudes toward Japan, oftentimes threatening the economic stability of the Pacific region. This book documents Japan’s long and stormy history of war and military action, provides a thorough analysis of the social and political changes that have contributed to the evolution of Japan’s foreign policy and security decisions, and reveals the truth behind the common myths and misconceptions of this nation’s iconic war symbols and events, including samurais, warlords, and kamikaze attacks. Written by an author with military experience and insight into modern-day Japanese...
This article examines the strategic challenges faced by Admirals Elmo Zumwalt and James Holloway ... more This article examines the strategic challenges faced by Admirals Elmo Zumwalt and James Holloway as chiefs of naval operations in the 1970s. Zumwalt’s charter was to reform the U.S. Navy, but it included a charge to address Navy strategy in the face of a growing Soviet maritime threat. He succeeded, but his successor, Admiral Holloway, who is less known, provided much needed stability for the fleet in the wake of Zumwalt’s reforms. Holloway continued to refine the ideas of Zumwalt and Admiral Stansfield Turner that eventually became the maritime strategy of the 1980s. The challenges they overcame provide insights for similar challenges today.
"Eyewitness Pacific Theater" tells the remarkable story of U.S. operations in the Pacif... more "Eyewitness Pacific Theater" tells the remarkable story of U.S. operations in the Pacific during World War II, by documenting the experiences of the men and women who were stationed there. Written by award-winning author D.M. Giangreco and venerable Commander John T. Kuehn, this volume is illustrated with hundreds of photographs, including wartime pictures of the veterans themselves. Bringing the full force of personal recollections home to the reader, "Eyewitness Pacific Theater" is accompanied by a full-length compact disc of interviews produced by Emmy Award-winning historical documentarians Rob Lihani and Rob Kirk in collaboration with First Person Productions. Listen to dramatic tales in the voices of the Allied soldiers, sailors, airmen and medical personnel as they recount the tragedies and triumphs of life during wartime in the Pacific Theater.
xi 5 therefore, facilitated understanding the operational environment and informed planning. Stra... more xi 5 therefore, facilitated understanding the operational environment and informed planning. Strange's concept also supported his assertion that centers of gravity are not characteristics, locations, or capabilities, but they are moral, political, and physical entities that either posses characteristics and capabilities, or benefit from a given location or terrain. Most importantly for this manuscript, Strange explicitly supports that multiple centers of gravity vary by time, space, and purpose. 33 Strange subdivided centers of gravity into moral and physical types. Moral centers of gravity could include leaders and popular support, and physical centers of gravity could include military forces, economic power, and large populations. Strange also emphasized that centers of gravity are dynamic, meaning they vary with time and by context. Strange defined critical capabilities as the primary abilities which make a center of gravity as such in the context of a given scenario. Strange's examples of CCs were to remain alive, stay informed, communicate, and remain influential. As they are something that the center of gravity does, critical capabilities are normally verbs. The third aspect was critical requirements, which are conditions, resources, or means for a CC fully effective. An example of a CR was the support of the people and powerful national leaders. CRs are normally nouns. Finally, critical vulnerabilities are deficient or vulnerable CRs or CR components; thus, one can exploit CVs in order to attack an enemy center of gravity. Strange also emphasized that a center of gravity cannot be a critical vulnerability at the same time. Like CRs, CVs are normally nouns. 34
OPERATIONS Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom underscore America's reputation as the world... more OPERATIONS Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom underscore America's reputation as the world's most powerful, influential maritime power. Guaranteed access "from the sea" and "sovereign power forward" provides a critical capability, even in the campaign in landlocked, mountainous Afghanistan.1 More than 200 years ago the world began to accelerate exponentially because of developments wrought by the scientific and industrial revolutions. At that time, Great Britain and Napoleonic-era France were locked in a life-or-death struggle. That mere water could so frustrate his genius in his 20-year struggle with the British Empire infuriated Napoleon: "With 30,000 men in transports the English . . . can paralyze 300,000 of my Army, and that will reduce us to a secondclass power."2 Great Britain's power was based principally on a marriage of maritime power with effective diplomacy. After Napoleon's defeat, the world entered a period of peace with Gr...
The U.S. Navy’s current trajectory may remind the reader of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) prio... more The U.S. Navy’s current trajectory may remind the reader of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) prior to the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific in late 1941. This article argues that many of the same problems the IJN faced against its larger U.S. opponent in World War II exist today in the U.S. Navy’s planning and preparation for possible conflict with the People’s Republic of China. Problems that both navies share include brittle readiness, planning for a short war with a resulting doctrine to match, and a fleet that is too small to sustain any form of attritional war at sea. The article further argues that in many senses the U.S. Navy is less prepared today than was the IJN in 1941. The author provides several recommendations for how to begin to correct these difficulties.
This comprehensive volume traces the evolution of Japanese military history—from 300 AD to presen... more This comprehensive volume traces the evolution of Japanese military history—from 300 AD to present day foreign relations—and reveals how the country’s cultural views of power, violence, and politics helped shape Japan's long and turbulent history of war. The legacy of Japanese warfare is steeped in honor, duty, and valor. Yet, some of the more violent episodes in this country’s military history have tainted foreign attitudes toward Japan, oftentimes threatening the economic stability of the Pacific region. This book documents Japan’s long and stormy history of war and military action, provides a thorough analysis of the social and political changes that have contributed to the evolution of Japan’s foreign policy and security decisions, and reveals the truth behind the common myths and misconceptions of this nation’s iconic war symbols and events, including samurais, warlords, and kamikaze attacks. Written by an author with military experience and insight into modern-day Japanese...
This article examines the strategic challenges faced by Admirals Elmo Zumwalt and James Holloway ... more This article examines the strategic challenges faced by Admirals Elmo Zumwalt and James Holloway as chiefs of naval operations in the 1970s. Zumwalt’s charter was to reform the U.S. Navy, but it included a charge to address Navy strategy in the face of a growing Soviet maritime threat. He succeeded, but his successor, Admiral Holloway, who is less known, provided much needed stability for the fleet in the wake of Zumwalt’s reforms. Holloway continued to refine the ideas of Zumwalt and Admiral Stansfield Turner that eventually became the maritime strategy of the 1980s. The challenges they overcame provide insights for similar challenges today.
"Eyewitness Pacific Theater" tells the remarkable story of U.S. operations in the Pacif... more "Eyewitness Pacific Theater" tells the remarkable story of U.S. operations in the Pacific during World War II, by documenting the experiences of the men and women who were stationed there. Written by award-winning author D.M. Giangreco and venerable Commander John T. Kuehn, this volume is illustrated with hundreds of photographs, including wartime pictures of the veterans themselves. Bringing the full force of personal recollections home to the reader, "Eyewitness Pacific Theater" is accompanied by a full-length compact disc of interviews produced by Emmy Award-winning historical documentarians Rob Lihani and Rob Kirk in collaboration with First Person Productions. Listen to dramatic tales in the voices of the Allied soldiers, sailors, airmen and medical personnel as they recount the tragedies and triumphs of life during wartime in the Pacific Theater.
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