WS-2 Making Strategy

Question 1

1. Define doctrine.

Answer 1

a. A statement of officially sanctioned beliefs, war-fighting principles, and terminology that describes and guides the proper use of air and space forces in military operations.

Question 2

2. State a primary reason a commander may be forced to depart from doctrine.

Answer 2

a. As leaders develop strategies for particular contingencies, political, economic, or social considerations may dictate strategic and operational approaches that modify or depart from accepted doctrine.

Question 3

3. STATE how a nation determines its national objectives. [APT Review] P.23

Answer 3

a. VITAL
b. MAJOR
c. PERIPHERAL
i. Extension of vital interests
i. Vital interests is an interest on which the nation is unwilling to compromise
ii. Vital interest is one over which a nation will go to war

Question 4

4. List in order the five steps in the strategy process.

Answer 4

a. determination of national objectives at both the macro- and micro levels
b. determine which instruments of national power are necessary to achieve the objectives and how those instruments are to be used
c. develop military strategy
d. develop operational strategy
e. formulate and execute battlefield strategy (tactics)

Question 5

5. Identify external factors that influence the strategy process.

Answer 5

a. the nature of the threat
b. domestic and international politics
c. economics, technology, physical environment
d. geography, cultural heritage, and military doctrine