Appreciation of Tactical Agility as a Function of the Decision-Making Process (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781249458210)

This monograph discusses the components and characteristics of decision-making that are necessary to achieve the tactical agility required in AirLand Battle. As one of the four tenets of AirLine Doctrine, agility - the ability to decide and act faster than the enemy - is fundamental to AirLand Battle's approach to generating and applying combat power. It is a prerequisite for seizing, maintaining and exploiting the initiative. The study is based on the premise that it is the relative effect of combat power compared to that of the enemy which determines the outcomes of engagements and battles. It proceeds with a theoretical inquiry into the nature of agility as it relates to combat power, the environment of battle, and the decision-making process. Next it examines these relationships in the context of two historical examples: Balck's counterattack along the Chir River in December of 1942, and Wood's exploitation in the Nancy Bridgehead in September of 1944. Based on this theoretical and historical analysis, the study then presents a conceptual model of an 'agile decision-making process.' This conceptual model suggests how the basic decision-making process - a feedback control mechanism - can be adapted to the uncertain, unpredictable and constantly changing battlefield to achieve a relative combat power advantage through tactical agility. It considers how such an adapted process can deal with the inherent elements of risk and unstable probabilities on the battlefield to generate further opportunities for exploitation. In considering such a process, this discussion also identifies specific characteristics required in both the decision-making organization and, the leaders who make decisions, and those who execute them. Together, they represent a system of battle designed to meet the tactical agility requirements of AirLand Battle.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.