Halsey and Spruance: A Study in Operational-Tactical Command

摘要

ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL POSTS TO WHICH ANY MILITARY OFFICER CAN ASPIRE IS THATOF OPERATIONAL COMMANDER OF NATIONAL JOINT OR COMBINED FORCES. IT IS CRITICAL BECAUSE THE PERSON IN THAT POSITION HAS A VERY GREAT POTENTIAL TO ASSURE EITHER THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE MILITARY FORCES ENTRUSTED TO THEM. OPERATIONAL COMMANDERS STAND ASTRIDE BOTH THE STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL LEVELS OF WAR. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TRANSLATE STRATEGIC GOALS AND TASKS INTO MILITARILY ACHIEVABLE OPERATIONAL, OR EVEN STRATEGIC GOALS. IF THERE IS A CONGRUENCE BETWEEN ENDS AND MEANS AND STRATEGY THEN THE OPERATIONAL COMMANDER MUST ENSURE THAT THE THREE ELEMENTS ARE HARMONIZED.