Evolution of Operational Art: A Neverending Story

摘要

The operational level of war lies at the heart of the United States Army'swarfighting doctrine and the focus of this level of war is the operational art. In order to successfully prosecute war at the operational level, American military commanders must understand how and why operational art developed. For as long as mankind has organized to make war it has operated at the strategic and tactical levels of war. At the strategic level of war, nations and states practice the art and science of employing armed forces and other elements of national power to attain their objectives. At the tactical level of war military commanders practice the art and science of employing military forces and supporting means to win battles and engagements. At some point in time a linking level of war evolved in response to the increasing complexity of society and the corresponding difficulty of prosecuting wars. This level of war is the operational level of war and is nearly as old as recorded history. The operational level of war has always been the 'vital link between strategic aims and the employment of forces on the battlefield.'.