Central but Inadequate: The Application of Theory in Operation Iraqi Freedom

摘要

What good is military theory. Is it relevant in the real world or merely the stuff of academia. Does it affect how we plan and conduct war or is it all very interesting, but, in practice, irrelevant. Certainly, these are pertinent questions for a student of Military Thought and the Essence of War. This paper considers the relevance of theory in ground component planning for Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is a limited study drawn from my experience and observations as a member of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) planning staff from November 2002 to June 2003, specifically, as Chief of Intelligence Planning working within the C5. In that capacity, I participated in the plans and orders development, war gaming, and decision briefings that produced the ground campaign.