Operational Encirclement in Future Limited Conventional Wars: OverwhelmingSuccess and Doctrinal Illusion

摘要

This monograph examines and analyzes operational encirclement from theperspective of current doctrine and the future Joint Force Commander (JFC). This analysis explores some elements of operational art in relation to future warfighting. Military theorists are divided on the risks and benefits of operational encirclement. The high rewards of operational encirclement are inviting to JFC's, and are validated through historical example. There are some stunning case studies of failure due to a variety of reasons. Generally, these failures can be attributed to oversight of several facets of operational art. This paper concludes that there are many considerations the JFC must take into account in the planning and execution of operational encirclement. This monograph recommends that US operational doctrine be updated to include operational encirclement as an operational maneuver in its own right, distinguish three different types of encirclements, and revise breakout operations. Tactical doctrine should be modified to reflect the revised operational methods.