Planning For And Applying Military Force Quotes

“Many students of military operations attribute the operational and tactical successes of the German Army in World War II to its use of Auftragstaktik, or mission-type orders. [...]Fundamentally, the concept of intent rests on the notion that the reason a commander assigns a task, that is, its purpose, is more important than the task. The idea is to provide the why of a mission. If circumstances dictate, subordinate commanders may disregard the assigned task so long as they focus on accomplishing the purpose.”
― Paul K Van Riper, Planning For And Applying Military Force: An Examination Of Terms

“Clausewitz’ decisive point referred to a mass against which to concentrate force; Jomini’s represented “a portion of the enemy, such as a flank, or it may be a piece of terrain, the destruction of which will lead to a decision in the operation.” In a sense, Clausewitz looked at a decisive point as something to demolish; Jomini saw it as something to leverage. Those possessed with a Clausewitzian orientation usually talk of destroying decisive points, while those with a Jominian persuasion most often describe decisive points as places to dislocate or “unhinge” an enemy.”
― Paul K Van Riper, Planning For And Applying Military Force: An Examination Of Terms

“Over time theorists, scholars, and practitioners enlarged upon the simple ends, means model, and selected terms to support more detailed and explicit planning. They recognized that how, that is, the methods or ways, means are employed is important, thus, the current ends, ways, and means paradigm. In trying to understand where to focus the available means, theoreticians created concepts such as center of gravity and decisive points. Likewise, knowing why a military expected to use force led to notions of intent or commander’s intent, terms used to identify the purpose of an action. The desire for tools to permit assigning certain responsibilities to specific units saw creation of terms like mission and objectives. Finally came a term to describe the desired post-conflict or after-battle situation, or end-state.”
― Paul K Van Riper, Planning For And Applying Military Force: An Examination Of Terms

“At its most basic level, planning requires that a leader have an idea of the outcome or results desired from a plan. In addition, execution of a plan requires resources. Said differently, planning consists of determining and then balancing ends and means. Not surprisingly, classical theorists acknowledged the importance of first identifying ends and then matching the means needed to achieve those ends.”
― Paul K Van Riper, Planning For And Applying Military Force: An Examination Of Terms