Commander's Intent: It's Evolution in the United States Army.

This monograph examines the origins of the concept of conveying the intentions of the commander to subordinates from its initial appearance in Army doctrine in 1905 until the present day. While many believe they understand the genesis of this concept, this review of doctrine and professional writings from 1897 until the present, demonstrates how different generations of Army leaders have used the same concept in different environments. By examination of the history of the concept today referred to as commander's intent, this monograph shows how doctrine in general evolves and matures in the Army. This is relevant as the Army moves into a new century, and seeks to determine a doctrine appropriate for the time. By comparing the situation the Army faced at the dawn of the last century, and following the maturation of the concept of commander's intent, this monograph demonstrates that doctrinal concepts are fundamentally applicable over time, and that the more we may think we change as an institution, the more we stay the same.