The Foundation of Operational Art in the Naval Service

This paper examines the underlying components that construct the basis for the employment of operational art within the Naval Service. The primary objective of the paper was to gain a better understanding of naval operational art by achieving a more comprehensive knowledge of its foundation which is formed by a triad of the Naval Service's vision, doctrine and practice. Each element is examined from an historical and current operational perspective. Particular emphasis is placed upon how each of these elements shape the way the Navy and Marine Corps support national security objectives and/or a CINC's regional peacetime and wartime campaign plans. The paper also attempts to provide some insight as to where the Naval Service needs to focus regarding its future. The vision must provide the direction for determining the operational capabilities that the Naval Service must maintain or acquire. The doctrine must provide the means for translating the vision into practice and for ensuring that there is a common basis for action. Operational art, Naval expeditionary forces.