Military Movements and the Principles of War

Military movements play critical roles at all three levels of war: tactical, operational, and strategic. This essay explores how the principles of war apply specifically to military movements in the rapidly changing global environment of the late twentieth century. Military movement is critical because it is a means by which ways are made effective to achieve ends. Military movement or the credible potential for movement, is essential for the application of each of the principles of war to any conceivable military situation, whether deterrence or combat. Maneuver superiority is essential to the success of future military operations. We must train and tailor our land, sea, and air forces to support our new National Security Strategy-especially in the execution of decisive military movements.