Lesson 45 Finishing Touches

Final Exam Friday, May 1, :30 AM – 2:20 PM IC 117

Red Flags in National Security Statements that should wave a red flag “They’ll never come through the Ardennes.” “The logistics will take care of itself” “It’s a slam dunk!” “They’ll never crack this code.” “Of course they’ll honor our treaty.” “They’ll never honor that scrap of paper.” “The rules are different this time.” “That’s always the way it has played out in the past.”

Lessons Learned Technology evolves faster than tactics Understand lessons of peace better than lessons of war … … but we tend to ignore both! Geography (geopolitics) is an important consideration Appeasement only works for so long “We can’t can’t want victory more than they do” Assumes will bite you somewhere (where and when you least expect Knowing your objectives is critical In class 4/24/15 Spring 2015 ( Continued next slide )

Lessons Learned Logistics is key! Air superiority is critical Sea control is critical Control of the “global commons” (sea, air, space & cyberspace) Clear definition of victory Consider the consequences One person’s limited war may be another’ total war “Never break another man’s rice bowl” In class 4/24/15 Previous Years Spring 2015 Part II

Lessons Learned Predicting the Future "... we are not very good at predicting the future. Harry G. Summers, Jr. (p 4) "To Provide For the Common Defense" Parameters, September 1982, pp 2-10 By the same token, as we emerged from the Korean War, the maps of the world did not show Vietnam. It was still part of French Indochina." For example, as we emerged from World War II the locality of our next conflict -- Korea -- could not even be found on world maps. It was still labeled by its Japanese name, Chosen.

Course Review What’s important? Everything! OK, here is what you need to focus on …

Course Objectives The successful student will gain the historical foundation and framework to support informed discussion and analysis of modern warfare, its causes, conduct, and consequences.

Course Objectives Understand and trace the historical roots of the strategies, operational concepts, and weapons employed in modern wars. Trace key technological threads in the history of warfare and appreciate their continuing significance in modern war. Understand the concept of revolutions in military affairs and their impact on warfare in the 20th century and beyond. Understand the impacts of modern war on society and society on modern war. Develop an historical appreciation for the moral and ethical issues of modern war. Specifically, the successful student will be able to:

Threads & Themes The Circle of Modern War: Society Technology Military Science Society Match/Mismatch between national objectives and national strategy Core Weapons: Infantry weapons, artillery, naval armament, aircraft Logistics as the lynchpin of modern war Offense vs. defense Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMA)

Six Takeaways 1. “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes” 2. Two Constants of Modern War 3. Three Levels of Warfare 4. Four Horseman of the Apocalypse * 5. Five Instruments of National Power 6. Six Tests Before Going to War (Weinberger) Four traditional, one modern: Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic, Resolve - Logistics wins wars - Economics causes wars 1. Can you guess? War, Famine, Conquest, and Death * Not in the course but needed one with four bullets

Course Review Focus your review on the Study Guides for each of the three blocks of instruction These are grouped at the end of the Lectures page (click)Lectures page (click) The material for Lessons (starting with the A-bomb lecture) will be on the exam in questions much like these in Exams 1 & 2 (short answers, identification, chronology, etc.) The material from Lessons 1-14 and will be used in broader concept questions addressing the major themes of the course. There will be a few repeat detail questions from Exams 1 & 2 Be sure to review the ones you missed!

Total War … and thus become legitimate military targets... Total war: one in which the whole population and all the resources of the combatants are committed to complete victory 13 … and the laws of warfare are ignored.

The United States should not commit forces to combat overseas unless the particular engagement or occasion is deemed vital to our national interest or that of our allies.... If we decide it is necessary to put combat troops into a given situation, we should do so wholeheartedly and with the clear intention of winning.... If we do decide to commit forces to combat overseas, we should have clearly defined political and military objectives.... The relationship between our objectives and the forces we have committed -- their size, composition, and disposition -- must be continually reassessed and adjusted if necessary.... Before the United States commits combat forces abroad, there must be some reasonable assurance we will have the support of the American people and their elected representatives in Congress.... The commitment of US forces to combat should be a last resort. Weinberger Doctrine

Final Thoughts “There is only one reason to go to war … Anna Quindlen “The Warrior Returns”, Newsweek, April 14, 2008 It is that you have a cause so great that it justifies asking people to sacrifice their children.” The Seventh Test

Final Thoughts Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry, American Patriot March 23, 1775 On the other hand …

Final Thoughts “It is better to die free men than to live as slaves.” Frederick Douglass “Men of Color, To Arms!”, March 2, 1863 On the other hand …

Rite of Passage I pass you the keys to the History of Modern War: Link

Final Exam Friday, May 1, :30 AM – 2:20 PM IC 117 (and don’t forget your CIOS survey!)

I wish all of you success … … and happy landings! Trail 32

Don’t forget CIOS evaluation

Lessons Learned Fall 2006 Logistics wins wars We never learn the lessons of war Define objectives up front Planned short wars usually aren’t Sea control & air superiority must come first Need to be ready & willing to use all resources Industrial power is a measure of war power Understand the impact of technology Home Front support vital Intelligence is critical

Lessons Learned Logistics is important Resolve is an important element in war Clear objectives - Begin with the end in mind Have a Plan B (reassess) We never learn the lessons of history Technology - need appropriate technology - match technology tactics - constantly evolving One persons limited is another’s total war - empathize with your enemy In class 12/3/09

Lessons Learned Instruments of national power Look at the war before Weinberger Logistics are key One man’s limited war is another’s total war Total War Levels of war In class 12/9/10 Return Fall 2010

Lessons Learned Logistics matters Weinberger The character of war determines the nature of conflict Different tactics & weapons but basic principles are same Winning the battles doesn’t win the war New technologies aren’t always recognized – require new mindset History doesn’t necessarily repeat but there are patterns Inaction (kinetic) can be an acceptable action In class 12/6/12 Fall 2012 ( Continued next slide )

Lessons Learned One man’s limited war is another’s total war Difference between strategy & tactics Importance of how we end wars No war takes place in a vacuum Lesson Learned vs. Lesson Recorded Importance of all element of national power In class 12/6/12 Return Fall 2012 Part II

Rite of Passage I pass you the keys to the History of Modern War: Link