Teaching and learning the Operational Art of War

An Appraisal of Advanced Military Studies by Major John F. Gifford. "In general, the term operational art is misleading, because it implies that it deals only with practice. However, like strategy and tactics, operational art is both an art and a science. Each component of military art demands reflection, study, and practical application. The art aspect means that operational art, like the other two components, is ambiguous and imprecise, requiring a creative and highly innovative approach to its application. Therefore, the term operations would be more appropriate.

Historical perspectives of the Operational Art

" ... a unique study in the field of military history ... This study deals only with land warfare and is designed to show the doctrinal development and application of operational art in modern history. " From the Preface of the authors of this interesting collection of case studies.

16 Cases of Mission Command

"As the Army moves forward with Mission Command as its command philosophy, Combat Studies Institute offers a new work titled “16 Cases of Mission Command.” This collection of historical cases seeks to sharpen Soldiers' understanding of the command doctrine by providing examples from the past in which Mission Command principles played a decisive role. Some cases show junior officers following their commander’s intent and exercising disciplined initiative in very chaotic combat operations."

Air Power in Irregular Warfare

A thesis by Major Steven J. Ayre and Major Jeremy F. Hough.

"History is full of with examples of innovations that have proved essential to victory in war. Few innovations have provided the consistent and often decisive impact that air power has delivered in conflict. Across its relatively short history, the concept of air power has maintained a resiliency of innovation across the doctrinal, strategic, organizational, and technological levels. However, warfare itself has witnessed significant changes over the course of the last century. No longer is the classical, conventional state-onstate conflict the principal method of combating one’s enemies. In its place, irregular warfare (IW) has arguably become the norm in conflict today."