Military doctrine

Military doctrine is a fundamental framework for how armed forces operate. It expresses how military forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, and battles. A doctrine outlines which military means to use and how forces should be structured. It also dictates where forces are deployed and how different types of forces cooperate. When multinational forces or joint service operations share aligned doctrines, it is called "joint doctrine."

There are three broad categories of military doctrines used by nations. Offensive doctrines aim to punish an adversary. Defensive doctrines aim to deny an adversary their objectives. Deterrent doctrines aim to disarm an adversary to prevent conflict. These choices have significant implications for world politics. For instance, offensive doctrines often lead to arms races and increased conflicts.

Doctrine provides a conceptual framework for a military service. It helps a service answer core questions about its identity and purpose. These questions include "Who are we?" and "What is our mission?" It also addresses "How do we do that?" and "How did we do that in the past?" Doctrine is not the same as operations or tactics. Instead, it serves as a framework that unites all three levels of warfare. It reflects the professional judgments of military officers and civilian leaders.

While doctrine provides the framework, it is distinct from strategy. Strategy is the method of applying military power to achieve national objectives. The United States Department of Defense defines strategy as a set of ideas for using national power in a synchronized fashion. Field Marshal Viscount Alan Brooke described strategy as deriving military objectives from policy aims. He noted that leaders must measure available resources against these requirements. Doctrine supports this by providing the shared understanding needed to execute those strategies.

Historical definitions of doctrine vary by era and nation. In 1923, J F C Fuller called doctrine the "central idea of an army." In 1948, a U.S. Air Force study defined it as the principles and procedures essential for efficiency in training and equipping units. The 1965 Soviet Dictionary described doctrine as having two aspects. The social-political aspect covers political goals and is considered the more stable side. The military-technical aspect includes military structure, technical equipment, and training methods.

Different countries develop unique doctrines based on their specific needs. China's doctrine is influenced by Sun Tzu and Mao Zedong. It emphasizes the relationship between the military and society. Israel's doctrine is shaped by its small size and lack of strategic depth. To compensate, Israel relies on deterrence and qualitative superiority. It uses a strategy of defense that is operationally offensive to secure quick victories. This approach helps manage the high cost of mobilizing reservists during long wars.

Other nations have used doctrine to adapt to changing circumstances. Following the Franco-Prussian War, France emphasized officer training to create a consistent doctrine. Before WWI, France used an offensive doctrine, but later adopted a defensive one using the Maginot Line. Germany utilized "Auftragstaktik," or mission-type tactics, to allow for flexibility and initiative. This helped commanders overcome "friction," such as weather delays or communication errors. India has recently adopted the "Cold Start" doctrine. This involves rapid mobilization to take offensive action within a 72-hour period during a crisis.