God Bless America!
……”stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with the light from above”…
The Principles of War Revisited
By:
Paul E. Vallely, MG – US Army (Ret)
Released by Stand Up America US Foundation
2/27/2019
After a careful examination and analysis of the international and national situation and the major threats to the United States, I am recommending that President Trump begin using several of the Principles to secure America for the future. Mr. President, it is time to go on the offense, as you are doing in other areas like the economy, reducing regulations and providing employment for many Americans. Playing defense politically, in any way, will never defeat/overcome the Socialist Democrats and weak Republicans in the long run! Foreign threats are a different issue and will not be addressed here. The battle at our Border is a real war! The principles of war that I learned as a student during my studies at West Point, and later at the Army War College, provided me insights into the use of offense and defense in war and politics. Clausewitz in his book, “On War” has been very influential on military and political thinking.
The initial essay dealt with the tactics of combat and suggested the following general principles.
Clausewitz focuses on the importance of moral factors, making the best use of the few means available, as well as calmness and firmness, and without firm resolution no great results can be achieved with success.
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· Discover how we may gain a preponderance of physical forces and material advantages at the decisive point.
· To calculate moral factors.
· Make the best use of the few means at our disposal.
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· Never lack calmness and firmness…without this firm resolution, no great results can be achieved in the most successful war.
· Always have the choice between the most audacious and the most careful solution…no military leader has ever become great without audacity.
Based on the above, Clausewitz went on to suggest principles for tactics.
· The Defense
· The Offense
· The Use of Troops/Forces are more effective in a concentric rather than in a parallel attack; attack concentrically without having decisive superiority in an engagement.
· Always seek to envelop that part of the enemy against which we direct our main attack
· I would also add the importance of using strategic psychology in dealing with opponents.
Clausewitz also included in the essay general principles of strategy by saying that Warfare has several main objects. The ones that are starred should be considered and used by President Trump:
· To conquer and destroy the power of the enemy
· To take possession of his material and other sources of strength, and to direct our operations against the places where most of these resources are concentrated.*
· To gain public opinion, won through great victories. *
· Use our entire force with the utmost energy.*
· The decisive point of attack
· Surprise plays a much greater role in tactics than in strategy.*
· An attack on the lines of communication takes effect only very
slowly, while victory on the field of battle bears fruit immediately
· In strategy, therefore, the side that is surrounded by the enemy is
better off than the side which surrounds its opponent, especially
with equal or even weaker forces
· Be physically and morally superior. *
I am not in any way suggesting that military action options be advanced in the United States but for the President and his supporters to use these Principles as necessary to save the Republic from destruction.
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MG Vallely is Chairman, Stand Up America US
Contact: chairmanstandupamericaus@gmail.com
Paul E Vallely MG, US Army (Ret)
Chairman, Stand Up America US Foundation
Chairman – Legacy National Security Advisory Group
Founding Member – Citizens Commission on National Security
Co – Trustee , Soldiers Memorial Fund Foundation
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