Fighting Without Boundaries: Unleashing Initiative on the Tactical Battlefield

This monograph examines how the U.S. Army can restructure the decision making process to release initiative on the battlefield. Army tactical units execute missions on a chaotic, uncertain, and disorderly battlefield. Leaders' actions are guided by a doctrine which is authoritative, requires judgment in application, and when understood and accepted, provides a common framework to think, train, plan, and operate in this uncertain environment. Within Army doctrine, initiative is considered a fundamental characteristic of successful operations. This monograph first examines what is written in Army manuals about initiative, the decision making process, and the combat orders which articulate the intentions of the superior commander to subordinate leaders. Second, the doctrine is analyzed from a variety of perspectives ranging from complexity theory to the construction of social reality. Next, the previous discussions are illustrated with the actions of the 37th Tank Battalion from 24 December to 27 December 1944 during the Ardennes counteroffensive. Finally, this monograph shows that a common purpose must be more fully and completely embedded in the decision making process and the resulting combat orders. Common purpose is the unifying element freeing initiative because a purpose eliminates a list of tasks. This monograph demonstrates the only reliable method of securing intelligent and adaptive initiative is through the enunciation of a common purpose.