MILITARY THOUGHT

Course description
The course, military thought, essentially deals with a social
phenomenon evolving in the history of society. It also tries to
show how war becomes the continuation of political struggle
indifferent forms.
The course examines the army, as an organization, formed to
fight wars and its institutional links with the society at large.
The characteristics of the army are portrayed in relation to the
conduct and nature of wars.
The course gives attention to the study of military science and
art; and also provides the Students with the concepts of military
doctrine, strategy, operation; and relationship between them.
The course concludes by discussing the national interest of the
nation; its instruments of national power as well as the relation
exiting between them.

Course objectives
Upon completion of this course, the students
to:

would be able

Analyze the foundation of basic military thought, the causes and

characteristics of war, its development and its links to economy and
politics.
Explain the origin of military science and art.
Understand and analyze the concepts of military doctrine and
strategy as well as their relation.
Understand the relation between national interests and instruments
of national power.

Mode of Delivery
Lecture
Individual and group exercise
Group discussion
Mode of Assessment
Mid exam Test--------------------Group assignment---Final exam------------Total--------------------

30%
20%
50%
100%

Contents
1. INTRODUCTION TO MILITARY THOUGHT
2. WHAT IS WAR?
2.1 CAUSES OF WAR
2.2 TYPES OF WAR
2.3 LEVELS OF WAR
2.4 PRINCIPLES OF WAR
3. ARMY/MILITARY ORGANIZATION
4. CONTRIBUTORS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARMY AND WAR
5. MILITARY DOCTRINE
6. MILITARY SCIENCE AND ART
7. MILITARY STRATEGY

Chapter I
Introduction
Military thought is a field of study
helping military students, historians
and other researchers to understand
the concepts and thoughts on war and
on military issues in the past, present
and future .

On War: Focuses on its meaning, nature, character and conduct of war

On military issues /Affairs/ : Focuses on those issues related with preparation for War
Military organization, training,
mobilization, development of weapons
The study of strategy and tactics
Developing and organization of reserve forces etc

Importance of the study

Create an understanding of war and related issues
Military activities are carried out with the knowledge of
military thought
Get Knowledge on problems related with military issues
and the direction of solving them
To forecast future trends
To understand the role of other fields of science to the
study of war and military issues

Contributes
to new
Military
strategy

Military Thought

Developed
Theory

Improves
theory

- Nature War
- Character of
war
- Conduct of
02/02/16
War

Military
Strategy
Sun tzu
Machiaveli
Jommini
Clausewitz
etc

Society
Economic
Social
Political
Technological

Tested in war

War

French
Revolution
WW I
WW II
etc

Lesson
learned
&
Strategy is
tested

Shape, Develop, &

improve
9

Important Issues to be considered while studying

military thought
1. It should be based on the scientific laws that govern war
and military issues
2. The political nature of war must be taken in to
consideration
War is the instrument of achieving political
objectives
Understanding the politics that governs and leads
the war is the key
3. Understanding the evolving character of war that each
war has its own peculiarities, no identical war exists
4. Understanding the political, economic, technological
contexts in which the war is conducted