Warfare is continuously evolving, the military organizations waging the war and the ways in which militaries impose their will constantly change. Williamson Murray argues that success in innovation is linked to four distinct factors specificity, military culture, rigidity and misuse of military history. Although change in warfare is continuous, students of warfare can greatly benefit from recognizing and understanding aspects that do not change. The need for combined arms warfare and value of innovation were characteristics of warfare that remained constant from World War I to World War II, as illustrated by the German Army.
As illustrated by the German Army, the need for combined arms warfare was a characteristic of warfare that remained constant from World War I to World War II. Prior to the German Spring offensive of 1918, combined arms maneuver was scarcely employed on the western front. The predominant nature of early World War I warfare was primarily composed of principal arms fighting in an unsynchronized fashion. This type of fighting resulted in trench warfare as neither side could perceivably maneuver against the other side without withstanding unacceptable losses using nineteenth century tactics against twentieth century technology. In Spring of 1918, the German Chief of Staff, Erich von Ludendorff issued a set of offensive guidelines instructing infantry units to attack using machine guns, mortars, accompanying artillery support and engineers. German combined arms maneuver units were able to penetrate Allied defenses and achieve tactical success but without defined operational or strategic objectives the German Spring offensive failed.
Consequently, the Germans departed World War I determine...
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...pe innovation and lead change in an organization. The German Army following World War I experienced all the challenges the US Army is faced with to include: reduction of the force including officers, equipment constraints and a limited budget. The process of innovation is not impeded by these restrictions and in fact the restrictions can force decision makers to focus on what is important as well as provided opportunities for creative ideas to prosper. The use of combined arms warfare is essential on the modern battlefield. The US Military has learned tremendous lessons in the last decade fighting as a joint force and cannot afford to focus solely on service component training in order to remain effective in the next war. Officers must understand innovation is closely linked to organizational culture and frame of mind more so than short-term budget decisions.
Rather he focuses on the logistics of warfare through the innovations in gunfire, cannon manufacturing and operation, and defensive warfare. Moreover, Parker does not attempt to use his position and research to criticise other scholars position on the military revolution. He simply agrees with Michael Roberts definition and attempts to contribute his principles of innovation as a means to strengthen Roberts
Many of us complain about the tough hours we work or the amount of chores we have to complete, but think about the truly harsh conditions that young girls and women had to work in the textile industry with very little pay and no accolades. Back in the 18th century, when the Industrial Revolution struck, it made it hard for female mill workers to enjoy being employed. Due to the terrible working conditions, the amount of hours worked, and the low wages were a few of the similarities that the female mill workers in England and Japan shared.
The periods of 1200-1450 and 1450-1700 were polar opposites for a multitude of reasons but the most important reasons the two were different were, the invention of the printing press, the enlightenment, along with one man, Martin Luther. These three things changed the course of world history and brought upon a period that led to the updating of human nature at a previously unseen rate. They challenged what was though prior to 1450, and helped humanity to develop and expand. Without the printing press, the Enlightenment, and Martin Luther we would be living similar to the people of the time did, 500 years later.
World War Warfare was one of the greatest examples of technological advancement and strategic challenge, with the introduction of inventions such as the aircraft and the tank the battlefield transformed from attrition as scene in the early years of the war to decisive by the end of the war.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief analysis of the United States Army’s organizational structure and its culture and how these two elements impact its workers, associates and affiliates. This paper will first examine the Army’s history, development and structure to highlight the origins of the Army’s culture. Secondly, a brief history of the Army’s organizational development will be followed by a close examination of its philosophy and supporting beliefs. Lastly, this paper will discuss the role of the Army’s leadership, their response to critical issues and the organizational structure of the Army. An analysis of the army’s top leaders will help the reader to understand the Army culture more thoroughly in the context of the Army’s organizational structure. More specifically this section of the paper will examine the Army leadership’s response to the current geo-political environment and other related issues. In conclusion, this paper hopes to highlight the Army’s overall functioning from an organizational standpoint and emphasize that idea that the Army is like a functional corporation. This will be accomplished by addressing various key questions throughout this text.
Murray, Williamson R. (1998-08-13). Military Innovation in the Interwar Period (p. 242). Cambridge University Press
The modern world is linked through networks of communication and exchange between peoples. These exchanges between regions has changed cultures, economics, and politics. Through time the cultural influence between regions has consisted of many factors and elements but comes down to the spread of religion and religious teachings , movement of peoples, technological and cultural advancements affecting trade and commerce. Beginning with the Middle Ages in the years 1100-1500 , Africa, Asia, and Europe developed and influenced each other in several different ways. Starting with religion. The birth of Islam in the Middle East rapidly spread throughout Afro- Eurasia. Islam was attractive to people who were uninterested in the requirements of Christianity and the Church.
...a new branch was needed to combat these new threats on the battle field. Since 1918 the Army has done just that, we have adapted to the new technologies and techniques that today’s enemies are using.
Within World War I began a new age of warfare. As compared to previous engagements, the adoption of new weapons changed the way in World War I was fought. Not only did the concept of war change in terms of where battles were fought, how much revenue must be spent on the war and how much time a war could span; weapons changed. During the Indian Wars and War for independence, basic weapons were used. World War I began to become mobile. Use of planes, tanks and other technological advances had been implemented. The technological advances brought about were implemented within this war in an attempt to make the war last a shorter and to show prestige. Not only were mobile aerial and ground assets involved in war now, but other technology such as flamethrowers, machine guns and poisonous gas was also introduced.
Airpower inevitably changed the characteristics and the environment for outcome of wars. Theorists contend that war results from drastic changes in the international security environment, diplomacy, domestic politics, ideology, economics, and revolutionary advances in technology. Clausewitz emphasized, “Each period would have hold to its own theory”. Douhet wrote, "Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur." Airpower technology changed everything. Airpower can exploit speed, range, and flexibility better than land and sea forces. War may be the realm of chance, as Clausewitz advises but victory or defeat are not recorded as random outcomes. “There is an approach to war that maximizes the prospect of the achievement of decisive victory (whatever outcome one decides is sufficiently decisive and adequately victorious).” As warfare expands to new domains, it must continue to look back at military theory to develop effective
Adaptive leadership is becoming widespread in the United States Army amongst junior officers in leadership positions that require quick thinking and innovation. Leonard Wong discusses how the versatile and unpredictable enemy and situations in Iraq produces adaptable junior officers. These officers are learning to make decisions under chaotic conditions and are becoming more mentally agile. The Army is changing. The Army is transforming its capabilities in the war in Iraq to be effective and successful. General Schoomaker states that we will not accomplish our goals as a nation in the 21st century unless our Army becomes much more agile but with the capacity for long term, sustained level of conflict. The Army is in the process of eliminating its old ways of war, it has to become somewhat of a decathlete. Trained for multiple events across a broad spectrum not just one event like a track athlete.
Warfare was in a state of transition. Older commanders and generals in the French and British militaries were very cavalry and infantry focused. These commanders believed that cavalry, infantry, and artillery would assure victory in any circumstance, against any foe. They clung to the static tactics of the bygone World War I era. World War I had been fought primarily on French soil, and the military as well as the government never wanted that to happen again, therefore they wanted to reinforce their main border against any future German. Little did they know that only twenty two years later they would be bested by German forces in a way that would shock the world. This research will be analyzing many important assumptions, oversights,...
Science fiction never ceases to amaze me as I take great enjoyment in exploring these creative universes. I have always had a great interest in military science fiction for its take on technological innovation and critical analysis. Military science fiction in general is very speculative about future of technology and warfare. The military science fiction genre also serves as a critique of contemporary politics as it deals with many of the same issues that go on today. This has made military science fiction one if the most well respected genres of science fiction for it ability to indirectly criticize modern society. My Integrated Project explores the relationship between how technology that has arisen from war has been some of the most innovative and why war has become an unshakeable aspect of human existence.
There are many excellent takeaways that Army leaders at all levels of war can implement when making a change. Lessons learned by many companies were thoroughly discussed and clearly highlights the pitfalls and traps leaders fall victim to when making a transformation. Therefore, Leading Change is a must read for military professionals because there are two critical tools that all leaders need to put into their kit bag, the eight reasons why change initiative fail and the eight-stage process to lead the organization through successful
“In July 1945, the first atomic bomb was tested in New Mexico and the next month the second and third weapons off the production line were dropped on Japan. Since then no nuclear weapons have been used in anger, although tens of thousands have been accumulated by the major powers and their destructiveness and sophistication increased immensely.” The nature of warfare is constant and evolved from multiple factors and military revolutions over time. The purpose of this paper is to identify the most important military revolution in history and highlight its effects that permeate modern day society. The proliferation of nuclear weapons is the most significant military revolution that led to the greatest changes in warfare, which include the immergence of new threats such as non-state actors, the shift from total war to low intensity conflict, and the importance of technology and innovation. This military revolution completely shattered existing paradigms of warfare due to the real threat of nuclear weapons’ total destruction of humanity.