CHAPTER FOUR
MILITARY DOCTRINE
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Chapter Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter, the trainees should be able
to:
Describe the meaning ,origin and sources of military
doctrine;
List essence, basis and content of Military Doctrine
Discuss the role of military doctrine as Ethiopian context
Comprehend the unique features and importance of
military doctrine as Ethiopian context
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4.1 Introduction
Military Doctrine is fundamental principles by which military forces guide
their actions in support of national objectives. It Is authoritative but requires
judgment in application. (NATO)
Military Doctrine
Presents fundamental principles that guide the employment of forces.
It is authoritative but not directive
Though neither policy nor strategy, Joint doctrine deals with the
fundamental issue of how best to employ the national military power to
achieve strategic ends.
It is the best path chosen to follow in conducting war and military affairs.
Doctrine is the whole aggregate of well thought, analysed and interrelated
governmental directive concerned with the ongoing or future wars.
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Military Doctrine as Defined in Ethiopian Context:
• Doctrine-is defined as a high level government document of a nation
reflecting the nation‘s view of war and its conduct, the preparations
necessary for and should the war start the methods of winning the war.
Military Doctrine as a document reflects:
• the views of the government on power about the war,
• the nation‘s security threat analysis,
• It guides all war related activities
• It provides directions on the main aspects and conclusions, but not detail
rule.
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Components of Doctrine
Doctrine is composed of two aspects.
A. Political aspect of doctrine
• Reflects the government political objectives
• Once has been defined and decided it must be followed without a doubt.
The political aspect is based on
• National security/National interest/
• Threat perception
• Foreign policy
• Economic and military strength
• Resource and Geography
• History
• Science and technology
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Components of Doctrine …
Based on the social and political conditions, doctrine determines the purpose /objective/ of the
war.
Determines on how the war is conducted based on concrete threat analysis.
Determine nation‘s preparation for war.
Determines the build-up of the armed forces
B. Military Aspect of Doctrine
On the basis of the country‘s political objectives, previous war experiences, the
military aspect of doctrine focuses on: -
• Military organization
• Military education and training
• Combat readiness
• Weapon type and size
• Command and control
This requires continuous development and improvement.
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Formulation of Military Doctrine
• Doctrine formulating varies from country to country
• Western
View doctrine as method and technique of doing things
Develop as many as and to the lowest level procedures
• Eastern
View as main governmental document
Serves as a guide for most military activities
Provides frameworks for the rest of lower level activities
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Mostly Military Doctrine is driven by the following input factors: -
• The National Interest and National Military Objectives.
What is it that the government wishes the military to achieve? Such objectives will
be bounded by the resources available for defence and the strategic aim in the
event of a conflict. –
• The Perceived Threat.
Doctrine depends on having a clear and concise assessment of the threat which forces are
expected to face.
In particular, a change in the intent and/or capability of a potential enemy could have a
profound effect on current doctrine and could well demand a rapid reassessment and
change to doctrine. –
• Politics/Policies.
The wishes of the government are paramount for a society in which the armed forces are
under democratic control.
Changes to political structures, security policies and specifically the defence policy of a
government will all have an influence on doctrine. –
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Mostly Military Doctrine is driven by the following input factors: -
Experience
The lessons from history are a fundamental ingredient in the formulation of
doctrine.
Theory
The writings of strategists and theorists continue to influence doctrine.
For example, study of the writings of Sun Tzu, Clausewitz and Jomini remain useful
in any study of conflict.
This does not mean that one theory fits all scenarios; history shows that every
conflict will be different and hence offers different lessons for the future. –
Education
Study of conflict makes for better commanders in conflict and war.
All involved with the command, planning and execution of military operations
should continue this personal preparation.
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Types of Doctrine
1. Fundamental Doctrine:-
• Fundamental doctrine forms the foundation for all other types of
doctrine.
• Its scope is broad and its concepts are abstract.
• Essentially, fundamental doctrine defines the nature of war, the purpose
of military forces, the relationship of military force to other instruments
of power, and similar subject matter on which less abstract beliefs are
founded.
• The following examples are typical statements of fundamental doctrine:
• “War is policy carried on by other means.”
• “War is the failure of policy.”
• “The object of war is to overcome an enemy’s hostile will.”
• “The object of war is a better state of peace.”
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b) Service /functional area/ Doctrine
• Naval, air, space, army doctrines specifying the conduct of war and military affairs in the
area .
• As technological innovations allowed man to put to sea and take to the air, man’s tendency
for war quickly followed.
• Quite naturally, beliefs also developed about how best to use sea power and air power.
• Functional doctrine has several distinctive characteristics.
• It is narrower in scope than fundamental doctrine because it deals with the exercise of
military power in a particular medium.
• Functional doctrine is significantly influenced by such factors as geography and technology.
• Sea power doctrine, for example, is obviously influenced by geography (there are many
places one cannot take a naval vessel) and by technology, particularly since the advent of
naval aviation and submarine warfare.
• Air power doctrine, on the other hand, is less influenced by geography but depends totally
on technology for its very existence.
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C) Organizational Doctrine:-
is based on the belief on how military units are organized and on the conduct of
campaign (operations)
Organizational doctrine is best defined as basic beliefs about the operation of a particular
military organization or group of closely linked military organizations.
It attempts to bring the abstractions of fundamental doctrine into sharper (yet still
somewhat abstract) focus by leavening them with current political realities, capabilities,
and cultural values.
Typically, organizational doctrine discusses roles and missions of an organization, current
objectives, administrative organization, force employment principles as they are influenced
by the current situation, and, in some cases, tactics.
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Organizational Doctrine:-
Organizational doctrine has several salient characteristics that distinguish it from
fundamental doctrine. Organizational doctrine is very narrow in scope.
Organizational doctrine concerns the use of a particular force in a particular
environment at a particular time—today.
In addition, organizational doctrine is current and must change to stay current.
This tendency to change contrasts sharply with the almost timeless qualities of
fundamental doctrine.
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Relationship between Doctrine and Strategy
• Military Doctrine Serves to have common understanding on every military
affair.
• In this context
• Strategic decisions are made knowledge based.
• Doctrine as source of experience, serves to improve strategies.
• Experiences acquired in the implementation of strategy serve to develop doctrine.
• Doctrine influences strategy and strategy works under the guidance of doctrine
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The Essence of Ethiopian Military Doctrine
1. The war into which we enter must be just-war and peoples
'war in its nature.
• War should not be a matter of choice but the only alternative and as
the last resort.
• If entered it is conducted by mobilizing the entire population.
2. In war against internal anti-constitution insurgents
supported by external forces, the war is coordinating the
defense force and peoples 'effort.
3. Building defense capability in accordance the country‘s
economy.
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The Basis of Ethiopian Military Doctrine
• National political system
• National interest
• Threat analysis
• Global
• Regional
• Internal
• Foreign affair policies
• Economic and military capabilities
• Natural resource and Geography
• History
• Level of scientific & technological advance.
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