CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION TO MILITARY
THOUGHT
1.1 Military Thought: Definition
Military thought is a high level and systematic
rational knowledge about wars and military
problems.
It reveals the nature, basic laws and the guiding
rules of war and explains the basic theories
regarding building the armed forces and generally
determines the outcome of the study in respect of
wars and military problems.
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: -
It focuses on its meaning,
nature, character and conduct of
war
War and military problems are
two concepts that are interlinked
at the same time different from
each other:
 On military issues (Affairs) : -
The core and the principal aim of military affairs are to make
preparations for war and conduct of war.
Preparation and conduct of war is a central theme in military
affairs, such as:
Organizing forces

Development of weapons
training and conducting of operations;

R and D of military equipment;

study and application of strategy and tactics;

storage and supply of war materials;

planning and development of national defense installations;

mobilization, organization and construction of reserve

forces, etc.
 Therefore, military affairs
includes all activities being
engaged by the armed forces,
the state administrative organs
and the public.
In summary, the following are the soul and
the essence of military thought:
various views and observations on warfare,
methodology of war,
principles on the planning and conduct of
war and
the guiding thinking and principles of
building-up the armed forces;
theories of warfare and methodology
Military thought is a theoretical summary of
war and experience of military practice.
 Military thought
Stems from practice of war and
military activities,
And in turn provides theoretical
guiding to the war and military
practice,
And advances with the
development of war and military
practice, and forms an important
part of military science.
 FUNCTION / Importance of MILITARY THOUGHT
1) Provide the Overall Guidance for all
Military Practice
2) Provide Basic Views and Methods for
Recognizing and Studying Military Problems
and Carrying Out Military Forecasting
3) Create an understanding of war and related
issues
4) Provide the Experience for All Reference:
It is used for reference in all aspects in
human society and human life.
E.g., The Art of War has a great significant
guiding role in the field of military affairs
and also has important scientific values to
the non-military fields like politics and
commerce, etc. as well.
 Military Thought
Contributes
to new Military
Tested in war
Military Strategy
strategy

Sun tzu French

Machiaveli Revolution
Developed War
Jommini WW I
Theory Clausewitz WW II
etc etc

Society Lesson
Improves learned
Theory Economic &
Social Strategy is
Political tested
Technological
- Nature of War
- Character of
war Shape, Develop, &
- Conduct of improve
2/25/17 9
War
 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
THE END