The Principles of War: Introduction

Reducing the myriad experiences of the fog of war to a few memorable principles is often grounds for criticisms of overgeneralization and subjectiveness. However difficult, incomplete or impossible, it remains an important task of doctrine writers.

The Canadian Chiefs of Staff Committee has adopted ten Principles of War to guide the Canadian Forces in operations. These principles are considered timeless, and applicable at all levels of command from Section to Army Group. Such principles do not by any means guarantee victory. They are not laws of nature but simply terms for guidance.

Over the next month I will post each one of these principles so that we may discuss them, and possibly challenge them. They were collected and formed with the experiences of the first and second world wars close at heart. Often you will see references to “modern war.” Through our discussions I hope to see whether or not this label remains applicable to the conflicts we see today, or if we have seen the dawn of “post-modern war.” Specifically I am referring to all our collaborations on xGW.

So stay tuned for the next few weeks, as we explore the lessons learned from the fog of war.