FOUNDATIONS: Elements of Information

What goes into doctrine? What’s it made of? And what is this business where people say “doctrine is ‘a way’”? We’ll address the latter tomorrow. But, for now, let’s get into what doctrine is made of.

As always, italics added for our emphasis, and […] indicates we cut out stuff we thought was fluff. And, as always: you’re smarter reading the pubs yourself to be exactly sure

The major takeaways:

Five basic elements of information are included in Army doctrine:

• Principles.

• Tactics.

• Techniques.

• Procedures.

• Terms and symbols.

PRINCIPLES

• A Principle is a comprehensive and fundamental rule or an assumption of central importance that guides how an organization approaches and thinks about the conduct of operations.

• Can apply to the conduct of operations in general or apply to specific organizations or functions.

• An example of a principle that applies to operations is the Principle of War Objective: Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive, and achievable goal.

TACTICS

• Tactics is the employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other.

• They include the ordered arrangement and maneuver of units in relation to each other, the terrain, and the enemy in order to translate potential combat power into decisive results.

• Tactics vary with terrain and other circumstances; they change frequently as the enemy reacts.

• Tactics always require judgment in application and often require creative thinking; they are always descriptive, not prescriptive. (hmmmm sounds like “a way.”)

• may require using and integrating several techniques and procedures.

TECHNIQUES

• Techniques are non-prescriptive ways or methods used to perform missions, functions, or tasks. Techniques are more specific than tactics and less structured than procedures.

• Techniques are similar to tactics in that they are descriptive. They are similar to procedures in that they are often described in terms of steps.

• Soldiers choose specific techniques based on the situation and the precise mission or task.

• An example of a technique is a bounding overwatch.

PROCEDURES

• Procedures are standard, detailed steps that prescribe how to perform specific tasks.

• They include formats for orders, reports, and control measures.

• Procedures are prescriptive. They consist of a series of steps in a set order that Soldiers complete the same way, at all times, regardless of circumstances or a series of formats that Soldiers must use without variation.

• An example of a procedure is a 9-line medical evacuation (known as MEDEVAC) message.

TERMS AND SYMBOLS

• Terms and symbols are the language and graphics used on operations.

• Terms are words defined in doctrinal publications specifically for Army use and codified in ADP 1-02 and the DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.

• Symbols are those graphics defined specifically for military use.

• They are codified in MIL-STD-2525D.

• Symbols specific to large-scale ground combat operations are contained in ADP 1-02.

• Terms and symbols provide a common language used to communicate during the conduct of operations. Terms and symbols are prescriptive. They must be used as defined in ADP 1-02.

Diving deep in the doctrinal details:

ELEMENTS OF INFORMATION

2-2. Five basic elements of information are included in Army doctrine:

Principles.

Tactics.

Techniques.

Procedures.

Terms and symbols.

PRINCIPLES

2-3. A principle is a comprehensive and fundamental rule or an assumption of central importance that guides how an organization approaches and thinks about the conduct of operations. In doctrine, principles can apply to the conduct of operations in general or apply to specific organizations or functions. (See discussion beginning in paragraph 4-4.) An example of a principle that applies to operations is the Principle of War Objective: Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive, and achievable goal.

TACTICS

2-4. Tactics is the employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other (CJCSM 5120.01A). They include the ordered arrangement and maneuver of units in relation to each other, the terrain, and the enemy in order to translate potential combat power into decisive results. Tactics vary with terrain and other circumstances; they change frequently as the enemy reacts and friendly forces explore new approaches. Applying tactics usually entails acting under time constraints with incomplete information. Tactics always require judgment in application and often require creative thinking; they are always descriptive, not prescriptive. Employing a tactic may require using and integrating several techniques and procedures. An example of a tactic is a movement to contact organized with a security force—either a covering force or an advance guard—and a main body.

TECHNIQUES

2-5. Techniques are non-prescriptive ways or methods used to perform missions, functions, or tasks (CJCSM 5120.01A). Techniques are more specific than tactics and less structured than procedures. Techniques are similar to tactics in that they are descriptive. They are similar to procedures in that they are often described in terms of steps. As with tactics, techniques require judgment in application. Leaders and Soldiers choose specific techniques based on the situation and the precise mission or task. They expect the conditions they encounter to affect the way they perform a given technique. An example of a technique is a bounding overwatch.

PROCEDURES

2-6. Procedures are standard, detailed steps that prescribe how to perform specific tasks (CJCSM 5120.01A). They also include formats for orders, reports, and control measures. Procedures are prescriptive. They consist of a series of steps in a set order that Soldiers complete the same way, at all times, regardless of circumstances or a series of formats that Soldiers must use without variation. An example of a procedure is a 9-line medical evacuation (known as MEDEVAC) message.

TERMS AND SYMBOLS

2-7. Terms and symbols are the language and graphics used on operations. Terms are words defined in doctrinal publications specifically for Army use and codified in ADP 1-02 and the DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. Symbols are those graphics defined specifically for military use. They are codified in MIL-STD-2525D. Symbols specific to large-scale ground combat operations are contained in ADP 1-02. Terms and symbols provide a common language

used to communicate during the conduct of operations. Establishing and using terms and symbols with a common military meaning enhances communication among military professionals in all environments and makes a common understanding of doctrine possible. Terms and symbols are prescriptive. They must be use

d as defined in ADP 1-02.

Want more to experience and exploration the elements of doctrinal excellence? Take A Doctrine Deep Dive on doctrine structure at in ADP 1-01.1 “Army Doctrine Primer.”