Questions

• Is there a need for rules of engagement in wartime? Are they deferent from peacetime?  

• Discuss the rational that underlies the development of the soviet Navy tactical doctrine and hardware.  How does it differ from that of the US Navy?

• What is meant by the battle of the first salvo?  Do you agree or disagree with its importance in contemporary naval warfare?

• What kinds of missions would the Soviet Navy have trouble performing today?  What are the strengths of the USSR's maritime establishment?

• What effect has the capability of the Backfire bomber had on Soviet Naval Doctrine? What are the tactical implications of the Backfire with respect to US and NATO maritime capabilities?

Summary of  the main points:

• Unified Command Plan: The document discusses the relationship between unified/specified commanders and service programs, highlighting the limited direct influence commanders have on military programs and logistics due to a lack of direct links to furnishing agencies.

• NATO: NATO is described as a defensive alliance with risks associated with this strategy, including potential loss of public support and vulnerability to surprise attacks. The document also mentions the balance between current and future readiness.

• Military Planning: The document emphasizes the importance of considering enemy intentions in the military planning process, alongside capabilities, to prioritize possible enemy courses of action and optimally use limited forces.

• Leyte Gulf: The document analyzes COMTHIRDFLT's decision-making at Leyte Gulf, questioning if the proper decisions were made given the available information. It highlights issues with divided command, conflicting missions, and the assessment of Japanese forces' capabilities.

• Goldwater/Nichols Bill: The document mentions the Goldwater/Nichols bill and its impact on increasing unified commanders' authority over subordinates.

• NATO Support: The document discusses the challenges of maintaining public support for NATO, particularly in democratic societies, and the potential exploitation of NATO's defensive nature by an aggressor.

• Midway Battle: The Battle of Midway is used as an example of the importance of accurate assumptions about enemy intentions and the necessity of prioritizing based on limited resources.

• THIRDFLT Mission: The analysis of the THIRDFLT mission at Leyte Gulf points out the ambiguity and conflict between the mission of destroying the enemy fleet and supporting the seizure and occupation of the Central Philippines.

Questions

• Do the unified/specified comander have sufficient input to the development of service programs?