OCS History Lesson 1 Questions & Answers(A+
GRADED)
The definitions of war, 'friction,' trinity, center of gravity, and combined arms - ANSWER-
• War - conflict between organized groups with "unknown resolve". Each seeking to
impose its will on the other. Continuation of politics by other means.
• Friction - An impediment to a commander's ability to wage war. (ex: muddy roads,
undisciplined troops, bad weather) Intangible force that makes the apparently easy task
difficult.
• Trinity - interactive trinity of wartime factors
1. adherence to rational war aims, policy, and strategy
2. the play and impact of battle
3. emotions
• Center of Gravity - the hub of all power and movement on which everything depends.
Something I or the enemy has in order to win. It's something you can deny the enemy or
it can be denied from you. Individual battles can have their own center of gravity. The
center of gravity can be seen as the advantage such as holding key terrain or
technology and can exist in multiple levels. It can cause tunnel vision and if the enemy
knows their center of gravity, it can be strengthened and more difficult to deny.
• Combined Arms - the synchronized and simultaneous application of all elements of
combat power that together achieve an effect greater than if each element was used
separately or sequentially. Combined arms is a state of mind and proper use of
technology.
PRINCIPLES OF WAR - ANSWER-• Objective - direct every military operation toward a
clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective. The principle of objective, with a
series of intermediate objectives, helps all elements of an operation focus on what must
be done and by whom.
• **Offensive - seize, retain and exploit the initiative. Only offensive operations can, in
the end, force your will on the enemy.
• **Maneuver - Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible
application of combat power.
• Mass - Concentrates the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time.
Proper application of mass can permit numerically inferior forces to achieve decisive
combat results.
• **Economy of Force - Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
• **Unity of Command - For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible
commander.
• **Security - Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.
• Surprise - Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is
unprepared.
• Simplicity - Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to ensure
thorough understanding and minimize confusion.
• Legitimacy - Maintain legal, political and moral authority in one's operations.
GRADED)
The definitions of war, 'friction,' trinity, center of gravity, and combined arms - ANSWER-
• War - conflict between organized groups with "unknown resolve". Each seeking to
impose its will on the other. Continuation of politics by other means.
• Friction - An impediment to a commander's ability to wage war. (ex: muddy roads,
undisciplined troops, bad weather) Intangible force that makes the apparently easy task
difficult.
• Trinity - interactive trinity of wartime factors
1. adherence to rational war aims, policy, and strategy
2. the play and impact of battle
3. emotions
• Center of Gravity - the hub of all power and movement on which everything depends.
Something I or the enemy has in order to win. It's something you can deny the enemy or
it can be denied from you. Individual battles can have their own center of gravity. The
center of gravity can be seen as the advantage such as holding key terrain or
technology and can exist in multiple levels. It can cause tunnel vision and if the enemy
knows their center of gravity, it can be strengthened and more difficult to deny.
• Combined Arms - the synchronized and simultaneous application of all elements of
combat power that together achieve an effect greater than if each element was used
separately or sequentially. Combined arms is a state of mind and proper use of
technology.
PRINCIPLES OF WAR - ANSWER-• Objective - direct every military operation toward a
clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective. The principle of objective, with a
series of intermediate objectives, helps all elements of an operation focus on what must
be done and by whom.
• **Offensive - seize, retain and exploit the initiative. Only offensive operations can, in
the end, force your will on the enemy.
• **Maneuver - Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible
application of combat power.
• Mass - Concentrates the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time.
Proper application of mass can permit numerically inferior forces to achieve decisive
combat results.
• **Economy of Force - Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
• **Unity of Command - For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible
commander.
• **Security - Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.
• Surprise - Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is
unprepared.
• Simplicity - Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to ensure
thorough understanding and minimize confusion.
• Legitimacy - Maintain legal, political and moral authority in one's operations.
