MCDP 1 Warfighting Exam Questions
and Answers
MCDP 1 Warfighting - http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCDP
%201%20Warfighting.pdf - Correct Answers -In no way are these definitions and
thoughts my own. I do not take credit for these ideas.
Nature of war - Correct Answers -NEXT TERM
CH 1 War defined - Correct Answers -NEXT TERM
Definition of war - Correct Answers -Clash of interests b/w organized groups
characterized by the use of military force. Established nation-states or non-state groups.
A violent struggle between two hostile, independent, and irreconcilable wills, each trying
to impose itself on the other.
Attributes in war - Correct Answers -Friction, Uncertainty, Fluidity, Disorder, Complexity
& Danger
Friction - Correct Answers -Friction can be mental, physical, external, imposed by
enemy action, terrain, weather, chance, etc.
Uncertainty - Correct Answers -"fog of war", there is always incomplete, inaccurate, or
even contradictory information, war is unpredictable
Fluidity - Correct Answers -Each episode in war is the temporary result of a unique
combination of circumstances, presenting a unique set of problems and requiring an
original solution. Nothing can be viewed in isolation, but must be merged with those that
precede and follow it
Disorder - Correct Answers -War will usually tend to grow increasingly disordered over
time. We are forced to improvise over and over as disorder increases from the original
plan or scheme. Have to be able to operate in a disorderly environment. Use disorder
as a weapon too.
Complexity - Correct Answers -Divisions, Regiments, Battalions, fire teams, all trying to
accomplish same goal. Efforts to fully centralize military operations
and to exert complete control by a single decision maker
are inconsistent with the intrinsically complex and distributed
nature of war.
, Philosophy in command cont. - Correct Answers -Communicate in person WHENEVER
possible. Emails is not leadership. The leaders need to be well forward in the situation
to best influence actions. Finally, we recognize the
importance of personal leadership. Only by their physical
presence—by demonstrating the willingness to share danger
and privation—can commanders fully gain the trust and confidence
of subordinates. We must remember that command
from the front should not equate to over-supervision of subordinates. Must be able to
thrive in an environment of chaos, uncertainty, constant change, and friction.
Philosophy of command cont. 2 - Correct Answers -Just because war fighting policy is
based on wartime, does not mean you don't use it during peace time. If your followers
are use to being over supervised and no initiative in garrison how can they show this in
combat? Confidence must be had in seniors and subordinates, and familiarity among
comrades. We need a shared understanding.
Shaping the action - Correct Answers -Before winning we must conceive how we intend
to win. Establish what we want to accomplish, why, and how. You must shape the
battlefield to your liking. Forcing the enemy to go one way, or cutting off an enemy
force. Thinking far ahead is key.
Decision Making - Correct Answers -All actions are the result of decisions or of non-
decisions. Any decision is generally better than no decision. The most important factor
in decision making is often time. Whoever can make and implement decisions
consistently faster gains a tremendous advantage. We should base our decisions on
awareness rather than on mechanical habit. Remember, there is no perfect solution to
any battlefield problem.
Mission tactics - Correct Answers -Direct Def: The tactics of assigning a subordinate
mission without specifying how the mission must be accomplished.
Mission tactics cont. - Correct Answers -Letting your subordinates make decisions frees
up time for the senior commander to focus on higher-level concerns. They inform the
commander
of what they have done, but they do not wait for permission. The senior supplies
subordinates with necessary support, then the subordinates must exercise proper
judgment and initiative.
The human dimension - Correct Answers -The human is the central point of war, war is
shaped by human emotions. No degree of technological development or scientific
calculation
will diminish the human dimension in war. Any
doctrine which attempts to reduce warfare to ratios of forces,
weapons, and equipment neglects the impact of the human
will on the conduct of war and is therefore inherently flawed.
and Answers
MCDP 1 Warfighting - http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCDP
%201%20Warfighting.pdf - Correct Answers -In no way are these definitions and
thoughts my own. I do not take credit for these ideas.
Nature of war - Correct Answers -NEXT TERM
CH 1 War defined - Correct Answers -NEXT TERM
Definition of war - Correct Answers -Clash of interests b/w organized groups
characterized by the use of military force. Established nation-states or non-state groups.
A violent struggle between two hostile, independent, and irreconcilable wills, each trying
to impose itself on the other.
Attributes in war - Correct Answers -Friction, Uncertainty, Fluidity, Disorder, Complexity
& Danger
Friction - Correct Answers -Friction can be mental, physical, external, imposed by
enemy action, terrain, weather, chance, etc.
Uncertainty - Correct Answers -"fog of war", there is always incomplete, inaccurate, or
even contradictory information, war is unpredictable
Fluidity - Correct Answers -Each episode in war is the temporary result of a unique
combination of circumstances, presenting a unique set of problems and requiring an
original solution. Nothing can be viewed in isolation, but must be merged with those that
precede and follow it
Disorder - Correct Answers -War will usually tend to grow increasingly disordered over
time. We are forced to improvise over and over as disorder increases from the original
plan or scheme. Have to be able to operate in a disorderly environment. Use disorder
as a weapon too.
Complexity - Correct Answers -Divisions, Regiments, Battalions, fire teams, all trying to
accomplish same goal. Efforts to fully centralize military operations
and to exert complete control by a single decision maker
are inconsistent with the intrinsically complex and distributed
nature of war.
, Philosophy in command cont. - Correct Answers -Communicate in person WHENEVER
possible. Emails is not leadership. The leaders need to be well forward in the situation
to best influence actions. Finally, we recognize the
importance of personal leadership. Only by their physical
presence—by demonstrating the willingness to share danger
and privation—can commanders fully gain the trust and confidence
of subordinates. We must remember that command
from the front should not equate to over-supervision of subordinates. Must be able to
thrive in an environment of chaos, uncertainty, constant change, and friction.
Philosophy of command cont. 2 - Correct Answers -Just because war fighting policy is
based on wartime, does not mean you don't use it during peace time. If your followers
are use to being over supervised and no initiative in garrison how can they show this in
combat? Confidence must be had in seniors and subordinates, and familiarity among
comrades. We need a shared understanding.
Shaping the action - Correct Answers -Before winning we must conceive how we intend
to win. Establish what we want to accomplish, why, and how. You must shape the
battlefield to your liking. Forcing the enemy to go one way, or cutting off an enemy
force. Thinking far ahead is key.
Decision Making - Correct Answers -All actions are the result of decisions or of non-
decisions. Any decision is generally better than no decision. The most important factor
in decision making is often time. Whoever can make and implement decisions
consistently faster gains a tremendous advantage. We should base our decisions on
awareness rather than on mechanical habit. Remember, there is no perfect solution to
any battlefield problem.
Mission tactics - Correct Answers -Direct Def: The tactics of assigning a subordinate
mission without specifying how the mission must be accomplished.
Mission tactics cont. - Correct Answers -Letting your subordinates make decisions frees
up time for the senior commander to focus on higher-level concerns. They inform the
commander
of what they have done, but they do not wait for permission. The senior supplies
subordinates with necessary support, then the subordinates must exercise proper
judgment and initiative.
The human dimension - Correct Answers -The human is the central point of war, war is
shaped by human emotions. No degree of technological development or scientific
calculation
will diminish the human dimension in war. Any
doctrine which attempts to reduce warfare to ratios of forces,
weapons, and equipment neglects the impact of the human
will on the conduct of war and is therefore inherently flawed.
