ARMY OCS MILITARY HISTORY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
●● Carl Von Clausewitz believes war is a...
Answer: continuation of politics by other means
●● War Aim
Answer: desired end state
●● Clausewitz's center of gravity
-out of the characteristics a certain center of gravity develops from
what?
Answer: The hub of all power and movement, on which everything
depends
●● Strategic Level of War
Answer: All of a nation's armed/other forces' efforts in all campaigns
("the war") to meet war aim
●● Operational Level of War
Answer: In-theater forces; large tactical units (~armies & above) ops that
can have strategic results ("the campaign")
,●● Tactical Level of War
Answer: Field units -- ~ armies & below ('the battle')
●● What are the Principles of War & how many are there?
Answer: unity of command, objective, offensive, mass, maneuver,
economy of force, security, surprise, and simplicity...9
●● Principle of War
Objective
Answer: Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined,
decisive, and attainable obj
The principle of obj, a series of intermediate obj, helps all elements of an
operation focus on what must be done and by whom
●● Principle of War
Offensive
Answer: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative
In order to achieve victory, a commander must undertake offensive
operations
,●● Principle of War
Maneuver
Answer: Place the ENY in a disadvantageous position through the
flexible application of combat power
-essential ingredient of combat power
-object of maneuver is to dispose a force in such a manner as to place the
ENY at a relative disadvantage & thus achieve results that would be
more costly in men
●● Principle of War
Mass
Answer: Concentrate the effects of combat power at the decisive place
and time
-mass is thus the concentration of military assets against a specific target
●● Principle of War
Economy of Force
Answer: Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts
●● Principle of War
Unity of Command
Answer: For every obj, ensure unity of effort under one responsible
commander
, ONE PERSON IN CHARGE
●● Principle of War
Security
Answer: Never permit the ENY to acquire an unexpected advantage
-essential to the preservation of combat power and is achieved by
measures taken to prevent surprise, preserve freedom of action, and deny
the ENY info of friendly forces
-Risks be calculated carefully and that no unnecessary chances are taken
●● Principle of War
Surprise
Answer: Strike the ENY at a time or place in a manner for which he is
unprepared
●● Principle of War
Simplicity
Answer: prepare clr, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to
ensure thorough understanding and minimize confusion
●● 3 New Principles of War & their DEF
Answer: Legitimacy
- maintain legal, political, and moral authority in one's operations
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
●● Carl Von Clausewitz believes war is a...
Answer: continuation of politics by other means
●● War Aim
Answer: desired end state
●● Clausewitz's center of gravity
-out of the characteristics a certain center of gravity develops from
what?
Answer: The hub of all power and movement, on which everything
depends
●● Strategic Level of War
Answer: All of a nation's armed/other forces' efforts in all campaigns
("the war") to meet war aim
●● Operational Level of War
Answer: In-theater forces; large tactical units (~armies & above) ops that
can have strategic results ("the campaign")
,●● Tactical Level of War
Answer: Field units -- ~ armies & below ('the battle')
●● What are the Principles of War & how many are there?
Answer: unity of command, objective, offensive, mass, maneuver,
economy of force, security, surprise, and simplicity...9
●● Principle of War
Objective
Answer: Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined,
decisive, and attainable obj
The principle of obj, a series of intermediate obj, helps all elements of an
operation focus on what must be done and by whom
●● Principle of War
Offensive
Answer: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative
In order to achieve victory, a commander must undertake offensive
operations
,●● Principle of War
Maneuver
Answer: Place the ENY in a disadvantageous position through the
flexible application of combat power
-essential ingredient of combat power
-object of maneuver is to dispose a force in such a manner as to place the
ENY at a relative disadvantage & thus achieve results that would be
more costly in men
●● Principle of War
Mass
Answer: Concentrate the effects of combat power at the decisive place
and time
-mass is thus the concentration of military assets against a specific target
●● Principle of War
Economy of Force
Answer: Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts
●● Principle of War
Unity of Command
Answer: For every obj, ensure unity of effort under one responsible
commander
, ONE PERSON IN CHARGE
●● Principle of War
Security
Answer: Never permit the ENY to acquire an unexpected advantage
-essential to the preservation of combat power and is achieved by
measures taken to prevent surprise, preserve freedom of action, and deny
the ENY info of friendly forces
-Risks be calculated carefully and that no unnecessary chances are taken
●● Principle of War
Surprise
Answer: Strike the ENY at a time or place in a manner for which he is
unprepared
●● Principle of War
Simplicity
Answer: prepare clr, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to
ensure thorough understanding and minimize confusion
●● 3 New Principles of War & their DEF
Answer: Legitimacy
- maintain legal, political, and moral authority in one's operations
