Considerations for Morale as a U.S. Principle of War

Military doctrine serves to standardize terminology, training, and processes in order to enhance operational effectiveness. Subsequently, the principles of war found within doctrine serve as fundamental guidelines for consideration in the planning and conduct of operations. Absent from the U.S. Principles of War, despite its ability to enhance operational effectiveness and improve the chances for success, is the Maintenance of Morale. In the context of warfare, morale may be considered the sum of all inputs that contribute to a positive state of mind and instills within an armed force the will to fight despite the presence of adversity. Morale, or the lack thereof, can determine whether an armed force will lose, be able to maintain its ability to continue to fight past the logical culminating point, or achieve victory in battle. There are many historical examples to back this premise. This paper argues that the principles of war in U.S. military doctrine should include morale as a distinct principle because morale is of commensurate importance to the other principles currently recognized. In support of this argument, discussion and analysis of what morale offers as a principle of war includes what morale as a principle of war is; morale`s benefits to operations; the implementation and measurement of morale; and the feasibility of incorporating morale into U.S. doctrine. ; The original document contains color images.