It is therefore the people that this story concerns itself with. Though weapons and tactics are important, they have the same thing in common: people. It would be the people, not the system or the weapons, that determined the outcome. The interesting question is, What would happen if these two systems were pitted against each other? The answer would be determined not by the weapons and not by the cause for which they were being employed. The United States also can point to its campaigns in that war and subsequent wars and state (that its system works. The Soviet Union, the victor of the greatest land wear ever waged, proved time and again in 1944-45 that its system worked. Many examples from past wars support this. More important, properly used, both systems will work in war. Initiative on the part of the commander at all levels is expected, allowing commanders to issue what are referred to as mission-type orders, orders that leave the details for the subordinate commander to figure out.īoth systems of doing business have their merits and are based on the national character of the military that uses them. A great deal of freedom and discretion is afforded the American small-unit leader.ĭoctrine is often viewed as a guide. The United States, on the other hand, places its trust in the ability of the individual soldier and his leaders. Doctrine in the Red Army has the same weight as regulations, and orders to subordinates are detailed and restrictive. Hence they establish norms and place high value on conformity and discipline so that actions in battle are a predictable constant, not an unknown. The ideal military system, from the Soviet viewpoint, is one that can deliver predictable results by using proper force ratios and other such definable inputs. The Soviets, comfortable with science and technology, approach warfare and combat in a scientific manner. Technology is understandable and controllable. Science, after all, is logical and predictable. It is easy for modern man to focus on the technical aspects of war and seek solutions and resolution through science and technology. What is important are the people, their roles and their experiences. The time and place of the war are unimportant. This is a story about a war and the people fighting it. Chance makes everything more uncertain and interferes with the whole course of events. No other human activity gives it greater scope no other has such incessant and varied dealings with this intruder.
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