Dennis C Dimengo

Balance: The Essence of Operational Art Dennis C Dimengo

In both historical and contemporary practice of operational art the concept of balance appears to be of significant consideration. We are instructed in FM 100-5, for instance, to "... throw the enemy off balance.... "" (p , 27) The histories of innumerable campaigns are replete with comments to the effect that this or that commander was caught "off balance" and that was the root of his failure. Yet, there does not appear to be a definition of balance that is useful at the operational level of war nor is there an adequate description of the role of balance in operational art. The single published military definition of balance emphasizes organizational considerations and nuclear arms control aspects only (JCS Pub 1). This approach appears to be inconsistent with the broader implications of balance in doctrinal and historical publications. The purpose of this monograph is to determine the operational definition of balance as well as to examine the role of balance in operational art. The monograph first surveys classical and contemporary military theorists for a theoretical basis for the concept of balance. Next, it examines the concept of balance from the view of a practitioner--Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery. From the theoretical basis and practical example, the monograph then proposes an operational definition of balance. This definition is then tested by analyzing three campaigns in light of the proposed definition. The monograph concludes that balance is a useful concept for both the design and analysis of campaigns and major operations. Balance provides a useful link between the other elements of operational design. Finally, it provides the commander a method for assessing risk.