Operational Maneuver

This monograph inquires into the nature of operational maneuver by addressing the following research question: Can operational maneuver be used to create the decisive point? It uses the following methodology to answer this question. First, it discusses both operational maneuver and the decisive point. Next, it examines three historical examples of operational maneuver to establish a relationship between operational maneuver and the decisive point. It also uses these examples to illustrate factors that are prerequisites for operational maneuver to create the decisive point. Finally, it examines current U.S. Army doctrine to see what the doctrine says about operational maneuver, the decisive point and the prerequisites for successful operational maneuver. The monograph draws three conclusions. First, operational maneuver can create the decisive point. Next, U.S. Army doctrine uses the term decisive point but does not define what the term means. Furthermore, the doctrine does not clearly link operational maneuver to the decisive point. Finally, the prerequisites for operational maneuver that are illustrated in the examples of operational maneuver are listed in the doctrine, but with the linkage of operational maneuver to the decisive point there may be other factors (such as surprise, risk taking, or a strong attack at a weak point) that come into play.