Twelve
Principles of Command
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1. Objective. Always
keep a clear goal in mind. Without it, the lives you lose
are meaningless.
2. Offensive. When given the chance, attack and remain on
the offensive for as long as possible. The enemy is weakest
when backing up, and so are you.
3. Unity of Command. Always know who is above and below you
in the chain of command and what they are doing. It will not
only help you in times of trouble, but it will also give you
a better sense of how your mission fits into the overall picture.
4. Strength. Never willingly enter battle at a numerical
disadvantage. Even the sloppiest army can defeat you if it
is bigger. |
5. Economy of Force. Do not waste your effort and supplies. Use just
enough of your force to inflict the maximum amount of havoc on the
enemy in the minimum amount of time. Save the rest of your strength
to exploit your gains or protect yourself from counterattack.
6. Maneuver. Learn the value of maneuverability. Being able to
speed across the battlefield in a coordinated wave of force can
overwhelm the toughest opponent with a minimum of bloodshed.
7. Surprise. The element of surprise effectively doubles your force.
8. Intelligence. Information is like eggs, the fresher the better.
A good guess might win a battle, but a bad one can eventually lose
a campaign.
9. Simplicity. If a plan looks messy on paper or in a computer
simulation, it is too complicated to succeed. The best plans often
turn out to be ones drawn in the dirt and explained with a few hand
gestures. A good solution applied with vigor immediately is better
than a perfect solution ten minutes later.
10. Maintenance of Morale. Instill pride and sense of duty, worthiness,
and loyalty into your soldiers. Keep them informed, rested, and
happy. Officers should visit the front often, not to meddle but
for personal contact with the troops.
11. Administration. This is the dullest, most mind-numbing of chores,
but doing it properly is infinitely better than facing the enemy
without ammunition.
12. Mercy. Be firm and win the day, but once the fighting is over,
treat your prisoners with respect and courtesy. Not only is it the
correct and moral thing for a soldier of the Star League to do,
but once enemy soldiers hear of your merciful treatment, they might
also be more willing to surrender.
-From "A Primer to Tactics and Strategy": 34th Edition,
edited by General Aleksandr Kerensky, SLDF Press, 2742
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