Center of gravity (military): Difference between revisions
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==Modern Approaches== |
==Modern Approaches== |
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The National Defense University (NDU) and Joint Forces Quarterly (JFQ) discuss three approaches to |
The National Defense University (NDU) and Joint Forces Quarterly (JFQ) discuss three approaches to CoG analysis<ref>[https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-78/jfq-78.pdf#page=131 Smith, Daniel J., et al. " Three Approaches to Center of Gravity Analysis: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 78, National Defense University Press, July 2015]</ref><ref>[https://ndupress.ndu.edu/portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-35.pdf#page=28 Strange, Joseph L. and Richard Iron "Center of Gravity: What Clausewitz Really Meant" Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 35, National Defense University Press, October 2004]</ref>: |
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* Eikmeier method<ref> [https://ndupress.ndu.edu/portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-59.pdf#page=158 Eikmeier, Dale C. “Redefining the Center of Gravity” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 59, National Defense University Press, October 2010]</ref><ref>[https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-83/jfq-83.pdf#page=111 Eikmeier, Dale C. “Let’s Fix or Kill the Center of Gravity Concept” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 83, National Defense University Press, October 2016]</ref><ref>[https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/online-publications/documents/Eikmeier-Center-of-Gravity-a.pdf Eikmeier, Dale C. “The Center of Gravity: Still Relevant After All These Years?” Military Review, Army University Press, May 2017]</ref> |
* Eikmeier method<ref> [https://ndupress.ndu.edu/portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-59.pdf#page=158 Eikmeier, Dale C. “Redefining the Center of Gravity” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 59, National Defense University Press, October 2010]</ref><ref>[https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-83/jfq-83.pdf#page=111 Eikmeier, Dale C. “Let’s Fix or Kill the Center of Gravity Concept” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 83, National Defense University Press, October 2016]</ref><ref>[https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/online-publications/documents/Eikmeier-Center-of-Gravity-a.pdf Eikmeier, Dale C. “The Center of Gravity: Still Relevant After All These Years?” Military Review, Army University Press, May 2017]</ref> |
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Revision as of 23:24, 1 September 2023
 | The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (May 2013) |
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The center of gravity (CoG) is a military term that refers to the source of strength or balance for a military force. The concept was first developed by Carl Von Clausewitz, a Prussian military theorist, in his work On War[1].
United States
The definition of a CoG, as given by the United States Department of Defense, is "the source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act."[2] Thus, the center of gravity is usually seen as the "source of strength".
The United States Army tends to look for a single center of gravity, normally in the principal capability that stands in the way of the accomplishment of its own mission. In short, the army considers a "friendly" CoG as that element—a characteristic, capability, or locality—that enables one's own or allied forces to accomplish their objectives. Conversely, an opponent's CoG is that element that prevents friendly forces from accomplishing their objectives.
For example, according to US Army Counterinsurgency Field Manual 3-24, the center of gravity in a counterinsurgency is the protection of the population that hosts it.[3]
Modern Approaches
The National Defense University (NDU) and Joint Forces Quarterly (JFQ) discuss three approaches to CoG analysis[4][5]:
- Godzilla method[9]
- Critical Factors Analysis (CFA)
Both the Eikmeier and Gozilla methods provide testable criteria for measuring and assessing various factors in the analysis. Meanwhile, CFA is subjective using, Means, Ways, Ends to assess critical Strengths with critical capabilities, requirements, and vulnerabilities.
See also
References
- ^ General Carl Von Clausewitz (2009). On War: The Complete Edition. Wildside Press LLC. pp. 144, 151, 253, 331–4, 413–4, 430–1, 437, 444. ISBN 978-1-4344-0496-1.
- ^ DoD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (PDF). Joint Publication 1-02. 2008.
- ^ US Army Counterinsurgency Field Manual 3-24, p. 3-13 (page 69 of the PDF) FAS Intelligence Resource Program.
- ^ Smith, Daniel J., et al. " Three Approaches to Center of Gravity Analysis: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 78, National Defense University Press, July 2015
- ^ Strange, Joseph L. and Richard Iron "Center of Gravity: What Clausewitz Really Meant" Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 35, National Defense University Press, October 2004
- ^ Eikmeier, Dale C. “Redefining the Center of Gravity” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 59, National Defense University Press, October 2010
- ^ Eikmeier, Dale C. “Let’s Fix or Kill the Center of Gravity Concept” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 83, National Defense University Press, October 2016
- ^ Eikmeier, Dale C. “The Center of Gravity: Still Relevant After All These Years?” Military Review, Army University Press, May 2017
- ^ Butler, James P. “Godzilla Methodology: Means for Determining Center of Gravity” Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 72, National Defense University Press, January 2014
- Echevarria, Antulio J., II (2003). Clausewitz's Center of Gravity: It's Not What We Thought. Naval War College Press.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
- From Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College: Clausewitz's Center of Gravity: Changing Our Warfighting Doctrine--Again!
- Reining in” the Center of Gravity Concept
- The Relevance of Carl Von Clausewitz in Operation Iraqi Freedom
- JP 1-02, US DoD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
Strange, Joseph L. and Richard Iron. "Center of Gravity: What Claustewitz Really Meant." Joint Force Quarterly. 22 June, 2003.
Eikmeier, Dale C. "Redefining the Center of Gravity." Joint Force Quarterly, 59 (2010): 156-158.
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