Charles E Burgdorf

Right Place at the Right Time: A Dilemma for the Tactical Commander Charles E Burgdorf

Publisher Marketing: This monograph discusses considerations that a tactical commander should make in determining his position during an engagement, and from these considerations suggests criteria that should guide his decision. The tactical commander is a significant combat multiplier, by virtue of his rank and experience, and his placement on the battlefield deserves the same care that is given to the overall task organization. The commander's position is a significant element in the command and control scheme. It affects his ability to know what is going on and influence the combat action in accordance with his will. The monograph first examines a series of historical examples from World Wars I and II, in which the tactical commander's position figured prominently in the outcome of the battle. From these examples, a number of considerations for selection of the tactical commander's position are derived. Then it examines the principal differences between historical and contemporary combat environments and what these differences suggest for the contemporary tactical commander in choosing his position on the battlefield. Next, it examines a series of contemporary combat and training examples, to refine or confirm previously determined considerations. As part of the conclusion, the paper offers a synthesis between criteria suggested by both historical and contemporary examples. Given a consistent set of considerations for the tactical commander's position selection, the paper examines implications that the conclusion has for current doctrine, equipment design, and training. With a ''go to war with what we've got" view, the paper suggests several areas of training in which a greater awareness of the importance of position selection might readily be implemented.12/20/1986