“Maintain Course”

Much is made of this phrase in regards to US military changing tactics and perhaps strategy in Iraq. But consider this to be very normal and military-historical speaking, modus operandi.

Famous 19th century German Field Marshal Helmuth Moltke's main thesis was that military strategy had to be understood as a system of options since only the beginning of a military operation was plannable. As a result, he considered the main task of military leaders to consist in the extensive preparation of all possible outcomes. His thesis can be summed up by two statements, one famous and one less so, translated into English as

Quote of the Day

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy” and “War is a matter of expedients.”

- Field Marshal Helmuth, Graf von Moltke



Can US marines adapt to a new expeditious battle plan? I think the answer is self-evident....