Three Block War

The Three Block War is a concept described by General Charles Krulak in the late 1990s to illustrate the complex spectrum of challenges likely to be faced by soldiers on the modern battlefield. In Krulak's example, soldiers may be required to conduct full scale military action, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian relief within the space of three contiguous city blocks. The thrust of the concept is that modern militaries must be trained to operate in all three conditions simultaneously, and that to do so, leadership training at the lowest levels needs to be high. The latter condition caused Krulak to invoke what he called "strategic corporals"; low-level unit leaders able to take independent action and make major decisions.

trategic Corporal

The "strategic corporal" is the notion that leadership in complex, rapidly evolving mission environments devolves lower and lower down the chain of command to better exploit time-critical information into the decision making process, ultimately landing on the corporal, the lowest ranking non-commissioned officer, typically commanding a squad of 7-15 soldiers. In very rapidly evolving mission situations, obtaining mission instructions from remotely located command may result in mission failure, or in casualties to both force personnel and civilians. Conversely, misusing this kind of responsibility may result in personal liability for the team leader: a decision executed to respond to situational needs may result in later prosecution as the team leaders actions are reviewed by higher authorities.

The term "strategic corporal" was coined by General Charles C. Krulak in the title of an article in Marines Magazine about the "Three Block War," an increasingly important arena of military operations characterized by engagement with hostile, neutral and friendly forces, all at the same time, in a very geographically limited area, e.g., three blocks.Cite web|url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmc/strategic_corporal.htm|title=The Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War|accessdate=2006-11-23|publisher=Marines Magazine, on Air University|year=1999|author=Charles C. Krulak]

This concept is important because that it allows forces to apply the correct amount of response at the correct time and place. Complex Rules of Engagement can be used to minimize collateral damage to civilians and infrastructure. However, training "strategic corporals" requires time and money above and beyond what would be considered normal infantry or military police training.Fact|date=June 2008

Impact

The need to conduct operations in this situation has significantly emphasised the importance of low level tactical leaders and led to the term "strategic corporal" being devised.

Example

A recent example of the effects of "strategic corporals" is the situation faced by U.S. troops in Mogadishu as detailed in the book and film "Black Hawk Down." Small-unit leaders on the ground continually had to make crucial decisions which had major impacts on not only the forces initially deployed on the mission, but to follow on forces as well.

References

External links

* [http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmc/strategic_corporal.htm The Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War]