The attainment of a military objective (the creation or maintenance of
a favorable military situation) depends on effective operations
involving the salient features of

Effective action with relation to correct physical
objectives,

Projection of action from advantageous relative positions,

Proper apportionment of fighting strength, and

Ensurance of adequate freedom of action,

each fulfilling the requirements of

Suitability, as determined by the factor of the appropriate
effect desired,

Feasibility, by reason of relative fighting strength as
determined by the factors of the means available and
opposed, influenced by the factor of the characteristics
of the theater of operations, and

Acceptability, as determined by the factor of the consequences
as to costs,

which factors are in turn dependent on each other.

* * * * *

The Fundamental Military Principle, as a valid guide, encounters no
exception in the field it purports to cover. As a practical guide, it
brings to attention, in broad outline, all the causes and effects
which are involved. The principle affords a proper basis for the
formulation of corollary principles for the determination, in any
particular situation, of any element noted therein whose value may be
unknown but may be ascertained by reference to other pertinent
elements which constitute known quantities. (See pages 21-27.)

As later explained (Chapter IV), the two major applications of the
Principle relate to the selection of a correct military objective and
to the determination of effective military operations to attain an
objective (see page 28).

A corollary Principle of the Correct Military Objective will
accordingly state that the selection of a correct military objective
depends on the due consideration of the salient features and the
factors cited in the Fundamental Military Principle. The application
of this corollary is discussed in Section II of Chapter IV.

A corollary Principle of Effective Military Operations will similarly
state that the determination of effective operations for the
attainment of a military objective depends on the due consideration of
the salient features and the factors cited in the Fundamental Military
Principle. The application of this corollary is explained in Section
III of Chapter IV.

These principles can be used as a basi