This monograph discusses the fundamental functions of operational art and assesses how well they are addressed by current doctrine. Its focus is upon operational art as applied to conventional warfare: that zone where the theater of operations commander views his theater and is concerned about the design, organization, and conduct of campaigns. The monograph first examines the definition of activity, function, and operational art. Next, the writings of several noted theorists are analyzed to determine the theoretical functions of a force at any level of warfare. Those theoretical functions are then applied to our current definition of operational art and tested against an historical analysis of the following campaigns or major operations: the American Civil War Vicksburg Campaign, the World War I St. Mihiel Offensive, and World War II Operational Jael and Rhone Valley Campaign. Finally, an analysis of three current doctrinal manuals-FM 100-5, Operations, FM 100-6, Large Unit Operations, (Coordinating Draft), and TRADOC Pamphlet 11-9, Blueprint of the Battlefield--and a proposed descriptive model for operational level functions are evaluated against seven criteria determining their relative degree of utility and adequacy in addressing the fundamental functions of operational art.

ADA 234394 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)