Military Doctrine

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Military doctrine is the fundamental set of principles that guides military forces as they pursue national security objectives. RAND examines these principles, which can range from the policies and procedures put in place by a particular military branch to the tactics and techniques taught to new members during training.

  • U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Armagost, commander of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, talks with a Qatari Emiri Air Force dignitary at the Qatar Emiri Air Force Family Cultural Exchange at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2017. The cultural exchange, hosted by the QEAF, was a relationship building event that gave families and members of Qatari, U.S. and coalition forces an opportunity to interact and learn about each others cultures. The event included cultural exhibits, regional animals, local food, games for children and more, photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Evenson/U.S. Air National Guard

    Report

    Human Aspects of Air Force Operations

    The special operations community has focused on leveraging human-focused capabilities, but the conventional Air Force has yet to fully embrace human aspects of military operations. Is there a need for a joint warfighting domain focused on human aspects of military operations?

    Nov 30, 2020

  • Boys gather near a building damaged by a U.S. drone air strike targeting suspected al Qaeda militants in Shabwa, Yemen, February 3, 2013, photo by Khaled Abdullah Ali Al Mahdi/Reuters

    Commentary

    Trying to Forestall the Next Civilian Casualty Horror

    After civilians are injured or killed, the U.S. Defense Department isn't doing enough to learn from its own failures. The Pentagon needs to devote resources and senior leader attention to an issue that has historically lacked both. Civilian protection should become the singular priority for a critical mass of people across the organization.

    Feb 3, 2022

Explore Military Doctrine

  • Report

    Report

    U.S. Prisoner of War, Detainee Operations Need More Advance Planning

    Prisoner-of-war and detainee operations are a crucial component in the successful prosecution of a conflict — particularly in counterinsurgency operations — and should be upgraded to receive more attention and better advance preparation.

    Jun 9, 2011

  • News Release

    News Release

    Flawed Strategy, Not a 'Failure of Air Power,' Led to Israel's Disappointing Performance in 2006 Lebanon War

    Israel's disappointing performance in its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 did not reflect a "failure of air power," but rather a failure of Israel's political and military leaders to properly assess the enemy, set achievable goals, apply an effective strategy and adequately manage public expectations.

    May 23, 2011

  • Report

    Report

    Flawed Strategy, Not a 'Failure of Air Power,' Led to Israel's Disappointing Performance in 2006 Lebanon War

    Israel's disappointing performance in its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 did not reflect a

    May 23, 2011

  • Report

    Report

    Analysis of Chinese Military Doctrine Indicates China Could Pose Serious Challenge to U.S. and Allied Air Forces

    An exhaustive study of Chinese military sources reveals that a future Chinese air force campaign would, under most likely scenarios, seriously test the United States and its allies in a conflict.

    Feb 17, 2011

  • Report

    Report

    Le concept de communication stratégique de l'OTAN et sa pertinence pour la France

    Study of NATO Strategic Communications and relevance for France. Looks at: definition, objectives, scope, terminology, command structure, resources. Concludes concept is relevant to France in crisis situations and offers ways to implement it.

    Nov 12, 2010

  • Report

    Is NATO's Policy on Strategic Communications Relevant to France?

    NATO developed a policy on Strategic Communications in 2009, in part because of its difficulty in gaining the support of the Afghan population. The policy seeks to coordinate all information and communication capabilities in order to enhance the coherence of NATO's words and deeds. At the request of the Concepts, Doctrine and Experimentation Centre of the French Ministry of Defence, RAND Europe reviewed the policy and its relevance for France.

    Nov 12, 2010

  • Commentary

    Commentary

    Dueling Doctrines: Mullen vs. Powell? Or Mullen & Powell vs. Rumsfeld?

    Reflecting changes in the American approach to counterinsurgency, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen recently enunciated a new and apparently more restrained doctrine for the use of armed force. But is this really a repudiation of the so-called Powell Doctrine?, asks James Dobbins.

    Mar 17, 2010

  • Report

    Report

    A Survey of Missions for Unmanned Undersea Vehicles

    RAND identifies seven military missions for unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) that appear most promising to pursue in terms of military need, operational and technical risks, non-UUV alternatives, and cost.

    Jun 1, 2009

  • Commentary

    Commentary

    Countering the Military's Latest Fad: Counterinsurgency

    When Defense Secretary Gates announced that he was dismissing Gen. McKiernan as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan and replacing him with Lt. Gen. McChrystal, he signaled his support for an intellectual movement that in a few short years has come to dominate military thinking in Washington, writes Celeste Ward.

    May 17, 2009

  • News Release

    News Release

    Changes Needed in Way the United States Conducts Military Interventions

    In preparing for possible future military interventions, the United States needs to shift substantial resources to the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, and military-civilian efforts must be integrated from top to bottom.

    Oct 2, 2008

  • Report

    Report

    Army Can Boost Mission Success by Better Managing Environmental Considerations

    By better managing environmental issues during deployments, U.S. Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages that will help in combat and post-conflict operations, and boost overall mission success.

    Jul 28, 2008

  • Report

    Report

    U.S. Military Prone to Operations Not in Accord with COIN Doctrine

    Similarities between the Vietnam War and current Middle East operations reveal our military is apt to engage in traditional warfare despite the more nuanced tactics called for by counter-insurgency doctrine.

    May 10, 2008

  • Commentary

    Commentary

    A New National Strategy for Korea: North Korea Threats Require Deterrence, Reconciliation

    Over the last five years, the South Korean government has tried to downplay the military threat posed by North Korea. However North Korea still poses a serious military threat to South Korea, writes Bruce Bennett.

    Mar 13, 2008

  • News Release

    News Release

    United States Lacks the Capability to Counter Insurgency in the Muslim World

    Recognizing that the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will not be the last of their kind, U.S. capabilities to meet the threat of Islamist insurgencies are seriously deficient and out of balance.

    Feb 11, 2008

  • Commercial Book

    Commercial Book

    The Operational Code of the Politburo

    Study from 1951 provides insight into the political leadership and foreign policy in the Soviet Union and other communist states; the development of Soviet military strategy and doctrine; and the organization and operation of the Soviet economy.

    Oct 9, 2007

  • Commercial Book

    Commercial Book

    Games of Strategy: Theory and Applications

    Classic work from 1961 discusses basic concepts of game theory and its applications for military, economic, and political problems, as well as its usefulness in decisionmaking in business, operations research, and behavioral science.

    Oct 8, 2007

  • Commercial Book

    Commercial Book

    The Road to Total War

    Examines the various factors that impelled leaders on both sides of the conflict in World War II to respond to immediate problems with actions resulting in effects that were often neither planned nor foreseen.

    Oct 8, 2007

  • Report

    Report

    Regaining Information Superiority Against 21st-Century Insurgents

    U.S. counterinsurgency efforts need to exploit information power by connecting with and learning from the population itself to increase the effectiveness of both the indigenous government and the U.S. military and civilian services that support it.

    Sep 4, 2007

  • Report

    Report

    The Knowledge Matrix Approach to Intelligence Fusion

    As the U.S. military transforms to an information-based force, it will need to collect, combine, and utilize intelligence relying on the process known as ''fusion.'' This report describes one approach to capturing fusion in a constructive simulation.

    Sep 4, 2007

  • Commentary

    Commentary

    Ad Men for U.S. Defense

    Improving the U.S. military's brand identity demands more than just a catchy new slogan. While communications can help explain U.S. policies, the behavior of every soldier, sailor, airman and marine is what ultimately determines how civilians view U.S. forces, write Todd Helmus, Russell Glenn and Christopher ...

    Aug 20, 2007

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