The Implementation of National Policy--The Primary Function of the Armed Forces--Military Strategy and Tactics--Command of the Armed Forces--Unity of Effort--The Chain of Command--Mutual Understanding--Indoctrination. II Mental Processes and Human Tendencies 19 Natural Mental Processes--The Necessity for Logical Thought--Principles in their Relation to Logical Thought--Value and Limitations of Lists of Principles of War--Formulation and Use of Principles--Summary of Fundamental Considerations. III Basic Principles Applicable to Military Problems (The Fundamental Military Principle) 29 Review of Conclusions--Procedure--Suitability, Feasibility, and Acceptability--Fundamental Principle for Attainment of an End--Interdependency of Factors--Special Nature of War--Factors in War--The Objective in War--Military Operations--Salient Features--The Fundamental Military Principle--Corollaries. IV The Application of the Fundamental Military Principle (Objectives--Their Selection and Attainment) 43 The Basis for Solution of a Military Problem--The Major Components of a Military Problem--Essential Elements--Selection of Correct Military Objectives-- Determination of Effective Military Operations--Physical Objectives--Relative Positions--Apportionment of Fighting Strength--Freedom of Action--Summary. V The Four Steps in the Solution of a Military Problem 79 A Situation--The Incentive--The Assigned Objective--The Motivating Task--The Natural Mental Processes--The Approach to the Solution--The First Step--The Basic Problem--Tasks-- The Mission--Survey of Factors of Fighting Strength--Courses of Action--Reflective Thinking--Naval Operations--Analysis and Selection of Courses of Action--The Decision--The Second Step--The Third Step--The Fourth Step--Sequence of Events in the Four Steps--The Use of a Form in the Solution of Problems--Conclusion. *PART II. THE EXERCISE OF PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT IN PLANNING. VI The Selection of a Correct Objective (Including the Determination, in Proper Detail, of the Action Required for its Attainment) The First Step--The Solution of a Basic Problem (The Estimate of the Situation) 117 Process of solving a Problem--Sections of the Estimate Form--Establishment of the Basis for Solution of the Problem--Determination of Suitable, Feasible, and Acceptable Courses of Action--Examination into the Capabilities of the Enemy--Selection of the Best Course of Action--The Decision. VII The Resolution of the Required Action into Detailed Operations (The Second Step--The Solution of Subsidiary Problems) 155