SSR
KTLTTAKY SEWS: "The Study of Military Science
in large Units andaaeZ. V. Zeaakcv and Lieutenant-Colonel P. Zflytsev
DATE CF DZFO: 1
APPRAISAL OF
CQfTENT : Documentary
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Followingerbatin translation of ao article entitled "The Study of Military Science in Large Units andy Colonel V. Zeoskov and Lieutenant-Colonel p. Zaytsev. This article
appeared in Issue1 of the Soviet military publication
Collection of Articles of tbe Journal Military Bevs (Voyennyy Vestnlk).
This publication la classified SECRET by the Soviets and is published
by tbe USSR Ministry of Defense.
According to the Preface, Issueaa sent for typesetting on lU0 and released to tbe printer onI. Tho preface states that articles express the opinions of their authors and are publishedorm of discussion. Distribution of Issue No.as to officers from regimental ccamnder upward.
r
The Study of Military Science ir Large Urits end Units
by
Colonel v. Zemskov and Lieutenant-Colonel P. Zoytsev
Recently the study of nllitary science lo large units and units has become noticeably more active. Officers have become more interested In it, the level of skill in scientific methods and the creative Impulse baa risen, and the quality of tbe work has improved. An especially significant improvement Lo military studies has been achieved In large units of the Group of Soviet Forces la Germany, end of the North Caucasian, Far Eastern, Belorussian, and tbe Volga military districts.
Nevertheless, on the whole, military study In large units and units of the ground troops does not meet modern requirements. The solution cf many pressing tactical problems continues to lag behind the level of the operational art. One of the reasons for this, it appears to us. Is tbe lack of necessary experience In organizing military studies St the level of tbe unit or large unit.
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It is well known that the or&inlzLeg principle of military studiesarge unit (unit) depends oz planning. But this is not being achieved skilfully everywhere. Planning often lacks alia, is not specific, and is conducted without regard to the practical tasks of the combat troop training and milltery education beingby the large unit (unit).
For example,, the large units bad to perrons important training tasks under night conditions. Yetumber of large units the problems of night combat operetlCDS did not find their due place in tbe plans for military studies.
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Sometimes tbe efforts cf personnel engaged in military studies are dissipated inultitude of tasks of secondary importance, and officers are overloaded with tasks on theoreticsl subjects which tbsy often carry out formally and badly. Hot infrequently, plans era made without considering the actual capabilities of the large units (units)the theoretical preparedness of those who are to carry teem out, the availability of source material, of possible dates of completion of tasks, etc.
Ttxue, in tbe plan for military studies made by tbe coomand o- the loth Cards Tank Division of the North Caucasian Minuiry District, kO tasks were contemplated. In the Ural Military District in tbe plan ofth Motorized Rifle Division, investigation intoifferent subjects was contemplated; inth Motorized Rifle Regiment of this division,ubjects; and in the 3lilst Tanfc Regiment,ubjects. By the end of the year, it was only possible to complete four subjects in the division, one intb Motorized Rifle Regiment, and three in the 3falst lank Regiment.
umber of cases, military-scientific investigation isby the practical solution of combat training problemsby the corresponding plans. In some large units all tbe main steps of combat training, especially the tactical exercises, were automatically included ln tbe plans for military studies of the units although no investigatice into tbe subjects was done.
An adverse effect on tbe organization of military studies Is produced by parallelism in planning, both in official channels and in the voluntary military study societies. It ia true that in aome large unita these two plans are nominally united into one document with two independent sections; ia priaciple, this makes no difference. TbXa sort of planning leads to dissipation of effort,ultiplicity and duplication of subjects, and,esult, to the non-fulfilment of many tasks.
esult of parallel planning, some officers regard military study as simply the voluntary carrying out cf the tasks act them. On the other hand, some ccssanding officers try to transfer their direct responsibilities for the direction of military studies to the voluntary military study societies. Under these conditions, aa a
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rule, so time during working beers is allotted to officers far investigation.
"Hals sort off military- conducive to their wide aad purposeful development but breadsaod leads to dissipation of energy. Therefore, in large units (unita) of nearly all military districts tbe voluntary military study societies have either ceased to exist la fact or else exist only nominally, and tbe majority of officers are fully burdened with tasks received in their official line of duty. It seems to us that this is the correct way.
It is impossible to agree with those officers who consider that practical subjects are best studied in the line of duty and theoretical subjects tn accordance with plans of military study societies. Tbe study of theoretical subjects cannot be divorced from practical tasks, and all commanding officers oust be directly concerned with them.
Certainly, tbe voluntary principle cannot be excluded from, military studies. But it should appear, first of all, in the choice of subjects to be reccemended and in showing initiative in bringing then forward in the selection of tbosa who will carry out the work, and in determining the form the military studies are to take when they ere compulsory for all officers.
On tbe whole, the planning of military studiesarge unit, as well asilitary district, should be centralized. This centralization envisages an advisable coordination of tbe compulsory investigation tasks prescribed by higher headquarters with the subjects recotanended for the troops or put forward in the large unit. The basic part of tbe plan for military studies must consist of subjects which will help perform practical tasks arising during the combat training and military education of the large unit (unit).
Tbe plan must also indicate tbe arrangements made for the training of officers in both theory and scientific methodslectures for officers, viewing of military and documentary fline. Informational and other reports, and discussloc of work done.. In addition, arrangements may be mads to provide for study of the principles of
methods of military research, conferences on methods with the authors actively engaged In producing the studies, and aof study outlines for the more important military studies. umming up of tha results of military studies and the discussion of the plan far the next year should also be Included in the plan,which should also provide for officers' conferencea to exchange experiences, and other arrangemente. Finally, arrangements for work on improving efficiency and inventive worx should be taken into conslderatloc. Indicating tbe main lines along which it Is to be directed.
Plans for military studies shoulS be specific. They should show the subjects, the purpose of the investigation and the expected result, who is to carry out the task and by what date, and how the work Is to be realired. At the aaae time, tbe plans should show the general purposes and tasks for military studies for the period.
For the sake of clarity and convenience in using the plan, it is recommended that the arrangements fee military studies should be set outefinite order. Tat creative part (working out of subjects) may be separated from the teaks an scientific -oethed. It Is desirable to errange the tasks in tbe order in which they are to be completed or by types of military studies. In all cases, it is advantageous to group tbe tasks according to the echelon by which tbey will be carried out.
Some military study groups et headquarters of military districts suggest that the planarge unit should include one or two conferences on subjects of the large unit orist of subjects determined by the senior commander; one or two summaries of tactical exercises, firings, study problems and problems of militaryonferenceeeting may then be called to discuss the results of these; one to three papers on the most Important problems of combat training and military education,ide elrele of officers to write the various sections; the preparationctures, reports on military science, and communications which are subsequently read and discussed at conferences,and the writing of articles. ertain part of the work may be planned1 for units or the units may be brought in to carry it out. Tola reduces the number of subjects Intended for study by officers of the large uai* ccfrsaead.
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spinas
itarge
by step to solve Independently mejor problems of military theory, are: summary of tbe experience from training and exercises; military study conferences (includingeetings, and reports; discussion of reports, papera, and articles, andof training aids and methods. The independent creative elementarying role In all these methods, but in every case it is essential.
A large role in military studiesarge unit (unit) ia played by summarizing the experiences gained from tre in ir 5. This la not badly done in tne large units of tbe North Caucasian, par Eastern, and coxae other military districts.
Tha work in these large units generally starts with the preparationlan forraining exercise and is organized in the following manner.
A group of officers is formed, with representatives of the various arms of troops (in accordance with the problems being studied). The group clarifies the problem dealing with the subject, studies the necessary literature, prepares or participates in tbe preparationask for tbe exercise, introducing in it tbe problems for investigation (what, how, and at what stage of the exercise to clarify, check, orndicating tbe ale and tbe intention of the investigation, and also what forces and means are to be used. After this, the basic methods of work are determined and the tasks are divided among tbe group and among the umpires (at their briefing).
After the exercise, personal observations and reports by umpires and the officers in training, as well as summary reports, ere generalized. Summarizing materialattalion exercise takes up toays,egimental exercise uponth, andivision or corps exercise up to two montfcs.
It must be borne in Bind that aummarlzing of the results of an exercise cannot be reduced to describing the course taken by the exercise or substantiating already well-known propositions. It mustomprehensive, thorough, and creative analysis of the mostaspects of the exercise that answers the probleos posed for investigation.
It should reflect the eh in points sod note and develop tbe propositions which will help to perform the urgent practical tasks or those which have great prospects for development.
In their structure, summarising the exercises may be compiledreat variety of ways. As one variant, we would suggest the following report form.
The first section shouldbort general description of the exercise (subject, aim, ta-ks, location, tine, troops taking part, and details ofescription of the aim of study and of tbe teaks and tbe problems set for solution.
It la advisable- to dose the section with short and eubatarrtlated conclusions.
The second section shouldescription of tbe course of the exercise and tbe resolution of tba problems set. This analyzea the organization of tbe combat operation of the troops (the commander's decision, aaslgnment of tasks, combat security, control of troops,nd how tbey were carried cut In the light of the tasks set for investigation.
At the end of tbe section, short conclusions based on the factual material should be given.
The third section ahould be general conclusions, setting out the results of the investigation and the theoretical propositions on each problem studied. This Is the basis, tbe main part of the report, both in significance and size.
The sunning up should be supported by the necessary charts, diagrams, tables, etc. In our opinion, it la desirable to draw up many of them during work on the report because later tbey often Influence its content.
ule, the officers are partially Informed of the results of tbe summary during the exercise critique, end In full at the theoretical or ujflclal conference. The most Instructive parts of the suacary, of Interest also to other large units, are published in toe district susmry of collected materials oa exchange of experience
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free combat training or in the central military press.
A widespread form of military study in large units (units) is the study meeting. This dealsarrower range of problemsonference but sometimes moy also discuss complex subjects.
Tha purposeeeting is often to reach unanimity of opinion on individual problemsesult of thorough discussion. Later, these propositions may be discussed more widely (tbe main reportsed for further wars on the subject, ar, with the senior commander'a permission, they may be incorporated into the methods of combat training and military education.
Tbe preparation for and tbe conducteeting require considerably leas time thanonference although the work methods are almoat the same. But still they must not beonference ia attendedider range of people eent frcm other large unita, educational institutions, and subordinate and higher headquarters, and therefore the discussion of the subject will be oare comprehensive -
One of the frequently used forms is tbe preparation of papers by combining original independent creative work with the results already achieved and described in various military publications, lhe methods used in the preparationaper differ but little from those used ineportthe basic problems are defined, their formulation is putolid baais, and the aub-stance of tbe report ia set out. But, as distinctreat part is devoted to an exposition of views of the various research workers (authors) on the essenceiven subject and to an account of the details of their opinions. But the moat valuable partsaper are the independent conclusions and suggestion* made ay the author.
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Another important prerequisite of aucceea in military atudies ia the organization of supervision of and assistance to subordinate staffs and to those who actually carry out the work.
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Experience has shown thai, as yet, insufficient attention is paid to this in larp* usits (unite), Many large unit (unit) commanding officer* notorJycbiot conduct any military studies themselves, but do cyz direct their subordiijatas and have not created any definite system cf supervision acd sssistance.
Supervision must be purposeful and specific. It ahould be directed towtrd supporting the moat important measures taken, the basic problems of the subject under study, and should be carried out at the crucial periods of tbe work (planning, the working out of baaic subjects, etc.). While doing this, It ia Important not merely to ascertain the state of affairs but to determine correctly how well the author has mastered bis task, what are the aims set, what ways of resolving the problems have been projected, what le the quality of the work performed, and what difficulties are being met.
The controlling officer will be able to cope with his own tasks only when he can render systematic help to those who carry out the work. Supervision and assistance must be done systematically from the beginning of the workubject because any defects which arise during the work are difficult and sometimes impossible to eliminate.
The prerequisites for supervision and assistance are established while tbe military studies ore still being planned. Even during the discussion of the study outline, the authors are given help in selecting ways of resolving the main problems, given advice oa the use of publications, overcoming of difficult! etc.
To achieve efficient supervision, it le advisable toaleader plan for working out each subject. This can be tbe study outline of tbe work which shows tha dates for completion of each section or even subsection and also determines the times for making all the arrangements in connection with the work. In addition, it is desirable that the large units (units)hart of supervision and assistance with carefully selected,and veil trained officers postei on It. arge unithart may include the large unit commander and his deputies, the chief of staff, the ctlef of operations, and the chiefs of tbe arms of troops and services.
Experience ahowsheck on the state of military studiesnit ia of moat value when conducted at tbe same time aa the check of combat training, and the reaulta of the check are mentioned in the orders of the commanding officer of the large unit and made known to all officers.
Increasing military atudie* is played by political organs and Party organizations. They enllat the officers to carry out high quality work, foster widespread criticism and self-criticism, and raise tbe level of creative activity, discipline, and executive ability. Experience ahows that when military atudlea are constantly conducted in the aphere of influence of the Party-political apparatus, they are successful.
, correct organization of records of tbe work done, aa well as tneir unbiased evaluation and accomplishment in the proper time, are of great importance. For convenience, it is advisable toeparate file ln keeping records of military studynitarge unit. arge unit, ln addition to the tasks carried out by officers of the command, the main measures taken by the units are Included and alao atuoj.es not encompassed by the plan (review of proposed regulations and various manuals and works).
A practice to be encouraged la the aubmleslon to higher headquartersarge unitecordtudy carried outnit, together with the large unit command element's opinion of the aubataace of the work.
BclPal nethods of realization of workarge unit (unit) may be: use of the recomaeodationa of conferences oa military studieeroop training exercise; reading of reporta, pep-re, lectures and Information to further the theoretical and practical training of officera; aod publication of works in tbe central and district military preae and aa individual pamphlets and
f'bflt t0 achleve better Binary atudies the central military journals shouldpecial section. We can-
ly high quality ean be accepted and are published as articles in all sections of tbe journals. At the
Original document.
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