Three Block War

<h2 id="strategic-corporal">"Strategic corporal"</h2>
<p>The strategic corporal is the notion that leadership in complex, rapidly evolving mission environments devolves lower and lower down the <a href="/facts/Chain_of_command/s91MBp3L">chain of command</a> to better exploit time-critical information into the decision making process, ultimately landing on the <a href="/facts/Corporal/spJKfn8E">corporal</a>, the lowest ranking <a href="/facts/Non-commissioned_officer/Xo9BtG06">non-commissioned officer</a>, typically commanding a fire team of 4 individuals or a squad of 12 individuals (three fireteams). In very rapidly evolving mission situations, obtaining mission instructions from remotely located command may result in mission failure, or in casualties to both force personnel and civilians. Conversely, misusing this kind of responsibility may result in personal liability for the team leader: a decision executed to respond to situational needs may result in later prosecution as the team leader's actions are reviewed by higher authorities.
</p><p>The term "strategic corporal" was coined by General Charles C. Krulak in the title of an article in <i>Marines Magazine</i> about the "Three Block War," an increasingly important arena of military operations characterized by engagement with hostile, neutral and friendly forces, all at the same time, in a very geographically limited area, e.g., three blocks.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a>
</p><p>This concept requires forces to apply an appropriate type of response in a timely manner relative to the immediate context. Complex <a href="/facts/Rules_of_engagement/V0NjbwcI">rules of engagement</a> are needed that will minimize collateral damage to civilians and infrastructure. However, training "strategic corporals" requires time and money above and beyond what is considered normal <a href="/facts/Infantry/QAHDDQtk">infantry</a> or <a href="/facts/Military_police/UuWyM6jG">military police</a> training.
</p><p>The U.S. Army has used the Strategic Corporal term for their plan to equip ordinary squad leaders with advanced laser rangefinders to plot artillery fire.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a>
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<h2 id="impact">Impact</h2>
<p>The need to conduct operations in this situation has significantly emphasised the importance of low level tactical <a href="/facts/Leadership/37hL95TH">leaders</a> and led to the term <i>strategic corporal</i> being devised.
</p><p>One of the adjustments in the USMC is to move coordination of artillery down from the battalion to the company level.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a>
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<h2 id="example">Example</h2>
<p>In the <a href="/facts/Battle_of_Mogadishu_(1993)/qYckQE0C">Battle of Mogadishu</a>, as detailed in the book and film <i><a href="/facts/Black_Hawk_Down_(book)/Emt8J3Y5">Black Hawk Down</a></i>, small-unit leaders on the ground continually had to make crucial decisions which had major impacts on not only the forces initially deployed on the mission, but to follow-on forces as well.
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<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Hybrid_warfare/ycPbF9uj">Hybrid warfare</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20041015182910/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmc/strategic_corporal.htm">The Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Fox, Robert (27 June 2004). "Regiments face the axe in defence overhaul". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101006161821/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/regiments-face-the-axe-in-defence-overhaul-733713.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20101006161821/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/regiments-face-the-axe-in-defence-overhaul-733713.html</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>"The Rise and Demise of the "Three Block War"". Canadian Military Journal. <a href="http://www.journal.dnd.ca/vol10/no1/07-dornvarey-eng.asp" target="_blank">http://www.journal.dnd.ca/vol10/no1/07-dornvarey-eng.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>Krulak, Charles C. (1999). "The Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War". Marines Magazine. Air University. Archived from the original on October 15, 2004. Retrieved 2006-11-23. <a href="/wiki/Charles_C._Krulak" target="_blank">/wiki/Charles_C._Krulak</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>Wales, Derek (6 May 2011). "DemonEye- Equipping the Strategic Corporal for COIN". U.S. Army. <a href="https://www.army.mil/article/56114/DemonEye__Equipping_the_Strategic_Corporal_for_COIN/" target="_blank">https://www.army.mil/article/56114/DemonEye__Equipping_the_Strategic_Corporal_for_COIN/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:5"><p>Lamothe, Dan (24 May 2011). "New training puts distance between HQ and units". Marine Times. <a href="http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/05/marine-training-air-ground-task-force-052411w/" target="_blank">http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/05/marine-training-air-ground-task-force-052411w/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
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Three Block War