Course Syllabus

MS 310 Tactics

Course Director:

MAJ James Smith
(845) 938-0449
james.smith@usma.edu

Scope:

This course introduces second and first class cadets to the study of the employment of units in combat. The course material, based on current U.S. Army doctrine, is presented in four blocks of instruction. The first block focuses on the doctrinal fundamentals of operations at the tactical level of war. Building on the fundamentals, the second block presents an in-depth study of the art and science of tactics, and explores techniques for offensive and tactical enabling operations. Block three examines the effects of the environment and the tactics used by enemy forces against U.S. forces in past and current operations. Block four focuses on tactical decision making, and introduces the Military Decision Making Process and OPORD. Cadets will analyze tactical scenarios throughout the course. As a final capstone exercise, cadets will plan a detailed platoon-level offensive operation.