strategic v. tactical

[David Barnhart]

I found the following in the _Dictionary of United States Army Terms_ (TM
20-205, 18 January 1944):



"strategic, deigned or tending to place one's combat power in a condition or
position of advantage over the enemy; strategical.  Strategic problems and
activities are usually on a much broader scale than tactical ones, and
involve the highest commanders." (p 267)



"tactical, having to do with combat operations or with plans for the
employment of units in combat.  The word tactical refers to actual combat
operations; the word strategic refers to large-scale planning of large-unit
commanders.  Tactical also differs from administrative, which deals with
noncombat activities of an organization. "  (p 276)



The _United States Air Force Dictionary_ (Hefflin, Air University Press:
1956):



"strategic, a. (strat.) 1. Of or pertaining to the use of strategy (which
see) to create advantageous conditions for meeting the enemy in combat, or
to achieve an ultimate objective, as in strategic concept, strategic
mobility, strategic plan, strategic vulnerability.  2.a. Of or pertaining to
military measures or actions taken against the enemy's war-making capacity
(.), as in strategic air attack, strategic air warfare, strategic
bombardment, strategic offensive.  See strategic air operation.  b.
Organized , designed, or used to carry out these measures or actions, as in
strategic air arm, strategic air base, strategic air power.  3. Of raw
materials: Needed for the industrial support of a war effort, as in
strategic atomic material.  4. In general use: Significant or important; of
value or importance in strategy, as in strategic evaluation, strategic
location." (p 493)



Regards,

DKB



barnhart at highlands.com

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