[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Warfighting: A Function of Combat Power

## Details

**Authors** Ryan, T.

**Year** 2022

**Publisher** Military Review (U.S. Army)

**Kind of work** article

**Kind of engagement** applications

[Read it](https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/)

## In authors' words

### Abstract

[Article page returned its opening in summary form with embedded verbatim quotations; no formal abstract is printed.] Maj. Thomas R. Ryan Jr. proposes a mathematical modeling framework to redefine how the U.S. Army understands combat power's elements, arguing this approach offers novel insights for implementing multi-domain operations (MDO) and advocating that 'information' be elevated to formal warfighting function status. Traditional warfare domains are expanding beyond land, sea, and air to include space and cyberspace, and 'Russian and Chinese long-range fires' have fractured traditional doctrine. Verbatim from the article: combat power is 'the total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit or formation can apply at a given time'; MDO requires 'convergence' defined as the 'rapid and continuous integration of capabilities in all domains' optimizing cross-domain synergy; mathematical modeling helps 'visualize old relationships leading to novel insights and deeper understanding'; the existing elements framework may represent 'cul-de-sacs leading to a dead end' of modern warfighting comprehension. The stated aim is to demonstrate how mathematical modeling can provide novel insights into the relationship between combat power elements.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A Military Review article proposing a mathematical modeling framework for the elements of combat power, aimed at implementing multi-domain operations doctrine.

### What they found (results)

Modeling the relationships between combat power's elements yields insights the existing doctrinal framework obscures — and "information" should be elevated to a formal warfighting function.

## Commentary

### In short

U.S. Army use of DSRP-based thinking.

**Patterns it shows** S, R

**How to cite this** Ryan, T. (2022). Warfighting: A Function of Combat Power. Military Review (U.S. Army).