The Combat Power of Simplicity

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.’s Breaking Defense report “‘Simple plans, violently executed’: One Army unit’s old-school counter to high-tech chaos” examines how the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment approaches modern warfare at the National Training Center. Despite operating drones, jammers, and advanced sensors, the unit stresses that combat plans and organizations must stay simple enough to function under stress. Too many systems and data streams can overwhelm soldiers and slow decisions when speed matters most.

Decision Points Tactics

The unit draws inspiration from Decision Point Tactics, a doctrinal pamphlet first published in 1997. The concept focuses on intensive rehearsals and preplanned responses to likely battlefield scenarios. Once a fight begins, junior leaders can act immediately against high-priority targets without waiting for detailed instructions. The goal is to seize opportunities quickly and keep the enemy reacting.

Centralizing Capabilities 

At the same time, the regiment deliberately concentrates its most complex capabilities. Instead of distributing drones and jammers across multiple battalions, the unit places them in specialized formations such as its Centaur Squadron. This structure allows skilled operators to integrate intelligence from multiple sensors and conduct long-range reconnaissance and strikes before conventional forces make contact.

Lessons for the Contemporary Battlefield

The regiment’s experience reflects the realities emerging in contemporary combat zones, where drones and electronic warfare are extending battlefields and compressing decision timelines. On the other hand, the officers warn against building organizations around any single technology. Systems evolve quickly, software changes rapidly, and today’s advantage may disappear tomorrow. 

The Bottom Line:

To gain and maintain an edge, you need disciplined planning, empowered leaders, and simple plans executed with speed and aggression.

For a look at one way combat planning is being rethought in the U.S. military establishment, read about how the School for Command Preparation is redesigning the Army’s command curriculum in Col. Duane Mosier and Dr. Audrey Ayers’ essay “Transforming Command Team Education to Prepare Leaders to Win on the Modern Battlefield.”

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