Tactical Disposition & Energy

In tactical disposition Sun Tzu focuses on offensive and defensive operations. He starts by talking about defensive operations and states that a "good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat". I think we have already started to learn this principle in rotc-land because whenever we do STX lanes security is always the most important element. Tzu also says that "making no mistakes establishes the certainty of victory". This is an offensive operation which we have also practiced in rotc-land. OPORDs give a plan for victory and contingency plans while rehearsals ensure that everyone is on the same page in order to avoid mistakes.

In the next section, Energy, Tzu focuses on direct and indirect methods of attack. Energy is the combination of these two types of attack. While you need indirect methods in order to secure victory, they would not be possible without direct methods; the two are interdependent. Tzu talks about utilizing combined energy which reminds me of the principle of mass which says to concentrate combat power at the decisive place and time in order to multiply your strength.