On Operations

B. A. Friedman holds a BA in history from The Ohio State University, an MA in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and is currently enrolled in King's College London, studying the early U.S. Marine Corps and naval strategy. He serves in the Marine Corps Reserve as a field artillery officer and is the author of On Tactics: A Theory of Victory in Battle.

“On Operations presents a strong argument in support of its main hypothesis that the operational level of war is a myth. However its greatest utility is arguably to those who find themselves posted to a staff role, especially those who are posted to a tactical staff role such as a brigade or divisional headquarters. This is because On Operations does a great job of illustrating the critical function that the staff performs in allowing commanders to make sense of the complexity of modern military operations. The logic of Friedman’s main argument is clear and concise. In an age when the popular commentary surrounding military matters is to increasingly emphasize its increasing complexity, Friedman’s analysis cuts through the noise and in a way that simplifies the process through which tactics achieve strategy and strategy drives tactics.” —Grounded Curiosity“This is a book for the military professional yet one of interest to anyone curious as to why some operations succeed while others falter.” —Foreign Affairs“On Operations is both well-written and a solid work of theory supported by strong historical research…. His articulation of operational art and its constituent disciplines are both logical and clear. Operational art represents something of a niche topic, but for those studying it, Friedman’s work is the proverbial must-read.” —The Strategy Bridge“This is a well-written and engaging work that dissects and analyses the operational discipline.... Friedman does a good job at taking the reader through the rather complicated 200-year journey of operations, operational art as well as his nemesis, the operational level.... On Operations is a valuable work for those wanting to learn more about the discipline and those that want to challenge the status quo. Highly recommended.” —Wavell Room“Friedman deconstructs the ideas and history of Operational Level of War and Operational Art in this concise volume. Then, as in previous writings, builds a new theory towards a reconceptualization of the Operational Art for modern practitioners, building bridges between tactics and strategy. This is a must-read for any aspiring staff officer.” —Dr. S. Mike Pavelec, chair, Department of Airpower, Air Command and Staff College“In On Operations, B. A. Friedman makes a compelling case that war, strategy, and tactics have, at least in part, an inherent political nature. This book provides an excellent lens through which one can examine the traditional models of operational staffs, the challenges of 21st-century realities, and the ongoing weaknesses and failures of the U.S. military as well as possible corrective action. Highly recommended for scholars and practitioners of the military arts.” — Stephen C. Kepher, author of COSSAC: Lt. Gen. Sir Francis Morgan and the Genesis of Operation Overlord​"On Operations outlines a way to understand and manage war. The work is ambitious and covers significant territory. . . " — Naval War College Review