The John Boyd collection (merged thread)
Can anyone recommend a good introduction to Colonel Boyd's strategic thinking? I know some regard him as America's greatest strategist, but I know nothing about him beyond the Fighter Mafia/F-16 stuff and OODA Loop. Is there some good stuff of his online, or should I read Coram's book?
better Q might be where should his influence have ended
Boyd seems excellent in fighter tactics and strategy but the central analogy when applied to forces of size seems to hold only when one faces a rational enemy who above all wishes to preserve the lives within the force. An army division can outmanuver and corner an enemy but unless the enemy is willing to surrender you may still have to destroy him and that requires a certain level of political will to support such actions made even more difficult when the opposing force usually justs melts back into the populace rather than die or surrender.
Often we solace ourselve that a force that melts back into the populace is destroyed this in fact is not true they melted effectively on their own terms still armed with knowledge and experience if not actual arms.
Summary Links for Boyd 2007