Marine Corps University Perspectives on Warflghting Number Four Second Edition CENTERS OF GRAVITY & CRITICAL VULNERABILITIES: Building on the Clausewitzian Foundation So That We Can All Speak the Same Language by Dr. Joe Strange Marine Corps War College The fourth printing of the second edition of Perspectives on Warfighting, Number Four is funded by the Marine Corps University Foundation; Quantico, VA. No portion of this manuscript may be reproduced or stored in anyway except as authorized by law. Upon request to the author, active and reserve military units will be given permission to reproduce this issue to assist in their training and professional military education. Contact Dr. Strange via the following email address: joseph
[email protected]. This email address supercedes the one listed on the bottom of page x. Copyright 1996 by the Marine Corps University. Fourth printing (2005) of this second edition is printed by contract via the Defense Automated Printing Service Center; Quantico, VA. The emblem of the U.S. Marine Corps depicted on the front cover is used courtesy of the Triton Collection; New York, NY. This emblem is available as a full color print or poster for sale at the Marine Corps Association Bookstore ; Quantico, VA. Marine Corps University Second Edition Preface Clarification, Minor Changes and Elaboration to the First Edition (#1) Think: NOUN Center of Gravity VERB Critical Capability 1 NOUN (and verb) Critical Requirement 2 NOUN (and verb) Critical Vulnerability 1 See immediately below (#2) and (#3). 2 See immediately below (#2) and (#3). viii Perspectives on Warfighting Centers of Gravity (#2) I propose the following Minor Modifications of Definitions for your consideration: (Definitions on pages 43 and 64 ONLY have been changed accordingly.) Centers of Gravity: Primary sources of moral or physical strength, power and resistance.