Sun Tzu

“The Art of War”

As Used By Today’s Military

 The Art of War is taught today in several military settings. It
is still used as a guide, along with other theorists’ works.
 The following institutions all have courses, or studies all
geared toward the study of Sun Tzu’s work:

o West Point- The United States Military Academy

o The United States Naval Academy
o Naval War College
o United States Marine Corps
o Maxwell Air Force Base- Air University
o Army War College
 Courses taught about Sun Tzu and The Art of War
are found under both history and military science departments.
Some sample courses it is taught in are:

HI377 History of Asian Warfare- “This course explores military

experience and thinking in Eastern Asia from the time of Sun Tzu
to the present. . . The course concludes with examination of how
strategic concerns have shaped warfare in Asia in recent decades.”
 Courses (cont.)

HI385 War and Its Theorists- “The course examines the contributions
of selected theorists. The student reads the theorists’ major writings,
analyzes their principal ideas, and studies their influence on military
affairs. This will help the student reach his or her own conclusions
bout fundamental questions concerning the conduct and fundamental
nature of war. . .
 In courses based on military theory or strategy, Sun Tzu’
The Art of War is typically taught in concordance with several
other theorists and their works.

Clausewitz- “On War” Liddell Hart- Countless

Jomini- Precis de l’Art de
Guerra
Mahan- Multiple Books,
Mahan on Naval Warfare
Fuller- Several Works
Books
Brodie- Strategy as an Art
and Sceince
Corbett- Some Principles
of Maritime Strategy
Mao- Various Quotations
 Carl von Clausewitz
Dictum: “To introduce into the philosophy
of war a principle of moderation would be
an absurdity– War is an act of violence
pushed to its utmost bounds.”

“The means would lose all relation to the end”

Generally used as an alternative to Sun Tzu

Primarily tackles the rules of conduct during war
(rather than the bare bones strategy)
Unlike Sun Tzu, left a lot to the imagination, up to
interpretation
Believed the defensive position was more powerful.
 Baron Antoine Henri de Jomini
 Presents his conclusions similarly to Sun Tzu
as if they are the absolute and only truth
His work is considered less valuable than
Clausewitz, but still notable in its own right.
Clausewitz published just before Jomini, so
Jomini had an opportunity to read and study
Clausewitz first.

Unlike Clausewitz and Sun Tzu, Jomini focused more on naval

strategy than land or air.
Believed offensive position to be the most powerful
 Basil Henry Liddell Hart

Liddell Hart wrote many books on the subject of war. This is

what he had to say about Sun Tzu:
 “[The writings] may well be termed the concentrated essence of wisdom
on the conduct of war.”
 “Among all the military thinkers of the past only Clausewitz is
comparable. . . Sun Tzu has a clearer vision, more profound insight, and
eternal freshness.”
 “Sun Tzu was the best short introduction to warfare, and no less valuable
for constant reference and extended study of the subject.”
 References to Sun Tzu from today’s top officials

The strategy outlined in these such works is still being applied

and discussed by today’s top government officials.

Donald Rumsfeld wrote

this summer an article
entitled “Strategic
Leader Readiness and
Competencies for
Asymmetric Warfare.”

Among numerous other comments he makes, he writes:

“Military strategists have suggested that the writings of Sun Tzu seem more relevant
than those of Carl von Clausewitz. Both theorists offer many useful concepts in
emphasizing and identifying the mental readiness and leadership competencies
relevant for a strategic leader in an asymmetric war.”
 In Conclusion. . .
The Work of Sun Tzu is taught today in several of the
nation’s top military training institutions. It is taught in
concordance with several major works that could not have
been written, or at least would not have been the same without
Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War.”
 Web Sites Used:
http://www.army.mil/prof_writing/volumes/volume1/august_2003/8_03
http://www.artofwarsuntzu.com/america_experiences_sun_tzu
.htm
http://www.sonshi.com/
http://www.kw.igs.net/
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/awc-thry.htm
http://www.dean.usma.edu
http://www.nwc.navy.mil/ncc/StudentInfoGuide/curriculum.htm
http://www.army.mil/prof_writing/volumes/volume1/august_2003/8_03