The document provides an overview and summary of Sun Tzu's classic work "The Art of War". It discusses how the text is divided into 13 chapters that cover initial estimations of war, waging war, planning offensives, military disposition, and other strategic concepts. The document also notes that while the book was written in ancient China, its teachings have been studied and applied by various militaries throughout history and remain important in understanding strategy and military planning.

1. Art of War Sun Tzu SSG Richard J Sands “ Leadership is not a position, it is an action”

2. TLO To have a basic understanding of “ The Art of War” so you can apply basic ancient military concepts into today’s modern battlefield.

3. Military History Napoleon British Military under King George III Gen. George Armstrong Custer Nazi Germany Korean War Vietnam Conflict Anything the French have done… are doing… or going to do…EVER

4. History of The Art of War Studied and used by United States Military, Napoleon, Nazi Germany, China, Japan, Korea and remains one of the most important military documents in the Asian continent Believed to have been written around 512 B.C. Sun Tzu developed these teachings in solitary at his home in the mountains and first deployed them in the war between rival states of China Ch’u and Wu

5. Last known photo of Sun Tzu

6. Chapter 1 Initial Estimations “Warfare is the greatest affair of state, the basis of life and death, the way to survival or extinction. It must be thoroughly pondered and analyzed.”

7. Chapter 2 Waging War “Those who do not thoroughly comprehend the dangers inherent in employing the army are incapable of truly knowing the potential advantages of military actions.”

8. Chapter 3 Planning Offensives “…thus the highest realization of warfare is to attack the enemy’s plans; next is to attack their alliances; next to attack their army; and the lowest to attack their fortified cities.”

9. Chapter 4 Military Disposition “One who cannot be victorious assumes a defensive posture; one who can be victorious attacks”

10. Chapter 5 Strategic Military Power “In general, commanding a large number is like commanding a few. It is a question of dividing up the numbers.”

11. Chapter 6 Vacuity and Substance “In general, whoever occupies the battleground first and awaits the enemy will be at ease; whoever occupies the battle ground afterwards and must race to the conflict will be fatigued.”

12. Chapter 7 Military Combat “Thus the strategy for employing the military: Do not approach high mountains; do not confront those who have hills behind them. Do not pursue feigned retreats. Do not attack animated troops. Do not swallow an army acting as bait. Do not obstruct an army retreating homeward.”

13. Chapter 8 Nine Changes Thus the general who has a penetrating understanding of the advantages of the nine changes knows how to employ the army…..if he does not he does not understand the advantages of terrain”

14. Chapter 9 Maneuvering the Army “ As for deploying the army and fathoming the enemy….”

15. Chapter 10 Configurations of Terrain “ The major configurations of terrain are accessible, suspended, stalemated, constricted, precipitous and expansive”

16. Chapter 11 Nine Terrains Dispersive Terrain Light Terrain Contentious Terrain Traversable Terrain Focal Terrain Heavy Terrain Entrapping Terrain Encircled Terrain Fatal Terrain

17. Chapter 12 Incendiary Attacks Five types of incendiary attack are…. Men Provisions Supply Trains Incinerate armories Formations

18. Chapter 13 Employing Spies “Thus there are five types of spies to be employed: local, internal, turned [double agent], dead and living spies.”

19. Summary 13 Chapters of Sun Tzu Initial Estimations Waging War Planning Offensives Military Disposition Strategic Military Power Vacuity and Substance Military Combat Nine Changes Maneuvering the Army Configurations of Terrain Nine Terrains Incendiary Attacks Employing Spies

20. Summary Cont. It is important to remember to continue to learn and evolve. The more you understand about the past the better you can plan for the future. Basic military strategy has been evolving for hundreds of years and will continue to change. In today’s modern battlefield we have to mold to a more dynamic way of fighting. The lessons we learn today help those of tomorrow; therefore we need to ensure our lessons are documented and studied.

21. TLO To have a basic understanding of “ The Art of War” so you can apply basic ancient military concepts into today’s modern battlefield.

22. CHECK ON LEARING

23. AAR