Force multiplier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A force multiplier is a military term referring to a factor that dramatically increases (hence "multiplies") the combat effectiveness of a military force. Each factor may apply more or less under different cirmcumstances.
Some common force multipliers are:
- Technology
- Morale
- Geographical features
- Weather
- Recruitment through diplomacy
- Training
- Strength of numbers
[edit] Examples
A small group of well-equipped soldiers holding a fortified position at the top of a mountain, with the sun at their backs, may be far more effective than a larger group of soldiers with worse equipment in an exposed position with the sun in their faces.
A given infantry division may be able to advance 12 miles (20 km) in a day. Assigning trucks to this division will act as a force multiplier allowing the division to advance 40 miles (65 km) in a day. Air support, artillery, and other specialized weapons systems are other examples of factors that may dramatically increase the division's capabilities.
Modern Western militaries are highly force-multiplied forces, in that a relatively small number of troops can successfully defeat much larger numbers of less well-trained and equipped enemies. For example, in the Battle of Mogadishu two Special Forces soldiers held off hundreds of militia for hours. In the 2003 War in Iraq, a smaller force achieved a much more difficult objective than in the 1991 Gulf War, because of advances in sensors, computers, and telecommunications.[citation needed]
However, some military analysts believe that the overwhelming combat capabilities of advanced military forces may lead to a false assumption of their capabilities in every situation. For this reason, these strategists may argue that greater emphasis needs to be placed on "boots on the ground" (the actual number of troops present).
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."[citation needed]
Another kind of force multiplier is to select a small number of highly-trained professional soldiers and smuggle them deep into enemy-held territory, where they covertly train indigenous civilians in guerilla warfare. In this scenario, an underground resistance movement disrupts enemy activities within their secured territory while regular military forces attack from outside.
