[September 26, 2018] Personal favorite lists of “military laws” are those collected under the rubric of Murphy’s Laws of Combat Operations. These so-called laws are both educational and entertaining in a way that only those who’ve lived and survived in the Armed Forces will know. What they have in common is that they are about important things in the military.
“In war, important things are simple and simple things are very hard.” – one of the laws from Murphy’s Laws of Combat Operations
When I first read this many years ago, it puzzled me.1 Of course, I thought, winning a war is conceptually simple but unbelievably hard. Running a marathon is simple too, all you have to do is keep running for 26.2 miles … but that run is hard. I was confusing the idea of “easy” with “simple.” And at that time in my life, I had not yet read one of my now-favorite military theorists.
Simple doesn’t mean easy. There are other factors that also come into play when we say important things are always simple and simple things are hard; unexpected things like hard work, discipline, motivation, perseverance, etc. Karl von Clausewitz said it better:
“Everything in war is simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. The difficulties accumulate and end by producing a kind of friction that is inconceivable unless one has experienced war.” – Karl von Clausewitz, On War, military theorist
Von Clausewitz’s explanation adds conceptually to our understanding of Murphy’s Laws by giving us the concept of “friction.” Friction accounts for those actions in war that are subject to uncertainty and the unexpected. And it applies to everything we do and say.
The key for leaders to remember is that nothing is as simple as it seems; nor as easy. It also means that leadership can be learned in the most unexpected places, including Murphy’s Laws. Read them when you can. I think you will be entertained along the way and, perhaps, learn a few things.
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- How could important things be simple? My impression has always been that important things are complicated; the very opposite of simple. How could it be simple when experience appears to show that not to be the case? Second, although I could understand the logic that important things are very hard, tying it to it being simple was dubious at best and anyway, why are simple things so hard?
Interesting discussions about von Clausewitz. I too have found him very educational. He teaches us about humanness despite writing about war.
There are many who will not understand today’s blog post and that is okay. what is important is that they get the idea that leadership can be learned if you stick with it. All the better if you have a mentor to help you along the way.
Len, I have discovered that many young folks (from the Millennial generation?) don’t want mentors. Interesting!
Philosophical today, I see. Thanks.
There should be no surprise that “variables” or “friction” make it difficult to predict what will happen and those unexpected things will crop up.
Clausewitz defines friction of war as the random and unpredictable events within a given conflict that cannot be foreseen. The basic definition of friction does not apply to Clausewitz; it is rather a series of events that inherently complicate even the simplest of tasks. Furthermore Clausewitz describes friction in war as the only concept that distinguishes war in theoretical terms from the experience of real war. Thus in theory the friction cannot be simulated as individuals within the war contribute their own unique friction, each making constant contact with the element of chance. Friction can be best described as an unseen “force” that turns what seems ordinary and simple into a series of complicated events.
People have patterns of behavior, like making a series of bad decisions. Great comment, Willie.
Good comment that explains “friction” much better than I did. Thanks.
Thank you!
Clausewitz terms “friction” the “only concept that more or less corresponds to the factors that distinguish real war from war on paper.” Friction is caused mainly by the danger of war, by war’s demanding physical efforts, and by the presence of unclear information or the fog of war.
More on friction in war.
http://community.battlefront.com/topic/52785-friction-in-war-clausewitz-and-cmbb/
Gen. Satterfield, another good article that made me think. Appreciate your input on this. Cheers!
I agree with many of those commenting that the concepts here are not easy to understand. Those who are immature – and that applies to most college students – will find it difficult to grasp. However, young adults in the military will get the idea quickly. Why is that? Probably those in the military are far more mature mentally.
Wait until I try to explain this concept to my High School classes and football team! Someone should make a video.
ha ha, what about explaining it to the cheerleaders!
Many young adults will not understand. Kids will truly struggle with the idea.
Good one! You made me laugh today, Mr. Asper.
🙂 🙂 🙂
The idea of “friction” that von Clausewitz proposed was not new at the time but he was able to put into words what many were thinking. Anyone who has been a leader for some time will know that a task or mission is often conceptually simple but getting it accomplished is a completely different matter. I too had many tasks at work and had to get it done with people who didn’t want to cooperate. So there are many variables that effect it.
… and Gen. Satterfield mentions a few of those variables. One that he didn’t mention but I think is crucial is “morale”. Without good morale, little can get done. Good comment, Max.
Thanks for a great article today that made me think. That’s why I keep coming back to your site.
Murphy’s Laws are hilarious and I have a copy in my work folder that I pull out occasionally and read for entertainment. My son is a fan of them also. What I try to do is explain what they mean in his 11-year-old mind. That is really the trick; telling people what the meaning of them are.
Hey, great article today on another overlooked subject in leadership development. Keep ’em coming.
Conceptually simple but difficult in execution. Yes, I have discovered this too. My mom and dad always made that clear to me growing up in Montana where the idea of raising cattle was easy but doing it was very hard.
Murphy’s Military Laws are based on a number of sources and one of them is von Clausewitz. As we can see here, the Clausewitz quote is incomplete in Murphy’s and thus a little misleading. Perhaps that is why you were a little confused initially. Good blog post today.
Well said, Army Captain. Spot on comment.
Thanks, Army Captain for a succient note on Murphy’s Laws.