ABSTRACT
The doctrinal premise of past nuclear battlefield doctrine was based on the concept of general release which envisioned the unconstrained use of nuclear weapons on the battlefield. Nuclear weapons would be used to support military operations in order to destroy the enemy’s capability to wage offensive war. Nuclear weapon release will be highly selective and controlled at the national level. Nuclear weapons are viewed as reserve combat power that higher headquarters will keep a string on. Maneuver companies may adjust their positions to the intensity of ground combat and the nuclear threat, but transition at and above brigade level is unnecessary. Under the old concept the military objective was the total defeat of the enemy. In essence, the US Army does not have what can appropriately be called an authoritative nuclear warfighting doctrine for tactical nuclear weapons and forces. The military aspects of the problem are hidden by overriding procedural and political factors.
