To provide an unclassified interactive information resource and management
tool for the understanding of the history, nature, and relevance of Small
Wars in the 21st Century security environment, and for the conduct of Small
Wars programs and events. To read more about the Key Functions of the Small
Wars Center of Excellence, click here.
"Phases of Small Wars: Small wars seldom develop in accordance with any
stereotyped procedure. Certain phases of those listed below may be absent
in one situation; in another they may be combined and undertaken simultaneously;
in still others one may find that the sequence of events or phases may be
altered. The actual operations of small wars may be arbitrarily divided into
five phases as follows:
Phase 1. Initial demonstration or landing and action of vanguard
Phase 2. The arrival of reinforcements and general military operations in
the field
Phase 3. Assumptions of control of executive agencies, and cooperation with
the legislative and judicial agencies
Phase 4. Routine police functions
Phase 5. Withdrawal from the Theater of Operations Section 1-5, 1940 Small
Wars Manual
