Military Review English Edition January-February 2015 | Page 28

(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret)

A team of soldiers from the 450th Engineer Company, the 350th Engineer Company, and the 374th Engineer Company moves through
concealing smoke 6 May 2012 to enter and clear a building during the Sapper Stakes competition at Fort McCoy, Wis.

Preparing Soldiers
for Uncertainty
Lt. Col. Jonathan Due, U.S. Army,
Maj. Nathan Finney, U.S. Army, and
Maj. Joe Byerly, U.S. Army

T

here is no doubt that new technologies, emerging tactical techniques and capabilities, geopolitical and strategic trends, and the character of
contemporary conflict affect our understanding of our
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profession considerably. Yet, war’s enduring nature and
the commonly accepted principles of war come from
venerable, even ancient, sources, particularly the classic
texts of Thucydides and Carl von Clausewitz. Both
January-February 2015  MILITARY REVIEW