Abstract
In the fog of war, correct identification of the enemy’s Centre of Gravity (CoG) and its sources of strengths and weaknesses can turn the tide, much like the Allies did in the Battle of the Atlantic by dismantling the U-boat system’s vital links rather than chasing U-boats alone. This paper analyses three prominent methods —Milan Vego’s hierarchical framework spanning CoGs across strategic, operational and tactical levels; Dr. Joe Strange’s CG-CC-CR-CV model linking capabilities to vulnerabilities; and Dale Eikmeier’s ‘does/uses’ test for swift actor identification —using Operation Desert Storm as a common example for consistency. Each of the methods’ excels in context: Vego for unravelling layered campaigns; Strange for specific targeting; and Eikmeier for rapid planning. By mastering understanding of all methods, practitioners gain tools to cross-validate their conclusions, avoid pitfalls like mistaking heels for Achilles and adapt to shifting threats, thus blending Clausewitzian insight with real-world situations for planning decisive operations.
Keywords: Centre of gravity (CoG), Coup d’oeil, Operational Art, Vego’s method, Dr Strange’s CG-CC-CR-CV, Eikmeier’s ends-ways-means, Cultural Shift
