Flexible Response Quotes

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

Our military plans should be based on the assumption of unpredictability, rather than on carefully drawn, static models of the world.

We've proven to be quite flexible and adept in the way that we've changed what was the original pattern of air activities into something that's now very focused on the battlefield.

The best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses.

Soldiers can sometimes make decisions that are smarter than the orders they've been given.

We reserve the right to respond to any act of the adversary at a time and place of our choosing.

I must accommodate my history to the hour: I may presently change, not only by fortune, but also by intention.

Life is not an on and off switch. You don't have to have a military that is either in hard combat or is in the barracks.

I have no special strategy. I can just wait to see what my opponent offers.