Why do U.S. war colleges study lessons learned during wars?

U.S. war colleges study lessons learned during past conflicts to improve the professional education of senior military leadership and to refine strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making. By examining history and analyzing the political, economic, and social factors that influenced previous wars, these institutions aim to better prepare officers for the complexities of command and national security.1

This practice is rooted in the understanding that war is a deeply uncertain endeavor, often characterized by what military theorist Carl von Clausewitz described as "friction" and the "fog of war"—the tendency for plans to go awry and for leaders to operate with incomplete information. Because history shows that many armies struggle at the beginning of a conflict, war colleges serve as laboratories for war-gaming and policy development, helping leaders move beyond simplistic aphorisms to develop the clear, connected thinking required to navigate modern threats. Ultimately, these studies ensure that military leaders are equipped to apply the lessons of the past to the evolving challenges of the future.213