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The Application of Quantitative Methods in Practice: Procedures of Transparent Placing Small OrdersInformational pagesMgr. Ing. Jitka Janová, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 103-110 At present, we are going through army transformation, represented among others by lowering military expenditures. One of many questions accompanying this process is a purposeful and functional spending money for military purchases. The authoress, the former teacher at Defence University Brno, explains her method of multicriteria decisionmaking during shaping the algorithmic program eliminating non-optimal behaviour, suitable for all, military and state, officials, who are in contact with external providers (suppliers). Introduced method is transparent one and could be used namely for small public orders, explicitly during concluding contracts without legally fixed terms. The proposed method is demonstrated upon a concrete example of realized contract. |
The Successfulness of Departmental Language Courses, Level SLP 2, DLILanguage preparationKpt. Mgr. Jan ŠmídVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 165-169 The author analyses the impact of the Order of the MOD (1/2007) on language training within the Czech Armed Forces. He examines the situation before and after the publication of the said order and makes recommendations how to optimize the system. He supports his recommendations by empirical data gathered in the preceding eight months at the DLI- Defence Language Institute (ÚJP-Ústav jazykové přípravy) Vyškov and its subordinated branches. The results reached lead us to genuine optimalization of departmental language training. The contemporary system of language instruction, without any amendment, could exist even in the future, but it will not be as effective as it could be. |
Risk Management in Integrated InterpretationBook reviewProf. Ing. Aleš Komár, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 170-172 This year, the Defence University published the book titled Risk Management, by Brig. Prof. Ing. Rudolf Urban, CSc., and Prof. Ing. Rudolf Božek, CSc., as a textbook offering comprehensive glance at topical questions of impending risks and responses to match them. Risks are in fact part of our everyday life, out aspiration must be not to create unnecessary risks, constituted risks as fast as possible eliminate. The authors give a definition of many terms, together with their English counterparts. Especially they draw our attention to terms used wrongly in newspapers or magazines. This reviewed monograph is of highest quality and the peer reviewer recommends it to all qualified readers, not only to those who are professionally interested in security problems. Security Forum '08 by PhDr. Antonín Rašek. In February 2008 the Security Forum took place in Slovakian city Banská Bystrica. The collection of 32 presented papers was issued by Matěj Bél University. This review summarizes main ideas of those papers, in a form of cross-section study. The reviewer finds most inspirative Maersheimer's neorealistic theory of stability, classifying bipolarity above multipolarity, which is reflected in consequent evaluation of security threats. |
The Development of Society and Forces Build-upNonreviewed - OtherPplk. Ing. Ivan Němec, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 11-13 The philosophers describing the growth of humane society outline concepts that are not yet verified but if true, they would explain certain facts or phenomena. As those concepts are supported by various traditions, different criteria, different hypotheses are drawn from them. Among others, most influential political thinkers are Samuel P. Huntington, Francis Fukuyama, or Mr. and Mrs. Tofflers. Every level of civilisation corresponds to respective technology, knowledge of warfare. Current trends reflect the development of security situation, to which our state responds by respective army development. Although the current "Concept of Mobilization of Armed Forces of the Czech Republic" reacts to the newest trends of general development, the raise in military spending is anticipated only time of danger. The author warns against such idea. The forces must be constantly prepared, ready not to be struck by unexpected state of affairs; e.g. similar to that of the US in 1917. |
Centre of Gravity-the Decisive Operational Concept Part IMilitary artPlk. gšt. Ing. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 14-19 The Centres of Gravity (COG) are characteristics, capabilities, or localities from which a military force derives its freedom of action, physical strength, or will to fight. The COG belongs among the most important operational concepts. It is the main source of power and strength. Without dermining enemy's COG we are not able to carry out any quick and resolute action, to reach ordered tasks, desired objectives. The primary purpose of this article is to offer basic information about this subject. This first part is concentrated predominantly to Carl von Clausewitz's ideas. The article especially aims on disunity and heterogeneity of comprehension of the COG theory in confrontation with contemporary doctrinal publications and original Clausewitz's theory. It highlights coherences that can affect fulfilling political and military objectives in current and future military operations. |
Defence Department and Management by ObjectivesMilitary artPplk. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 25-28 Management by objectives (MBO), first outlined by Peter Drucker in the 1950s, is a systematic and organized approach that allows management to focus on achievable goals and to attain the best possible results from available resources. The tasks are delegated to subordinates without dictating a detailed roadmap for implementation. Everybody within the organization has a clear understanding of the aims, or objectives, as well as awareness of their own roles and responsibilities in achieving those aims. In the U. S. Army, MBO was implemented into The Army Plan FY 2000-2015, with 789 operational capabilities, divided into 1,248 operational standards, but without demonstrable success, as the system worked rather formally; it was too complicated. The same was true in the Czech Army, where e.g. The Set of Objectives till 2005 came into existence in 1991. The author tries to explain why. He concludes that MBO can be a useful management tool in the army environment, but it should not be realized without proper understanding this process. |
Reflective Principles and Teaching Foreign LanguagesLanguage preparationKpt. Ing. Petra Vráblíková, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 121-130 This article deals with the problem of theoretical base of reflective teaching methods and illustrates practical examples and recommendations of experienced language teachers. In detail it explains the structure and principles of this educational concept, and defines differences from regular teaching methods. The authoress explains both teaching and learning through critical reflection practice, how to develop critically engaged learners. She explains how to gather information on students in class in charge, and enumerates questions to be answered. Reflective thinking by means of feedback enriches both students and teachers. "Reflective" teachers are able to monitor, criticize and defend their own activities, planning, implementation and assessment language programmes and instructions. fl |
Decision-Making in Commander's PracticeMilitary professionalIng. Hubert Štofko, prof. Ing. František Mazánek, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 131-135 The act of making up commander's mind is one of most important roles of leaders/managers. The science of managing or controlling ought to be employed even in everyday life of the military. The skilful or resourceful use of materials, time, etc. are the main characteristics of command and control. The purpose of this article is to outline connections in management theory, namely managerial posts, coupled with command. How we can use management theory in shooting drills or marksmanship theory in commander's decisionmaking. The authors explain sequential managerial functions, planning, organizing, staffing, analysis and their implementation into shooting practice. The article is accompanied by several schemes. This exercise can be also used in modelling of combat clashes, as a part of simulations in computers and as a factor of the professional preparation of servicemen. |
Recruitment Process in Time of Impending Danger or WarMilitary professionalMjr. Ing. Milan ŽilínekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 136-144 One of most important tasks of the Army of the Czech Republic is the preparation for country defence, be prepared to defend the republic against attacks from outside, with the use of Allied defence system. The core of manning in time of danger or war is recruitment of all people coming under compulsory conscription and those with the duty of extra service. Even though the compulsory military service (national service) was abolished in 2004 and the ACR became fully professionalized, Czech population is obliged to conscription/draft. All men/women over the age of 18 till 60 could be conscripted. The difference is that this legal obligation is realized only after the government has proclaimed the state of danger or declares war. This selection, namely the activities of recruiting boards, must be prepared well ahead, in time of peace, in cooperation with municipal authorities, state and regional administration. The author also deals with ?extra service?, which might come into existence in case we are short of conscripts. |
Wild Cards in the Future Development of Word's Security (Trends till the Year 2040)Nonreviewed - OtherPhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D., PhD. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 3-17 This opening study is written by two authors, members of Centre for Social and Economic Strategies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University Prague, which is an interdisciplinary research and education unit engaged in the development of theory, methodology and practice of exploring possible futures, and the application of analyses and forecasts in decision making. The authors propose to supplement prognostic scenarios by the so-called wild cards that represent something unpredictable, extra players or actors taking part in a global politics. They compare wild cards of 2001 with the present-day situation, and then predict state of affairs till 2040, among others, the islamisation of Europe and hispanisation of the United States. The purpose of this is to promote dialogues between military and security experts, politicians, civil servants, civil sector activists, as well as individual citizens. |
Rationales behind the Development of Anti-Ballistic DefenceOpinions, controversyBc. Tomáš KučeraVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 76-85 Anti-ballistic missiles are missiles designed to counter enemy's ballistic missiles. First, the author compares strategic patterns reflecting various eras of the former bipolar world. Their mutual balance of that time could be described as Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). As long as MAD was a fact of life, the ABM Treaty fulfilled its important function as a cornerstone of strategic stability. Keeping nuclear arsenals at a level which is not even justifiable is selfcontradictory, as the military strategy and targeting policy is based on the capability of the other side, not on its intentions. Today's Russian policy is shaped by the status-driven desire to deal with the United States from a position of power-related symmetry and strategic parity, by negating the unique position of the United States. The American ballistic missile defence policy used to be also a central element of their containment strategy towards China. However, at present, Ballistic Missile Defence (BDM) sets as a top-priory the defence against the so-called rough states, rather than against Moscow or Beijing. |
Legal Aspects of "Consciousness and Religion" Institute in Czech and Greek Law LegislaturesInformational pagesMjr. Ing. Bohuslav Vlček, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 118-124 Manning Czech armed forces in peace, in time of danger or war, are backed by law regulations and DoD internal normative acts. In fact, Czech legislature is still insufficient, so the author advises its revision. Laws concerning defence ought to be timeless, further amendments beg the questions concerning their correctness. When the institute of ?Conscientious Objector? was established in 1990, the figures of soldiers in their compulsory service were reduced by 15-20 % of planned numbers. The membership in an established sect, background as an active pacifist was not required for an objector to be eligible for exemption from military service. Greece (the Hellenic Republic) is one of a few European countries still preserving the compulsory military service for all Greek young men even in time of peace. As conscientious objectors are not regarded those who served in armed forces in the past, who are legally entitled to own a deadly weapon, or were prosecuted or sentenced for an offence tied with arms. The author suggests adopting similar arrangements like in Greece. |
The Centre of Gravity is a Cause, "Matter", not the PeopleInformational pagesVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 125-128 As the military's current fight against terrorists and insurgents does not follow the templates of the past, it requires innovative, adaptive thinking. This article summarises the main ideas of the essay "We the People are not the Center of Gravity in an Insurgency" by Maj. Mark P. Krieger, published in Military Review No. 4, 2007. A COG could be characterized as a source of power from which a military force derives its freedom of action, physical strength, will to act. The definition is important namely when military planners try to identify enemy COGs. There is a single COG at the operational level; the tactical level of war has decisive points. COGs organize and direct critical capabilities, physical or psychological. An insurgency's case is its strategic COG, its organization is operational COG, and the people are a decisive point at the tactical level. The population is important in an insurgency, because the people are a tangible to target, but it is not a COG. Attacking an insurgency?s organization will weaken the strategic COG that becomes vulnerable to attack and destruction. |
Local Wars 1996 and Tension Epicentres 2007 (Book Review and Comparative Study)Book reviewPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 189-195 The author compares two scholarly books: World's Tension Epicentres by M. Šlachta (published in 2007) and Security Policy of the Czech Republic by the team of authors headed Jaroslav Janda. The latter study of 1996 uses different terminology: instead of today's favourite teams threat or security threats, they are civilizational risks, economical risks, military risks, environmental risks and so on. The special attention is paid to undemocratic, autocratic states, violating humane rights. Those who owned nuclear weapons are regarded as especially dangerous to peace. Those risks have multiplications effects, they could be solved only by collective effort of all interested states. The recent history confirms predictions made by the team of Jaroslav Janda. The analysis by Mojmír Šlachta contributes to deeper understanding present state of affairs, among others it covers rising Islamic word. |
How Much We do Really Need (Money for National Defence)? (Reflections over the book that is not aging)Book reviewMjr. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 196-199 This book written by Alain C. Enthoven, and K. Wayne Smith, was published some forty years ago, but its leading ideas do not grow old. It is a work of enduring value and listing relevance, this book is both a classic account of the application of powerful ideas to the problem of managing the U.S. Ministry of Defence (DoD) and a cautionary history of the controversies inspired by that successful effort ...206 Defence secretary Robert S. Namara's device was a new system for allocation defence resources, the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS). Most of those decisions are taken as bedrock defence policy today, and the methods have become embedded ad the DoD's approach to defining and resolving issues. According to the author of this article, this book ought to be the inspiration even for our Ministry of Defence in its effort to save restricted means and at the same time to increase Czech military capabilities. |
Continuous Assessment of Students in Language Preparation at the Defence University BrnoLanguage preparationPhDr. Mária Šikolová, CSc., PhDr. Eva Složilová, MAVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 114-117 The academic year 2006-2007 is an important milestone for the Defence University, as the freshmen are asked to have relatively high entry knowledge of English language. The concept of English entry tests had to be changed, i.e. entry tests are at the level STANAG 6001 SLP 2. For practical purposes, speaking and writing knowledge of all applicants can't by tested, therefore new test patterns cover only listening and reading (level SLP 2). This represents an extra burden for the staff of the Centre of Language Preparation, influencing language training and testing. The new curriculum was formed, accredited in UNIcert system. It has been implemented for students in the first grade of the Faculty of Military Technologies. This curriculum reflects speaking knowledge at the level STANAG 6001 SLP 3333 and opens the road to European Certificate of English Language. |
Wars of the New Millennium (Informative Review)Book reviewPhDr. A. RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 141-142 The Slovak author Štefan Volner wrote a book called The Wars of the 21st Century (Zvolen 2007). After the break-up of common Czechoslovak state we promised each other that the relations between Czechs and Slovaks will not change, but after fifteen years we see that we are really departed, when speaking about Slovak home policy, about Slovak security questions, its army. Štefan Volner who often publishes in the review Vojenské rozhledy helps to cover this gap and thus our military public can follow his scholarly works dealing with security and defence. In reviewed book he enumerates the causes of 21st century wars and analyses four basic paradigms: civilizational; Toffler's third wave; realistic approach; and finally thermodynamics, dealing with non-linear causes of war. Asymmetric wars came into existence as the roots of wars are asymmetric. It is not difficult to win the war, but more difficult is to guarantee post-war reconstruction. |
Colonel William Kauders, M.C. (ret.) - Navigator of the 311 Bomber Squadron, RAFPersonal dataPlk. v.v. Petr MajerVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 143-145 He was born in 1910, during his military service he became a reserve officer. After 1938 he left the former Czechoslovakia, and after a long and complicated journey through the Balkan states, after being arrested for illegal crossing Palestinian borders, in 1940 he joined the Czechoslovak army in the Middle East. He was appointed the commander of a reserve officer platoon. He hold several positions, among others he led 12 patrols in enemy's areas. As the British Royal Air Force suffered heavy losses, Czech soldiers were called up to join the Air Force. He became a member of 311 bomber squadron, in 1943 he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force, Newfoundland, to guard sea convoys, next he was transferred to the Bahamas, then back to 311 bomber sq in Scotland, where he patrolled around the seashores, till the end of war. He reached the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Captain). He was awarded the Military Cross and other orders and medals. As an airman from the West, because his wife was of German origin, he was forced to leave his native country again. Even though his beginnings were hard, he established his own company in the USA. He is still very busy and takes part in many projects tied with activities of Czech army abroad. |
Security Future within the Foreign Policy Context (Risky 21st Century)Reviewed - ResearchPhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 3-24 The subject of this comprehensive study: the main features of global risk society can be embodied by ecology crises, global financial crises, threat of terrorism. The article is presented as a report to military community and audience, with the underlying focus on terrorism. The author is mapping the global future in the first two decades of this century. As a small country we must pay attention to the developments in the worlds leading powers: the U.S., China, Russia, last but not least, within the EU. Those themes also present individual headings of this study. He treats energy, demography, peace, security, good neighbourly relations, cooperation between states that are most desirable goals we want to reach. In a way, as the main actor of worlds security situation till 2020 is identified Islamist terrorism (radical Islamists, Al Qaeda). At the end Mr. Balabán recalls the former "Security Policy of the Czech Republic" released ten years ago, reminding us the necessity to be prepared for the worst scenarios. |
Projektove rizeni v akvizici vyzbrojeProf. Ing. Jaroslav Komárek, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2005, Vol. XIV. (XLVI.): 11-25 |
Pouziti strediska CIMIC/PSYOPSPodplukovník Ing. Jaroslav MoravčíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2005, Vol. XIV. (XLVI.): 100-114 |
Zamysleni nad bezpecnostnim vyvojem ve vztahu k Ceske republiceIng. Antonín Krásný, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2005, Vol. XIV. (XLVI.): 3-14 |
Dusledna reforma nemeckych ozbrojenych silVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2003, Vol. XII. (XLIV.): 100-117 |
Ochrana vod v armadach NATO a PfPPlukovník prof. Ing. Aleš Komár, CSc., Ing. Dana PavlíkováVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2003, Vol. XII. (XLIV.): 156-164 |
The Russian Position and its Development 2020-2050 (Critical Study)Informational pagesPhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 55-69 The return of Russia as a power that begins again to partake in political agenda of present-day world raises the necessity to reflect its inner developments in the background of its recent history. There are six key factors that substantionally influence the position of Russia in the world: large sources of raw materials (pipelines); outstanding military capacities (the world's second nuclear potential); high level of general education; wide scientific and research base; permanent membership in UN Security Council and in the Group of Eight (G-8); deciding influence in the near neighbourhood. The study comes to the conclusion that Russia-in the horizon of 2020-will belong among world's leading actors, together with the US, the EU, China, and Islamic world. Russia will be able to of enforce its foreign and security goals, both in post-Soviet areas and in key regions in Europe, Asia and in the Great Near East. As such, it will probably get into conflict with the US. The priority tasks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will rest on maintaining nuclear parity with the US and building capacities for asymmetrical operations. |
The Change of Legislative Conditions of Existence and Activity of Military IntelligenceInformational pagesPodplukovník Ing. Libor Kutěj, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 70-80 In view of the fact of recent transitions in the Czech Republic, the Czech military must satisfy a large set of new requirements, including those tied with military defence intelligence. The article examines the key legislative changes under Acts No. 153/1994, No. 289/2005, No. 290/2005 and their actual implementation, linked with various stages of political and strategical management. There is no flawless pattern for military intelligence community. It is influenced by many circumstances: history, traditions, state of affairs. The author does not want to criticize today's model, organizational changes. Present-day establishment is integrated, which has certain advantages and some benefits, e.g. after 9/11 2001 American intelligence services were criticized for their insufficient integration. Adopted laws and rules, instruments for optimalization of present security system of the Czech Republic, are outlined on the basis of Table Supplement "Information on the Results of Czech Security System", www.mvcr.cz. |
Will the Economy, Effectiveness and Efficiency Get Ahead in Defence Sector?Nonreviewed - ResearchIng. Jiří DušekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 87-103 Those three E are much in use both in official documents and mass media. Dozens of defence officials use them every day, but actual outputs present that they do not know the key essence of 3E, or they are not aware of how to put them into practice. This article would like to help them to make understand the practical application of basic principles of 3E in practise. The reason of this gap, according to the author, lies in insufficient ties between theoretical and executive spheres of defence sector. |
Security in the Year 2020 with the Prospects to 2050 (Summary of Security Community Views) - Part OneMilitary sociologyPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 121-138 Summary of Security Com174 munity Views - Part One. Despite the fact that most of the predictions made in the early 20th century did not realized, there are still plenty of arguments for drawing security prognoses as the only method assessing synthetic alternatives of future progress. The future is not unequivocally determined, as the all comprising development is strongly influenced by subjective motives. We must have scenarios upon which we can act, operate, namely in the field of security. The government ought to set clearly our security agenda, where and why we are going to make possible military engagement. All further actions are developing from those prognoses, i.e. buying tanks, helicopters, parachutes, armoured vehicles, etc. The first part of this security study covers several predictions containing even some controversial visions. They are based upon the opinion survey done among members of Czech military community. The field of investigation comprises EU, US, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Africa, Asia, even hypothetic Russia-China conflict, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and the like. |

