Book excerpt: The Navy Operations & Planning SMARTbook outlines the Navy operational-level fundamentals, command, control, and organization. It is also a bridge between the theory of operational art and the practical specific guidance that Navy commanders and staffs require to accomplish their mission. It is prepared to complement existing joint and Navy doctrine and provides a general guide to the application of command at the operational level of war and the staff organization and functionality required to support the operational commander. The U.S. Navy is an instrument of national power, employed to prevent conflict and, if necessary, prevail in war. It is organized, trained and equipped primarily to fight at and from the sea and to influence events on land. Unlike the other components of the joint force, the maritime component routinely conducts operations across all of the domains, described as air, land, maritime, space, and the information environment. *** Find the latest edition of this book and the rest of our series of military reference SMARTbooks at the publishers website: www.TheLightningPress.com ***