The United States Marine Corps is the largest such force on the planet, and yet it is the smallest, most elite section of the U.S. military, one with a long and storied history. This classic 1940 official government report, created by the Corps, laid the groundwork for the "small wars" fought by the United States in the post-World War II era, and has been used to strategize the American occupation of Iraq in the early 21st century. ¿ What is a small war? ¿ What is the nature of operations for such a conflict? ¿ What kind of staffing does a small war require? ¿ What logistical and training issues need to be taken into account? ¿ What is the importance of neutral zones? ¿ How do tactics differ in a small war? ¿ How should an occupying force disarm a civilian population? ¿ and more Military buffs, wargamers, and anyone seeking to understand fundamental military strategy will find this a fascinating and informative document.