War and Risk Management

Abstract

War may be conducted in a successful or unsuccessful way, depending on the fact if the war would or would not be fought in accordance with established plans, methods, rules of the art of warfare and established goal. Modern society aspires to minimize the risk at war – that is to reduce risk to health and life of the soldiers. Risk of death, injuries and damage has always been connected with war. The commanders have been striving to strengthen safety of their soldiers and to limit damage. The aim of the following article is to present that war is not the result of coincidence but the result of factual knowledge which commanders should acquire above all. Commanding at war consists more frequently in management also risk management. The process of risk management in the army includes activities concerning counteracting the risk that may cause injuries, death of soldiers, destruction, damage of weaponry and military equipment. The risk may also have a negative influence on the goal of the conducted mission. In the process of risk management it is not possible to entirely eliminate the risk but it is possible to reduce unacceptable level of the risk.