What principle of war calls for the use of organized forces to gain and maintain an advantage?

The principle of war that emphasizes the use of organized forces to gain and maintain an advantage is the offensive. This principle is fundamentally focused on taking the initiative and dictating the terms of engagement in a conflict. When forces operate offensively, they are proactively seeking to exploit opportunities, create advantages over the adversary, and ultimately achieve objectives that lead to victory.

The offensive allows commanders to shape the battlefield and disrupt enemy plans by conducting maneuvers that place them in a position of strength. By initiating actions, forces aim to seize and maintain the initiative, thereby forcing the enemy to react rather than act, which can lead to disarray and defeat.

While other principles, such as mass, economy of force, and objective, contribute to overall military effectiveness, they do not inherently prioritize the active engagement and momentum associated with the offensive principle. Mass involves concentrating combat power at the decisive point but does not specifically imply taking the initiative. Economy of force focuses on the efficient use of resources, while objective centers around directing efforts toward a clearly defined goal. Each of these principles plays a role in military strategy, but the offensive distinctly encapsulates the aggressive use of forces to secure an advantageous position over the enemy.