Doctrinally, a UW campaign is structured into seven distinct stages:
: The armed, militarized component that conducts overt combat.
Unlike conventional warfare, which involves direct confrontation between states using standard weapons, UW operates "through or with" local forces. It relies heavily on , subversion, and guerrilla warfare. The Seven Phases of UW
: Psychological and physical steps to ready a population for resistance.
: A cellular organization that operates in areas controlled by the enemy, handling intelligence, sabotage, and propaganda.
A successful UW effort typically involves three main organizational elements:
: Establishing ties with resistance groups or governments-in-exile.