NAVY WARFARE DEVELOPMENT COMMAND
Doctrine
Doctrine Defined
• Doctrine.  Fundamental principles by which the military forces or elements thereof guide their actions in support of national objectives. It is authoritative but requires judgment in application. 
–JP 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
LCDR Knox, Article Naval Institute Proceedings, 1915
Doctrine.  The object of military doctrine is to furnish a basis for prompt and harmonious conduct by the subordinate commanders of a large military force, in accordance with the intentions of the commander-in-chief, but without the necessity for referring each decision to superior authority before action is taken.