I am sure we still have such a plan, and one for the invasion of Samoa. We have “contingency” plans for any situation that might come up, possibly one for responding to an invasion of little green men. It is not silliness. We never know whence trouble might come and we have to have some plan in place in order to move very quickly. Such plans typically fall to pieces once there is engagement but they make a rapid start possible.
“I am sure we still have such a plan, and one for the invasion of Samoa.”
Junior Officers need to learn what is good strategy and what’s not. It doesn’t matter whether the country being planned for is friend or foe since it’s primarily for practice and building competence. Patton had already made plans for the Battle of the Bulge before it became necessary. Since the plan existed, he implemented it immediately.
A dumb idea by a Lieutenant might turn out to be groundbreaking.