In military terms, Friction is defined as:

• A. A minor delay due to paperwork
• B. Any impediment to a commander's ability to wage war
• C. The friction of moving heavy equipment
• D. An obstacle caused by strategic resignation

Answer: (B)

Friction in military thinking is the natural resistance that turns planned actions into harder work in practice. It encompasses the wide range of unpredictable obstacles that disrupt execution—bad weather, difficult terrain, fatigue, faulty communications, supply delays, mistakes, and the enemy’s actions. Because of this broad reality, the best description is that friction is any impediment to a commander’s ability to wage war. It captures that plans rarely unfold exactly as intended and must adapt to changing, messy conditions. The other options are too narrow or incorrect: a minor delay due to paperwork is just one small hurdle; the friction of moving heavy equipment is a single example; and an obstacle caused by strategic resignation isn’t a recognized concept in this context.