2-10. The five types of information in Army doctrine represent a set of guidelines or tools that can be combined in an almost infinite set of combinations to accomplish missions. Using the same approach or the same set of tools consistently often makes operations predictable, providing an enemy with valuable insights into methods to defeat a particular approach. The application of doctrine requires creative thinking. Doctrine is much more about knowing how to think about the conduct of operations than it is about what to think. Doctrine is a starting point for determining how to accomplish missions and how to adjust and react to changing circumstances. Applied blindly, it becomes a straightjacket. Applied with judgment, it allows commanders and staffs to take advantage of the collected wisdom of the profession.