According to the doctrinal dilemma, the construction of military doctrines is challenging. Either the doctrines become too explicit and specific or they become too abstract for the target groups, both of which have negative consequences. The purpose of this study is to examine to what extent the dilemma exists and how it is taken into consideration in the doctrinal development process. In order to analyse the dilemma, two Swedish doctrines have been reviewed and their authors interviewed.   The results indicates that the doctrinal dilemma has had a central role in the doctrinal development process of both doctrines. The authors have handled the dilemma through constructing abstract rather than specific doctrines. The study also reveals that it is necessary that doctrines are consistently formulated and that the users are acquainted with the style of the doctrine. The dissertation contributes with an increased understanding of the dilemma, facilitating the construction of doctrines and enabling that they can serve as force multipliers.