Mission Planning

Question 1

Step 1. Receipt of Mission

Answer 1

1) Alert the Staff and other key participants
a) Move to planning area
b) Ensure that each staff section gets their portion of the order

2) Gather the tools
a) Receive the in-brief (OPORD, mission tasking or guidance)
b) Get a copy of all orders and references

3) Update running estimates
4) Conduct Initial Assessment. How much time is needed to complete planning?

5) Issue Commander’s initial guidance
a) Issue Timeline
b) Review all critical information available at this time

6) Issue the Initial Warning Order
a) May be verbal
b) Ensure that all understand the Commander’s Intent two levels up

Question 2

Step 2. Mission Analysis
2) Perform Initial Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)

Too Long, Full IPB is missing from this card
4 Steps.

I put the main topics on the card

Answer 2

2) Perform Initial Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) (4 Steps)
a) Define the Operational Environment (Step 1 of IPB)
b) Analyze the Environmental Effects on Operations (Step 2 of IPB)
c) Evaluate the Threat (Step 3 of IPB)-How does the enemy conduct operations under similar circumstances (normal day-to-day activities)?
d) Determine the Threat COAs (Step 4 of IPB). These are the two Enemy COAs that will be wargamed in Step 4 COA Analysis.

Question 3

Step 2. Mission Analysis

3) Determine Specified, Implied, and Essential Tasks

Answer 3

a) Specified Tasks-Tasks that are specifically assigned to the unit
b) Implied Tasks-Tasks that are not specifically stated in the order, but must be accomplished to satisfy the overall mission or any specified tasks

Question 4

Step 2. Mission Analysis

4) Review available assets and identify resource shortfalls

Answer 4

a) Include a review of possible attachments, detachments, and supporting elements available to conduct the mission. Examples include-
(1) SOT-A
(2) SOT-B
(3) TACP
(4) CCT
(5) JTAC
(6) Intelligence assets
(7) Special Operations Weather Team
(8) Rotary and fixed wing aviation
(9) Fire support and platforms
(10) Waterborne platforms
(11) Civilian agencies
b) Special equipment necessary to accomplish the mission
(1) If the unit doesn’t have it, ask for it
(2) Prioritize and distinguish mission essential equipment

Question 5

Step 2. Mission Analysis

5) Determine constraints. Constraints are factors that restrict freedom of action.

Answer 5

a) Requirements
(1) Instructions that the unit must comply with
(2) Similar to Specified Tasks
(3) Examples include-
(a) Ensure the SOTF receives collected PIRs NLT DTG
(b) Establishing communications with the SOTF once per day
(c) Determine suitable PRI and ALT DZs
b) Prohibitions
(1) Things that the unit is not authorized and cannot do
(2) Examples include-
(a) Do not execute an attack without an execute order from the SOTF
(b) Do not conduct cross-border operations
(c) Do not cause collateral damage to the hydroelectric dam

Question 6

Step 2. Mission Analysis

6) Identify critical facts and develop assumptions

Answer 6

a) Facts-What is true or thought to be true at the time
(1) Known data concerning the situation and enemy and friendly dispositions

(2) Pertinent information that assists in making a decision
b) Assumptions- A supposition on the current situation or a presupposition on the future course of events, either or both assumed to be true in the absence of positive proof.
(1) Used in the absence of facts to facilitate continued planning
(2) Submit an RFI for every assumption that is valid and necessary

Question 7

Step 2. Mission Analysis

7) Begin composite risk management

Answer 7

a) Initial assessment of operational risk
(1) Risk to the mission (success)
(2) Risk to the force (personnel and critical equipment)
b) Identify risk by each phase of the operation
(1) Areas presenting risk are identified and eliminated, reduced, or justified
(2) If unable to operate within risk guidance, must be addressed to higher

Question 8

Step 2. Mission Analysis
8) Develop Initial Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIR) and Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI)

Answer 8

a) Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)-Collect
(1) Critical information the commander needs to accomplish the mission
(2) PIR directly related to mission accomplishment
(3) Must pass the following requirements-
(a) Someone must be specifically responsible for answering it
(b) It must be collectable
(c) It must be tied to a friendly action or decision
(4) Examples include-
(a) The location of US prisoners
(b) The goals and priorities of a guerilla force
b) Friendly Forces Information Requirements (FFIR)
(1) Information requirements that pertain to friendly forces prior to and during mission execution
(2) Higher command will use this information to make appropriate decisions and maintain situational awareness
(3) Examples include-
(a) Code words sent during the mission
(b) Troops in Contact or mission compromise
(c) Friendly WIA or KIA
c) Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI)-Protect
(1) Information given special emphasis or security measures to protect friendly forces
(2) Normally protected by compartmentalization or need-to-know basis
(3) May allow staff to begin planning for military deception or OPSEC

Question 9

Step 2. Mission Analysis

9) Develop Initial Reconnaissance and Surveillance Synchronization Tools

Answer 9

a) Assess and adjust R&S activities as required
b) Ensure that the commander’s requirements drive R&S activities in time to influence decisions and operations
c) Synchronization includes organic, adjacent, or higher assets, RFIs, and intel reach that answer the CCIR
d) During R&S synchronization-
(1) Identify requirements and intel gaps
(2) Evaluate available assets (internal and external) to collect information
(3) Determine gaps in the use of those assets
(4) Recommends those reconnaissance and surveillance assets controlled by the organization to collect on the IRs.
(5) Submits requests for information for adjacent and higher collections support
(6) Submits information gathered during reconnaissance and surveillance synchronization to the S-3 (J-3) for integrating and developing the reconnaissance and surveillance plan

Question 10

Step 2. Mission Analysis

10) Develop Initial Reconnaissance and Surveillance Plan

Answer 10

a) The S-3 can lead the staff through R&S integration to task available assets to satisfy IRs
b) The initial R&S synch plan is crucial to begin or adjust the collection effort to help answer IRs.
c) This is not normally done at the ODA level, however, based on the initial IPB and CCIR, the ODA can identify intel gaps and submit RFIs
d) ODAs can develop internal collection plan for collection efforts on the ground

Question 11

Step 2. Mission Analysis

11) Update Plan for the Use of Available Time

Answer 11

a) As more information becomes available, refine the initial plan for the use of available time
b) Create schedule based on “backward planning”
c) Ensure that the timeline includes-
(1) Subject, time, and location of briefings
(2) Times for collaborative planning sessions
(3) Time, locations, and forms of rehearsals

Question 12

Step 2. Mission Analysis

12) Develop initial information themes and messages

Answer 12

a) Faced with the many different actors (individuals, organizations, and publics) that are connected with the operations, commanders identify and engage those actors that matter most to their operational success
b) The S-7 develops initial information themes and messages for the unit and prepares to transmit these themes and messages to those key actors or the public whose perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors matter to the success of the operation
c) The S-7 will-
(1) Review the higher headquarters’ information themes and messages
(2) Review military information support operations approval guidelines
(3) Review internal design products, including the initial commander’s intent, mission narrative, and planning guidance
(4) Refine information themes and planning guidance as staffs develop, evaluate, and decide COAs

Question 13

Step 2. Mission Analysis
13) Develop a proposed Problem Statement. Identify the right problem to solved by conducting the mission, and describe it clearly

Answer 13

a) Compare the current situation to the desired end state

b) Brainstorm and list issues that impede the Commander from achieving the desired end state

Question 14

Step 2. Mission Analysis

14) Develop a proposed Mission Statement

Answer 14

a) Must emphasize the single task and purpose for the mission
b) Must be linked (nested) to achieving or supporting the higher headquarters’ commander’s intent: purpose
c) Who, what, where, when, why

Question 15

Step 2. Mission Analysis

15) Present the Mission Analysis briefing

Answer 15

a) This is an informal and internal IPR. The goal is to get everyone up to date on the information to really begin the planning.
b) Ensures that the unit is going to begin mission planning from a common point and shared understanding of requirements.
c) The format for this briefing should include-
(1) Mission and Commander’s Intent of the headquarters 2 levels up
(2) Mission, Commander’s Intent, and concept of the operation of the headquarters 1 level up
(3) Review the SOTF Commander’s initial guidance
(4) Review initial IPB products
(5) Review Specified, Implied, and Essential Tasks
(6) Review pertinent Facts and Assumptions
(7) Review Constraints
(8) Review forces available and resource shortfalls
(9) Initial Risk Assessment

(10) Proposed information themes and messages
(11) Proposed CCIRs and EEFIs
(12) Initial Reconnaissance and surveillance plan
(13) A proposed Problem Statement
(14) A proposed Mission Statement
(15) Recommended timeline

Question 16

Step 2. Mission Analysis

16) Develop and Issue Initial Commander’s Intent

Answer 16

a) Clear, concise statement
b) For SFWOAC, this will be written in paragraph form
c) Broken down to Expanded Purpose, Key Tasks, and Endstate

Question 17

Step 2. Mission Analysis

17) Develop and Issue Initial Planning Guidance

Answer 17

a) Commander provides initial planning guidance
b) Commander can add focus to things that he wants the staff to consider
(1) How the staff will continue into COA development
(2) The number of planning cells to be formed and who will be in these cells
(3) How the staff will generate options for different COAs, usually with a time cut off for how long the staff will spend generating options
(4) Additional information that the commander wants the staff to consider
(5) The time plan

Question 18

Step 2. Mission Analysis

18) Develop Course of Action (COA) Evaluation Criteria

Answer 18

a) Must pertain to the mission and is drawn from the commander’s guidance
b) Evaluation criteria address factors that affect success and those that can cause failure
c) These are the standards the commander and staff will later use to measure the relative effectiveness and efficiency of one COA relative to another COA.
d) May be weighted based on their relative importance to the mission
e) Examples include-
(1) Mission command
(2) Security
(3) Survivability
(4) Simplicity
(5) Flexibility
(6) Speed
(7) Redundancy
(8) Logistically sustainable

Question 19

Step 2. Mission Analysis

19) Issue a Warning Order

Answer 19

a) Only needs to be issued if attachments, subordinate, or supporting units are not present.
b) At a minimum, it should contain:
(1) Approved Mission Statement
(2) Commander’s Intent
(3) Changes to Task Organization
(4) Unit AO
(5) CCIRs and EEFIs
(6) Risk guidance

Question 20

Step 2. Mission Analysis

1) Analyze the Higher Headquarters’ Plan or Order

Answer 20

a) Commander’s Intent two levels up
b) Mission & Success criteria
c) CONOPs
d) Available assets and timeline
e) Missions of-
(1) Adjacent, supporting, and supported units
(2) Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, Multinational (JIIM), and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that work in the AO
f) Abort Criteria
g) E&R Criteria(establish areas for phasing and transitions to include AO boundaries)
h) Risk Guidance
i) Any other factors given

Question 21

Step 3. Course of Action Development

Answer 21

All COAs must meet the following criteria:
• Suitable
a) Does it accomplish the mission?
b) Does it achieve the Commander’s Intent and planning guidance?

• Feasible

a) Is the unit capable and trained of doing the mission?
b) Can it be accomplished within the established time, space, and resources?
c) Does the unit require special skills?

• Acceptable

a) Do benefits outweigh the risk?
b) Is it legal?
c) Does it violate any of the higher commander’s prohibitions or requirements?

• Complete

a) Does it have stand-alone graphics?
b) Does it cover all phases of the operation?
c) Does it contain all elements of the COA?
(1) Task organization
(2) Commander’s intent
(3) Concept of the operation
(4) Critical sustainment requirements
(5) Concept of communications
(6) Are the correct graphics depicted?
(7) How does the decisive operation lead to mission accomplishment?
(8) How do shaping operations create and preserve conditions for success of the decisive operation?
(9) How do sustaining operations enable shaping and decisive operations or efforts?
(10) What tasks need to be performed and what conditions need to be achieved?

• Distinguishable

a) Is there a significant difference between COAs (scheme of maneuver, lines of effort, phasing, use of the reserve, task organization)?
b) Examples include-
(1) SR: split team(s), static surveillance positions, mobile recon positions, number of positions/recon teams, use of SOT-A teams.
(2) DA: insert onto target versus away from target, use of standoff weapons (sniper systems, TGO, CAS, etc.), use of demolitions/placement, number of assault teams, use of indigenous forces or personnel, sabotage, etc.
(3) FID: committee versus platoon trainers, split detachment operations, use of multiple training sites, etc.
(4) UW: train all guerillas versus creating a guerilla training cadre, use multiple training sites versus a fixed point, separate training camps and operational camps, etc.

Question 22

Step 3. Course of Action Development

1) Assess relative combat power

Answer 22

a) Only if the unit intends to confront the enemy
b) Compare friendly strengths against enemy weaknesses, and vice versa. This comparison allows planners to gain insight into:
(1) Friendly capabilities that pertain to the mission
(2) The types of operations possible from both friendly and enemy perspective
(3) How and where the enemy may be vulnerable
(4) How and where friendly forces may be vulnerable
(5) Additional resources needed to execute the mission
(6) How to allocate existing resources

Question 23

Step 3. Course of Action Development

2) Generate options

Answer 23

a) Open-minded and unbiased brainstorming

b) Must determine doctrinal requirements and tasks for each proposed operation

Question 24

Step 3. Course of Action Development

3) Array Forces.

Answer 24

Determine the combat power required to accomplish each task (decisive operation, shaping operation, stability operation)

Question 25

Step 3. Course of Action Development

4) Develop a broad concept

Answer 25

a) Expresses the how of the commander’s visualization and eventually provides the framework for the concept of the operation
b) Contributions from all of the Warfighting Functions (WFF) will generate combat power. Combat power is the total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit/formation can apply at a given time. Army forces generate combat power by converting potential into effective action)
c) A WFF is a group of tasks and systems (people, organizations, information, and processes) united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish missions and training objectives. WWF consist of;
(1) Mission Command
(2) Movement and maneuver
(3) Fires
(4) Intelligence
(5) Sustainment
(6) Protection
d) Army forces use the WFF to, but not limited to:
(1) Purpose of the operation
(2) A statement of where the commander will accept risk
(3) Identification of critical friendly elements and transitions between phases
(4) Designation of the decisive operation, along with its task and purpose, linked to how it supports the higher headquarters’ concept
(5) Designation of shaping operations, along with its task and purpose, linked to how they support the decisive operation
(6) Designation of sustaining operations, along with their task and purpose, linked to how they support the decisive and shaping operations
(7) Designation of the reserve, including its location and composition
(8) Reconnaissance and security operations
(9) Essential stability tasks
(10) Identification of maneuver options that may develop during an operation
(11) Assignment of subordinate AOs
(12) Scheme of fires
(13) Information themes, messages, and means of delivery
(14) Military deception operations
(15) Key control measures

Question 26

Step 3. Course of Action Development

5) Assign Headquarters

Answer 26

a) Create a task organization by assigning headquarters to groupings of forces
b) Task Organize
(1) How many personnel to take on the mission
(2) Consider all assets
(3) Can be organized along the lines of main effort, surveillance, sustainment, security, MSS

Question 27

Step 3. Course of Action Development

6) Prepare COA Statements and Sketches

Answer 27

a) Should all be in the same format, so they start from common ground and look relatively the same
b) COA should consist of what, where, when, why, and how

Question 28

Step 3. Course of Action Development

7) Conduct a COA briefing

Answer 28

a) After developing COAs, the staff briefs them to the commander
b) The briefing will include:
(1) An updated IPB
(2) Possible enemy COAs
(3) The approved problem statement and mission statement
(4) The commander’s and higher commander’s intents
(5) COA statements and sketches, including lines of effort if used
(6) The rationale for each COA, including:

(a) Considerations that might affect enemy COAs
(b) Critical events for each COA
(c) Deductions resulting from the relative combat power analysis
(d) The reason units are arrayed as shown on the sketch
(e) The reason the staff used the selected control measures
(f) The impact on civilians
(g) How it accounts for minimum essential stability tasks
(h) Updated facts and assumptions
(i) Refined COA evaluation criteria

Question 29

Step 3. Course of Action Development
8) Select or Modify Courses of Action for Continued Analysis. The Commander selects or modifies COA for continued analysis.

Answer 29

a) Commander may create a new COA by incorporating elements of one or more COAs developed by the staff
b) The staff prepares to war-game selected COA
c) Commander issues planning guidance. Incorporate any changes or modifications that the Commander makes to the plan and ensure that the staff fully understands the changed COA
d) If the Commander rejects all COAs, then the staff begins again

Question 30

Step 4. Course of Action Analysis and War-Gaming

1) General War-Gaming Rules

Answer 30

a) Remain objective, do not allow personality or the sense of “what the commander wants” to influence the war game
b) Avoid defending a COA just because you personally developed it
c) Record advantages and disadvantages of each COA accurately as they emerge
d) Continually assess feasibility, acceptability, and suitability of each COA. If a COA fails any of these tests, reject it.
e) Avoid drawing premature conclusions and gathering facts to support conclusions
f) Avoid comparing one COA with another during the war game. This occurs during COA comparison.

Question 31

Step 4. Course of Action Analysis and War-Gaming

2) Analyze COA

Answer 31

a) Determine how to maximize the effects of combat power while protecting friendly forces and minimizing collateral damage
b) Further develop a visualization of the operation
c) Anticipate operational events
d) Determine conditions and resources required for success
e) Determine when and where to apply force capabilities
f) Identify coordination needed to produce synchronized results
g) Determine the most flexible COA
h) Shortcomings and disadvantages may appear
a) Remain objective
b) Record advantages and disadvantages
c) Continue to assess feasibility, acceptability and sustainability
i) Avoid drawing premature conclusions and gathering facts to support each conclusion
a) Analyze each COA independently
b) Do not compare one COA to another

Question 32

Step 4. Course of Action Analysis and War-Gaming

3) War-game

Answer 32

a) Must cover each phase of the operation
b) Must integrate operations with intelligence results
c) Consists of action/reaction/counteraction
d) Chief of Staff acts as facilitator, identifies critical events in the operation and lists them as the unit’s action
e) S-2 serves as the enemy commander

Question 33

Step 4. Course of Action Analysis and War-Gaming
4) The Process

Lot’s of sketches and diagrams

Answer 33

a) Gather the tools
(1) Running estimates
(2) Event templates
(3) A recording method
(4) Completed COAs, including graphics
(5) A means to post or display enemy and friendly unit symbols and other organizations
(6) A map of the AO
b) List all friendly forces
c) List assumptions
d) List known critical events and decision points
e) Select the wargaming method

Question 34

Step 5. Course of Action Comparison

1) Conduct Advantages and Disadvantages Analysis

Answer 34

a) All staff members analyze and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each COA from their own perspective.
b) Each staff section presents their findings for each others’ consideration.
c) Using the evaluation criteria developed before the war game, the staff outlines each COA, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages.

Question 35

Step 5. Course of Action Comparison

2) Compare Courses of Action

Answer 35

a) The most common technique is the Decision Matrix.
b) The Decision Matrix is a tool that uses the evaluation criteria developed during mission analysis, refined during COA development, or modified through war gaming.
c) The process is highly subjective.
d) Criteria may be weighted based on subjective determination of their relative value.
e) The lower values signify more favorable advantage, or more simply, the lower the number the more favorable the score.
f) After comparing COAs and assigning values, the staff adds up unweighted and weighted scores in each column.
g) Although the lowest values denote the “best” solution, the process for estimating relative values assigned to criterion and weighting is highly subjective.
h) The “best” COA may not be supportable without additional resources; this enables the decision maker to decide whether to pursue additional support, alter the COA in some way, or determine that it is not feasible.

Question 36

Step 5. Course of Action Comparison

3) Conduct a Course of Action Decision Briefing

Answer 36

a) The staff will review the COA comparison results, identify its preferred COA, and make a recommendation. If the staff cannot reach a decision, the COS decides which COA to recommend. The final decision rests with the Commander.
b) The Commander will either select a COA or decide on conducting further COA development.

Question 37

Step 5. Course of Action Comparison

4) The staff will deliver a Decision Briefing.

Answer 37

The briefing will be either formal or informal, depending on the desire of the commander. The staff will be assembled to answer any questions that the commander may have. For a formal briefing, the entire staff may brief their specialty areas. For an informal brief, usually, only two to three personnel will brief the commander: the S2, S3, and the individual tasked as the primary planner.

Question 38

Step 5. Course of Action Comparison
5) A Sample Format for SFWOAC briefings will include-

A ton of Steps

Answer 38

(1) Orient the map-N, E, S, W
(a) Identify the name and location of the operational area
(b) Identify any international or political borders(indicate if EPA is to cross borders)
(c) Identify the major terrain features (mountains, ranges, rivers)
(d) Identify large populated areas (if needed identify political or ethic/tribal boundaries)

(e) Identify the location of friendly units
(f) Identify the location enemy units (major units). Focus on units that can affect the mission.
(g) Identify any key location of where the unit currently is and where the target is located.

Question 39

Step 6. Course of Action Approval

Answer 39

1) Commander makes a decision.
a) If the commander selects the proposed COA, the commander will issue final planning guidance to best accomplish the mission.
b) If the commander rejects all proposed COAs, the staff starts development again.
c) If the commander modifies a proposed COA, the staff war-games the new COA and presents the new results to the commander with a recommendation.
d) If the commander gives the staff an entirely new COA, the staff war-games the new COA and presents the new results to the commander with a recommendation.

2) Commander issues final planning guidance including acceptable risk
a) At this point, final planning guidance will be given to the staff and the staff will begin to transform the concept into a plan.
b) This will include a refined commander’s intent (if necessary) and CCIRs to support execution of the mission.
c) Will also include any additional guidance.
d) Will include risk that the commander is willing to accept.

3) Issue Warning Order to subordinate headquarters. The Warning Order issued after COA approval normally includes-
a) Mission.
b) Commander’s Intent.
c) Updated CCIRs and EEFIs.
d) Concept of the Operation.
e) The AO.
f) Principal tasks assigned to subordinate units.
g) Preparation and rehearsal instructions not included in unit SOPs.

h) A final timeline for the operation.

Question 40

Step 7. Orders Production

Answer 40

1) Complete the plan and prepare the OPORD
a) The COA statement becomes the concept of the operation for the plan.
b) The COA sketch becomes the basis for the operation overlay.
c) If time permits, the staff may conduct a more detailed war game or the selected COA to more fully synchronize the operation and complete the plan.
d) The staff will write the OPORD with all appropriate attachments (annexes, appendices, tabs, and exhibits). Use the formats found in ATTP 5-0.1, Commander and Staff Officer Guide, for writing all OPORDs, annexes, appendices, tabs, and exhibits.
e) A good OPORD will —
(1) Possess elements of operational art and design
(2) Possess simplicity
(3) Possess authoritative expression
(4) Possess positive expression
(5) Avoid qualified directives
(6) Possess brevity
(7) Possess clarity
(8) Contain assumptions
(9) Incorporate flexibility
(10) Exercise timeliness
(11) Not repeat information found in different paragraphs throughout the OPORD or enclosures (annexes, appendices, tabs, or exhibits)

2) Commander reviews and approves the OPORD
a) The commander will review and approve the order before the staff reproduces and disseminates the order unless the commander has delegated that authority.
b) If possible, the higher command will brief the subordinate commander in person or via VTC.