MOD B - Strategic

Question 1

Identify the Levels of Warfare

Answer 1

Strategic Level, Operational Level, Tactical Level

Question 2

Explain Strategic Level of Warfare

Answer 2

Strategy is a prudent idea or set of ideas for employing the instruments of national power in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater and multinational objectives

Question 3

Explain Operational Level of Warfare

Answer 3

The operational level links strategy and tactics by establishing operational objectives needed to achieve the military end states and strategic objectives

Question 4

Explain Tactical Level of Warfare

Answer 4

Tactics is the employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other. The tactical level of war is where battles and engagements are planned and executed to achieve military objectives assigned to tactical units or joint task forces (JTFs)

Question 5

Explain the President’s authority as the Commander in Chief of the US Military

Answer 5

Article II Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the Commander in Chief clause, states that “[t]he President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.

Question 6

Explain Congress’s authority as it pertains to the US Military

Answer 6

War and Defense Powers. Under Article I, Section 8, Congress has the power to declare war, raise and support Armies, provide and maintain a Navy, and organize, arm, discipline, and call forth a militia. This power gives Congress quite broad authority to undertake any measures that Congress considers necessary for providing for the national defense in both peacetime and wartime. This includes the military draft and selective service systems as well as wage, price, and rent control of the civilian economy during wartime.

Question 7

What is the War Powers Resolution and how did it change the President’s Commander in Chief powers?

Answer 7

War Powers Resolution. After the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon Administrations spent nearly a decade committing U.S. troops to Southeast Asia without Congressional approval, in 1973 Congress responded by passing the War Powers Resolution. The Resolution sought to halt the erosion of Congress’s ability to participate in war-making decisions, an aim furthered by the Resolution’s requirement that the President communicate to Congress the commitment of troops within 48 hours. Further, the statute requires the President to remove all troops after 60 days if Congress has not granted an extension.

Question 8

From which portion of US Code does the US Military derive its authority?

Answer 8

United States Code, Title 10: Armed Forces

Question 9

What are the four different types of US Military command authority?

Answer 9

• Combatant Command authority (COCOM)
• Administrative control (ADCON)
• Operational control (OPCON)
• Tactical control (TACON)

Question 10

Explain Tactical control (TACON)

Answer 10

The authority over forces that is limited to the detailed direction and control of movements or maneuvers within the operational area necessary to accomplish missions or tasks assigned

Question 11

Explain Operational control (OPCON)

Answer 11

The authority to perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission

Question 12

Explain Administrative control (ADCON)

Answer 12

ADCON is the direction or exercise of authority over subordinate or other organizations with respect to administration and support, including organization of Service forces, control of resources and equipment, personnel management, logistics, individual and unit training, readiness, mobilization, demobilization, discipline, and other matters not included in the operational missions of the subordinate or other organizations.

Question 13

Explain Combatant Command authority (COCOM)

Answer 13

Nontransferable command authority, which cannot be delegated, of a combatant commander to perform those functions of command over assigned forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces; assigning tasks; designating objectives; and giving authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics necessary to accomplish the missions assigned to the command.

Question 14

What are the functions of the Department of Defense?

Answer 14

All functions in the Department of Defense (DoD) are performed under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense. As prescribed by higher authority, the Department of Defense shall maintain and use armed forces to:

• Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
• Ensure, by timely and effective military action, the security of the United States, its possessions, and areas vital to its interest.
• Uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the United States.

Question 15

Explain the functions of the Army’s Generating Force

Answer 15

The generating force mans, trains, equips, deploys, and ensures the readiness of all Army forces. The generating force consists of Army organizations whose primary mission is to generate and sustain the operating forces of the Army.

• Recruiting.
• Maintaining.
• Organizing.
• Servicing.
• Supplying.
• Training.
• Mobilizing.
• Demobilizing.
• Administering (including the morale and welfare of personnel).
• Constructing, outfitting, and repairing military equipment.
• Equipping (including research and development).
• Constructing, maintaining, and repairing buildings, structures, and utilities as well as acquiring real property.

Question 16

Explain the functions of the Army’s Operating Force and identify some of its component units

Answer 16

Operating forces consist of units organized, trained, and equipped to deploy and fight. They include about twothirds of the Regular Army, and three-fourths of the Army’s total force. The Secretary of Defense assigns these units to the various combatant commanders. Operating forces are modular. They consist of interchangeable units grouped under various headquarters. When a combatant commander specifies the capabilities needed, the Army provides tailored force packages to provide those capabilities.

• Corps
• Divisions
• Brigade Combat Teams
• Support Brigades
• Functional Brigades
• Special Forces Regiment
• Ranger Regiment

Question 17

How are combatant commands organized?

Answer 17

The President, through SecDef and with the advice and assistance of the CJCS, establishes combatant (unified) commands for the performance of military missions and prescribes the force structure of such commands…CCDRs have responsibility for an AOR or a function (e.g., SO) assigned through the Unified Command Plan (UCP). Functional Combatant Commands (FCCs) support (or can be supported by) Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) or may conduct assigned missions in accordance with the UCP independently.

Question 18

Combatant Commands: Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense, the Commander of a Combatant Command exercises authority, direction, and control over the commands and forces assigned to that command, and regarding the following command functions, shall: (fill in eight answers)

Answer 18

• Give authoritative direction to subordinate commands and forces necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command, including authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics.
• Prescribe the chain of command to the commands and forces within the command.
• Organize commands, and forces within that command, as considered necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
• Employ forces within that command, as considered necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
• Assign command functions to subordinate commanders, as appropriate.
• Coordinate and approve those aspects of administration, support (including control of resources and equipment, internal organization, and training), and discipline necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
• Exercise the authority with respect to selecting subordinate commanders, selecting Combatant Command staff, suspending subordinates, and convening courts-martial.
• Provide support and, if required, transfer forces to other Combatant Commands as directed by the Secretary of Defense.

Question 19

Why is USSOCOM unique in its organization and functions?

Answer 19

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is a unified combatant command (CCMD). It is unique among the CCMDs in that it performs Service-like functions and has Military Department-like responsibilities and authorities. These unique functions, responsibilities, and authorities include USSOCOM performing the functions of programming, budgeting, acquisition, organizing, training, equipping, and providing combat-ready SOF for employment by the CCDRs and developing strategy, doctrine, tactics, and procedures for SOF.

Question 20

Identify the Theater Special Operations Commands

Answer 20

• SOCNORTH
• SOCSOUTH
• SOCEUR
• SOCAF
• SOCCENT
• SOCPAC
• SOCKOR

Question 21

Define the strategic direction of the US Government and explain its purpose

Answer 21

Def: The strategy and intent of the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in pursuit of national interests. The President, with the advice and assistance of the National Security Council and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issues policy and strategic direction to guide the planning efforts of DOD and other USG departments and agencies that represent all of the instruments of national power…Strategic direction and continuous dialogue between senior leaders and planners facilitate an early understanding of the situation, problems, and objectives. The intent is to develop plans that contain military options for the President and SecDef as they seek to shape the environment and respond to contingencies

Question 22

Who is responsible for National Security Strategy (NSS) and what is its purpose?

Answer 22

National Security Strategy (NSS). A document approved by the President of the United States for developing, applying, and coordinating the instruments of national power to achieve objectives that contribute to national security. The NSS is required annually by Title 50, USC, Section 3043. It is prepared by the Executive Branch of the USG for Congress and outlines the major national security concerns of the US and how the administration plans to address them using all instruments of national power. The document is often purposely general in content, and its implementation by DOD relies on elaborating direction provided in supporting documents.

Question 23

Who is responsible for the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and what is its purpose?

Answer 23

National Defense Strategy (NDS). A document approved by the Secretary of Defense for applying the Armed Forces of the United States in coordination with Department of Defense agencies and other instruments of national power to achieve national security strategy objectives. The NDS, signed by the Secretary of Defense, outlines the Department’s approach to implementing the President’s NSS. Congress mandated that the SECDEF write a NDS every four years. Although a classified document, an unclassified summary provides the essence of the strategy.

Question 24

What other documents is issued by the SECDEF in conjunction with the NDS and what is its purpose?

Answer 24

Defense Planning Guidance (DPG). This document is focused on force development. It provides direction to the Services on what capabilities to prioritize, guidance to the CCMDs on which Services will “own” which bases within their AOR, and guidance to the planning community on resource prioritization (e.g. budget, personnel, etc.) This document informs the GFMIG, GFMAP, TPPs and TDPs. The DPG is not mentioned in JP 5-0, but is considered a posture-related document.

Question 25

Who is responsible for the National Military Strategy (NMS) and what is its purpose?

Answer 25

National Military Strategy (NMS). A document approved by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for distributing and applying military power to attain national security strategy and national defense strategy objectives. The NMS provides an overarching military strategic framework that will better inform resource planning and allocation priorities, risk distribution, and Joint Force development. It recognizes the challenges posed by an evolving security environment and seeks to address them through a comprehensive and globally integrated approach to planning, operations, and capability development that retains a competitive advantage over potential adversaries.

Question 26

Who is responsible for the Joint Strategic Campaign Plan (JSCP) and what is its purpose?

Answer 26

The JSCP is the primary document in which the CJCS carries out his statutory responsibility for providing unified strategic direction to the Armed Forces. The JSCP provides military strategic and operational guidance to CCDRs, Service Chiefs, Combat Support Agencies (CSAs), and applicable DOD agencies for preparation of plans based on current military capabilities…In addition to communicating to the CCMDs’ specific planning guidance necessary for planning, the JSCP operationalizes the strategic vision described in the NMS and nests with the strategic direction delineated by the NSS.

Question 27

What is the function of the CCP?

Answer 27

Combatant command campaign plans implement a combatant commander’s strategy and seek to shape the operational environment by integrating posture, resources, and activities to achieve objectives and complement other government efforts related to a geographic region or functional area. Combatant command campaign plans also consolidate operational objectives and tasks identified by the CJCS in the global, functional, and regional campaign plans as they pertain to the commander’s specific authorities and responsibilities.

Question 28

What are the key components of the CCP? (12 of them)

Answer 28

• Theater Assessment
• Mission Statement
• Posture Plan
• Intermediate Military Objectives (IMOs) Country-specific Security Cooperation Sections (CSCS)
• Resources
• Contingency Plans (CONPLAN)
• Theater Posture Plan (TPP)
• Theater Distribution Plans (TDP)
• Subordinate Campaign Plans
• Support Plans
• Planning Order (PLANORD)
• Execution Order (EXORD)

Question 29

How does the CCP support an Ambassador’s Integrated Country Strategy (ICS)?

Answer 29

Country-specific Security Cooperation Sections (CSCS). CCDRs should produce one of these sections for each country in their AOR depending on the size and significance of the security cooperation program for that country. CSCSs directly support the accomplishment of the CCDRs’ IMOs (Intermediate Military Objectives) and the U.S. ambassadors’ Integrated Country Strategies (ICS).

Theater security cooperation is an essential part of any CCP. Extant TCPs have used the CSCS to describe the security cooperation and assistance activities in detail: who, what, where, when, why, and the source of the fiscal resources for each activity.

Question 30

What strategic level documents is the POTUS responsible for?

Answer 30

• National Security Strategy (NSS)
• Contingency Planning Guidance (CPG)
• Unified Command Plan (UCP)

Question 31

What strategic level documents is the SECDEF responsible for?

Answer 31

• National Defense Strategy (NDS)
• Defense Planning Guide (DPG)

Question 32

What strategic level documents is the CJCS responsible for?

Answer 32

• National Military Strategy (NMS)
• Joint Strategic Campaign Plan (JSCP)