Section 118

Question 1

Discuss the following as they relate to planning considerations: Strategic Objective

Answer 1

Level of war at which a nation determines national or multinational strategic security objectives and guidance and develops and uses national resources to achieve these objectives.
Define limits and assess risk for the use of military and other instruments of national power.

Question 2

Discuss the following as they relate to planning considerations: Operational Objectives.

Answer 2

Level of war at which campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, and sustained to achieve strategic objectives within operational areas.

Question 3

Discuss the following as they relate to planning considerations: Tactical Objectives

Answer 3

Level of war at which battles and engagements are planned and executed to achieve military objectives assigned to tactical units or task force.

Question 4

What is the role of an Operational Planning Team?

Answer 4

Primary role of the OPT is to support the commander in his decision making process.

Question 5

Discuss the organization of an Operational Planning Team

Answer 5

Commanders should task organize their OPT(s) based on the unique characteristics that surround each problem. (mission)

Question 6

Discuss the function of an Operational Planning Team.

Answer 6

OPT core is able to brainstorm, identify problems, discuss concerns, and refine products before the full OPT meets to continue planning.
OPT core members must be able to think beyond their specialty.

Question 7

Discuss the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) - Problem Framing

Answer 7

1st step in the MCPP
May begin informally in response to indications and warnings or more formally when an order or directive is received.
Course of action development leads to one or more options for how the mission and commander’s intent might be accomplished.

Question 8

Discuss the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) - Course of Action War Game

Answer 8

COA war gaming is used to improve the plan. Examines and refines the options in light of adversary capabilities and potential actions/reactions.

Course of Action Comparison and Decision - commander evaluates each friendly COA against established criteria, compares them with each other, and selects the COA he believes will best accomplish the mission.

Question 9

Discuss the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) - Orders Development

Answer 9

Purpose of orders development is to translate the commander’s decision into oral, written, and/or graphic communication sufficient to guide implementation and promote initiative by subordinates

Question 10

Discuss the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) - Transition

Answer 10

• Transition may involve a wide range of briefs, drills, or rehearsals necessary to ensure a successful shift from planning to execution and be subject to the variables of echelon of command, mission complexity, and, most importantly, time.
At min, includes CONOPS brief

Question 11

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: Center of Gravity

Answer 11

Defined as the source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act

Question 12

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIRs)

Answer 12

Only the commander decides what information is critical, but the staff may propose commander’s critical information requirements (CCIRs) to the commander

Question 13

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: Commander Intent

Answer 13

Having engaged in a design dialogue with his planners and staff in order to gain insight into the problem, the commander provides his initial intent and guidance in order to direct continued actions in the planning process

Question 14

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: TPFDD

Answer 14

Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data (TPFDD). The JOPES database portion of an operation plan; it contains time-phased force data, non-unit-related cargo and personnel data, and movement data for the operation plan

Question 15

Discuss the following as they apply to planning: Top Down Planning

Answer 15

Planning is a fundamental responsibility of command.

The commander must not merely participate in planning, he must drive the process

Question 16

Discuss the following as they apply to planning: Integrated Planning

Answer 16

Integrated planning is conducted to coordinate action toward a common purpose by all elements of the force

Question 17

Discuss the following as they apply to planning: Single-Battle Concept

Answer 17

Operations or events in one part of the battle space often have profound and consequent effects on other areas and events; therefore, a commander must always view the battle space as an indivisible entity

Question 18

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: CONPLAN

Answer 18

an operation plan in an abbreviated format that may require considerable expansion or alteration to convert it into an OPLAN or OPORD. It includes a base plan with annexes required by the JFC and a supported commander’s estimate of the plan’s feasibility. It may also produce a TPFDD if applicable

Question 19

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: OPLAN

Answer 19

Any plan for the conduct of military operations prepared in response to actual and potential contingencies

Question 20

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: FUNCPLAN

Answer 20

Plans involving the conduct of military operations in a peacetime or permissive environment developed by combatant commanders to address requirements such as disaster relief, nation assistance, logistics, communications, surveillance, protection of US citizens, nuclear weapon recovery and evacuation, and continuity of operations or similar discrete tasks.

Question 21

Define the following terms as they apply to deliberate planning: TPFDD

Answer 21

The JOPES database portion of an operation plan; it contains time-phased force data, non-unit-related cargo and personnel data, and movement data for the operation plan