Section 118- MCPP Flashcards
Discuss the following terms as they relate to planning considerations: strategic objective
CONPLAN
• A CONPLAN is 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
OPLAN
• Any plan for the conduct of military operations prepared in response to actual and potential contingencies.
• In the context of joint operation planning level 4 planning detail, a complete and detailed joint plan containing a full description of the concept of operations, all annexes applicable to the plan, and a time-phased force and deployment data. It identifies the specific forces, functional support, and resources required to execute the plan and provide closure estimates for their flow into the theater
FUNCPLAN
• 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. They may be developed in response to the requirements of the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, at the initiative of the combatant commander, or as tasked by the supported combatant commander, Joint Staff, Service, or Defense agency. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff review of combatant commander-initiated plans is not normally required
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
Strategic Objective
• Strategic Objective - The level of war at which a nation, often as a member of a group of nations, determines national or multinational (alliance or coalition) strategic security objectives and guidance, and develops and uses national resources to achieve these objectives. Activities at this level establish national and multinational military objectives; sequence initiatives; define limits and assess risks for the use of military and other instruments of national power; develop global plans or theater war plans to achieve those objectives; and provide military forces and other capabilities in accordance with strategic plan
Discuss the following terms as they relate to planning considerations: operational objective
Operational Objective - The level of war at which campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, and sustained to achieve strategic objectives within theaters or other operational areas. Activities at this level link tactics and strategy by establishing operational objectives needed to achieve the strategic objectives, sequencing events to achieve the operational objectives, initiating actions, and applying resources to bring about and sustain these events
Discuss the following terms as they relate to planning considerations: tactical objective
• Tactical Objective - The level of war at which battles and engagements are planned and executed to achieve military objectives assigned to tactical units or task forces. Activities at this level focus on the ordered arrangement and maneuver of combat elements in relation to each other and to the enemy to achieve combat objectives
Team (OPT)
Role
• The primary role of the OPT is to support the commander in his decision making process by
Organization
• Commanders should task organize their OPT(s) based on the unique characteristics that surround each problem (mission)
Function
• The 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
Discuss the role, organization and function of an Operational Planning
Discuss the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP). Problem framing, coa development, coa war gaming, coa comparison and decision, orders development, transition
Problem Framing
• Problem framing is the first step in the MCPP.
• It may begin informally in response to indications and warnings or more formally when an order or directive—including the HHQ mission and tasks to subordinate commands—is received.
• Course of Action Development
• Course of action development leads to one or more options for how the mission and commander’s intent might be accomplished in accordance with the commander’s understanding as a result of the design effort that began during problem framing
Course of Action War Game
• The purpose of COA war gaming is to improve the plan. It examines and refines the option(s) in light of adversary capabilities and potential actions/reactions as well as other factors peculiar to the operational environment, such as the local population and how it may respond to friendly and adversary interactions
• Course of Action Comparison and Decision
• During COA comparison and decision, the commander evaluates each friendly COA against established criteria, compares them with each other, and selects the COA he believes will best accomplish the mission
Orders Development
• The 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
Transition
• 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 a minimum, this step includes a CONOPS brief
Center of Gravity
• Defined as the source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act.
Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIRs)
• Only the commander decides what information is critical, but the staff may propose commander’s critical information requirements (CCIRs) to the commander
Commander Intent
• 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
TPFDD-time phased force deployment data
• 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
Top Down Planning
- Planning is a fundamental responsibility of command.
* The commander must not merely participate in planning, he must drive the process
Integrated Planning
• Integrated planning is conducted to coordinate action toward a common purpose by all elements of the force
Single-Battle Concept
• 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
CONPLAN
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
• A CONPLAN is 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
OPLAN
- Any plan for the conduct of military operations prepared in response to actual and potential contingencies.
- In the context of joint operation planning level 4 planning detail, a complete and detailed joint plan containing a full description of the concept of operations, all annexes applicable to the plan, and a time-phased force and deployment data. It identifies the specific forces, functional support, and resources required to execute the plan and provide closure estimates for their flow into the theater
FUNCPLAN
• 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. They may be developed in response to the requirements of the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, at the initiative of the combatant commander, or as tasked by the supported combatant commander, Joint Staff, Service, or Defense agency. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff review of combatant commander-initiated plans is not normally required
