STEP 1 – Receipt of mission and STEP 2 – Mission analysis

Question 1

Describe the seven steps of the military decisionmaking process (MDMP)

Answer 1

–Receipt of mission
–Mission analysis
–Course of action development
–Course of action analysis (war-gaming)
–Course of action comparison
–Course of action approval
–Orders production, Dissemination, and Transition

Question 2

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission

Answer 2

Input = Pre-planning (anticipation)
• Higher HQ Plan
• New Mission
• Anticipated MSN

Output =
•Commanders Initial Guidance
•Initial Allocation of Time
•Warning Order 1

Question 3

Purpose of “Receipt of Mission” step?

Answer 3

–Alert all participants of pending planning requirements
–Determine time available for planning and preparation
–Decide on planning approach
–Guidance on design and how to abbreviate MDMP

Question 4

Steps in the Receipt of Mission PROCESS are as follows:

Answer 4

–Alert the Staff – operations section alerts the staff who participates in mission analysis
–Gather the tools
–Update running estimate – especially status of friendly units and resources
–Conduct an initial assessment (time, organic assets, etc.)
–Issue the commander’s initial guidance
–Issue the initial warning order

Question 5

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - PROCESS - Tools:

Answer 5

Tools included, but not limited to:
–Higher headquarters’ OPLAN and OPORD (2 levels up)
–Maps of the area of operations
–Higher headquarters intelligence and assessment products
–Own and higher headquarters’ SOPs
–Appropriate publications
–Existing staff estimates
–Any design products

Question 6

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - PROCESS - Running Estimates:

Answer 6

Each staff sections begins updating its running estimate
–Especially friendly units
–Resources and key civil considerations

Running estimates
–Compile critical facts and assumptions
–Include info from other staff sections and other military civilian organizations

Developing and updating is a continuous process throughout MDMP and the operations process

Question 7

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - PROCESS - Conduct Initial Assessment

Answer 7

• Time available from mission receipt to mission execution (1/3 Rule : Parallel Planning)
• Time needed to plan, prepare for, and execute the mission for own and subordinate units
• Guidance on abbreviating the MDMP, if required.
• Which outside agencies to incorporate into planning process.
• Staff’s experience, cohesiveness, and level of rest or stress
• Includes allocation of available time for planning, preparing, and executing the operation
• One-third of time for commander and staff planning and two-thirds of available time to subordinate units for planning and preparation
• Continuously updated

Question 8

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - PROCESS - Commander’s Initial Guidance

Answer 8

• Initial operational timeline
• Decision to initiate design or go straight into MDMP.
• How to abbreviate the MDMP, if required.
• Necessary coordination to perform, including liaison officers (LNOs) to exchange.
• Authorized movement and initiation of any information collection
• Collaborative planning times and locations
• Initial information requirements (IRs) or commander’s critical information requirements (CCIR) (as required)
• Additional staff tasks.

Question 9

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - PROCESS - Initial WARNO

Answer 9

The initial WARNO will include at a minimum:
–The type of operation
–The general location of the operation
–The initial operational time line
–Any movements to initiate

Question 10

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - Recap / Notes:

Answer 10

• Mission comes from higher headquarters or is derived from an ongoing mission.
• XO/COS issues a WARNO to the staff.
• The staff prepares for mission analysis (update staff estimates, maps of AO, higher headquarters SOPs).
• Commander and staff do a quick assessment with emphasis on an initial allocation of available time.
• Commander issues initial guidance; G3/S3 issues WARNO 1 to subordinate units. (Auth’s initial subordinate unit movements)

Question 11

STEP 1 - Receipt of Mission - EW Tasks:

Answer 11

•Upon receipt of mission, the electronic warfare officer (EWO) will alert the staff supporting the EW working group.

•Gather the necessary resources required for mission analysis. Resources might include:
–Higher headquarters operation order or plan
–Maps of the area of operations (AO)
–Electronic data bases
–Required publications and SOPs
–Current running estimates
–Available reachback resources

• Provides input to the staff’s initial assessment.

• Updates the EW running estimate
–Identifies all friendly EW assets/resources and their statuses throughout the operations process

• Assists the commander and staff.
–Monitors, tracks, and seeks information relating to EW operations

Question 12

Step 2 – Mission Analysis

Answer 12

Input =
•Mission from Higher HQ
•Time Analysis
•CDR’s Initial Guidance

Output =
•Problem Statement
•Mission Statement
•Initial Commanders Intent
•Initial Planning Guidance (Time)
•Initial CCIRs and EEFIs
•Updated IPB and Running Estimates
•Assumptions

Question 13

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis:

Answer 13

• Most important step in MDMP
• Refines commanders’ situational understanding and determines their mission
• Enables better commander’s visualization of the operation

•Requires input from:
–Higher HQ plan or order
–Higher HQ intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB)
–Updated running estimates
–Initial commanders guidance
–COA evaluation criteria

Question 14

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 1 – Analyze the Higher HQ Order

Answer 14

•Commander and staff must ensure they completely understand:
–Higher headquarters’
•Commander’s intent
•Mission
•Concept of operation
•Available assets
•Timeline
–Missions of adjacent units
–Mission of interagency, intergovernmental organizations that work in the operational area
–Assigned area of operations

Question 15

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 2 – Perform the Initial IPB:

Answer 15

Systematic Continuous Process

Step 1:
Define the Operational/ Battlespace
Environment

Step 2:
Describe the Environment/ Battlespace effects on Operations

Step 3:
Evaluate the Threat/ Adversary

Step 4:
Determine Threat/ Adversary COAs

Question 16

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 2 – Perform the Initial IPB – EW Tasks: IPB:

Answer 16

• EWO and EW working group support the G-2/S-2 in IPB:
–Determine the threat’s dependence on the EMS
–Determine the threat’s EW capability
–Determine the threat’s Intelligence System collection capability
–Determine which threat vulnerabilities relate to the EMS
–Determine how an operational environment effects EW operations using the operational variables (PMESII-PT) and mission variables (METT-TC) as appropriate
–Determine friendly vulnerabilities related to use of the electromagnetic spectrum
–Initiate, refine and validate information requirements (IRs) and RFIs
–Identify and list high-value targets (HVTs) that can be engaged by EW capabilities

Question 17

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 3 – Determine Specified, Implied and Essential Tasks

Answer 17

(Para 3 - Execution, Ops Annexes)
•Specified Tasks – specifically assigned to a unit by its higher headquarters
•Implied Tasks – must be performed to accomplish a specified task or mission, but is not stated in the higher headquarters’ order
•Essential Tasks – a specified or implied task that must be executed to accomplish the mission (task and purpose)

Question 18

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 3 – Determine Specified, Implied and Essential – Tasks EW Considerations:

Answer 18

EWO and EW working group identify and list:
–Tasks that EW forces perform according to EW divisions: EA, ES, EP in support of the warfighting functions
•Specified and implied tasks
–High-value targets engaged by EW
–Constraints relevant to EW
•Actions EW operations must perform
•Actions EW operations cannot perform

Question 19

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 4 – Review Available Assets and Identify Resource Shortfalls:

Answer 19

• Examine additions to and deletions from the current task organization, support relationships, and status of all units.
• Determine if assets are sufficient to perform all specified and implied tasks.
• Identify additional resources needed for mission success. (Requesting effects: STO assets / higher and adjacent assets)
• Identify any deviations from the normal task organization.

Question 20

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 4 – Review Available Assets and Identify Resource Shortfalls – EW Considerations:

Answer 20

(Have in mind that EW will develop 3 “Concepts of Support” for the 3’s “CONOP COAs” - not the COAs themselves)

•EWO and EW working group analyze the initial EW force structure to determine:
–If forces have sufficient assets to perform the identified EW tasks (EW running estimate)
•If assets are insufficient:
–Draft requests for support and augmentation

Question 21

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 5 – Determine Constraints:

Answer 21

•A constraint is a restriction placed on the command by a higher command. It dictates an action or inaction, thus restricting the freedom of action of a subordinate commander.
•Constraints relevant to EW:
–Actions EW operations must perform
–Actions EW operations cannot perform
–Other constraints

Question 22

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 6 – Identify Critical Facts and Assumptions:

Answer 22

•FACTs are statements of truth or statements thought to be true at the time.
–Facts need to replace assumptions as soon as possible

• Assumptions are suppositions about the current or future situation that are assumed to be true in the absence of positive proof.
• Assumptions are probably correct, but cannot be verified.
• Assumptions must be logical, realistic, and considered likely to be true.

•Appropriate assumptions used during planning have two characteristics:
–They are likely to be true
–They are necessary, that is essential, to continue planning

CATEGORIES: OP Environmental, Friend / ENE Capabilities
TO VALIDATE FACTS / ASSUMPTIONS: Request for Info (RFI) to the “2” developes an Information Requirement (IR) / Priority Information Requirement (PIR)

Question 23

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 7 – Begin Composite Risk Management:

Answer 23

Composite Risk Management During the MDMP:

Assess Hazards –> Make Decisions –> Implement
Controls –> Supervise –> Identify
Hazards –> Assess Hazards…

• Is not an add-on feature to the decisionmaking process
• Must be fully integrated into other battle command processes

Question 24

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 8 – Develop Initial Commander’s CCIR and EEFI:

Answer 24

•Information requirements (IR) – all information elements the commander and staff require to successfully conduct operations

•Commanders critical information requirements (CCIR)
–Priority intelligence requirements (PIR)
–Friendly force information requirements (FFIR)
-> Decision Points or CDRs “Wake Up” criteria

•Essential elements of friendly information (EEFI)
-> OPSEC (the 3’s responsibility)

Question 25

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 9 – Develop the Initial Information Collection Synchronization Tools:

Answer 25

•Information collection synchronization ensures all available information concerning the enemy, terrain and weather, and civil considerations is obtained through intelligence reach •Accomplishes the following: –Identifies requirements and intelligence gaps –Evaluates available assets (internal and external) to collect information –Determines gaps in the use of those assets –Recommends those assets controlled by the organization to collect on the IRs –Submits RFIs for adjacent and higher collection support –G-2/S-2 submits information gathered during information collection synchronization to G-3/S-3 for integration and development of the information collection plan

Question 26

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 10 – Develop the Information Collection Plan:

Answer 26

•Information collection integration follows information collection synchronization. Satisfies IRs identified in the initial information collection synchronization matrix. Integration consists of the following tasks: –The information collection tasking matrix –The information collection overlay –The information collection scheme of support –Issue order (warning, operation, or fragmentary order) •Upon completion of planning, the initial information collection plan becomes annex L (Information Collection) of the OPORD/OPLAN.

Question 27

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 11 – Update Plan for the Use of Available Time:

Answer 27

•Refine the initial plan for the use of available time. •Compare the time needed to accomplish essential tasks to the higher headquarters’ time line to ensure mission accomplishment is possible in the allotted time. •Compare the time line to the enemy time line developed during the IPB. •Determine window of opportunity for exploitation or times when the unit will be at risk from enemy activity. •CDR and COS refine staff planning timeline. The refined timeline includes –Subject, time, and location of briefings commander requires –Times of collaborative planning sessions and the medium over which they will take place –Times, locations, and forms of rehearsals

Question 28

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 12 – Develop Initial Information Themes and Messages:

Answer 28

•Commanders identify and engage those actors that matter to their operational success. •An information theme is a unifying or dominant idea or image that expresses the purpose for military action. –Tied to objectives, lines of effort, and end state conditions –Information themes are overarching and apply to the capabilities of public affairs, psychological operations/MISO, and leader and Soldier engagements –Verbal, written, or electronic communications that –Supports an information theme focused on a specific actor and in support of a specific action (task)

Question 29

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 13 – Develop a Proposed Mission Statement:

Answer 29

•Based on mission analysis •Addresses who, what, when, where and why –Who will execute the operation (unit or organization)? –What is the unit’s essential task (tactical mission task)? –When will the operation begin (by time or event) or what is the duration of the operation? –Where will the operation occur (AO, objective, grid coordinates)? –Why will the force conduct the operations (for what purpose)? •Short sentence or paragraph that describes essential task and purpose •Includes on-order missions; it will not include "be-prepared to"missions * Example 1. Not later than 220400 Aug 09 (when), 1st Brigade (who) secures ROUTE SOUTH DAKOTA (what/task) in AO JACKRABBIT (where) to enable the movement of humanitarian assistance materials (why/purpose). TF 1-3 (SE) (supporting effort) conducts a FPOL (forward passage of lines) with 2BCT and attacks in zone at 060400Z APR XX to seize OBJ TIGER to destroy the remnants of the 133 MIBR and protect the left flank of TF 1-2 (ME)(main effort). * Example 2. 1-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (who) seizes (what/task) JACKSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (where) no later than D-day, H+3 (when) to allow follow-on forces to air-land into AO SPARTAN (why/purpose).

Question 30

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 14 – Present the Mission Analysis Brief:

Answer 30

* Informs the commander of results of staff’s analysis * Staff Officers present summary of running estimates •Mission Analysis Brief Outline: –Mission and intent of HQs two levels up –Mission, commander’s intent, concept of operation of the headquarters one level up –A proposed problem statement –A proposed mission statement –Review of commander’s initial planning guidance –Initial IPB products, including civil considerations that impact the conduct of operations –Specified, implied, and essential tasks –Pertinent facts and assumptions –Constraints –Forces available and resource shortfalls (RFSs) –Initial risk assessment –Proposed information themes and messages –Proposed CCIRs and EEFIs –Initial information collection plan –Recommended timeline –Recommended collaborative planning sessions •During the mission analysis brief or shortly after, commanders approve the mission statement and CCIR.

Question 31

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 15 – Develop and Issue Initial Commander’s Intent:

Answer 31

* Based on situational understanding, commanders summarize their visualization in their initial commander’s intent statement * Links the operation’s purpose with conditions that define desired end state * Easy to remember and clearly understood two echelons down. (Clear and Concise) * The shorter the commander’s intent statement, the better it serves these purposes * Typically three to five sentences

Question 32

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 16 – Develop and Issue Initial Planning Guidance:

Answer 32

* Guidance may be broad or detailed * Outlines specific COAs the commander desires the staff to look at, as well as rule out any COA’s the commander will not accept. * Broadly describes when, where, and how the commander intends to employ combat power to accomplish mission. * Ensures staff understands while allowing the latitude necessary to explore different options.

Question 33

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 17 – Develop Course of Action Evaluation Criteria:

Answer 33

* Factors the commander and staff later use to measure effectiveness and efficiency of one COA to another. * Creation now, eliminates a source of bias prior to COA analysis and comparison. * Address factors that affect success and those that cause failure * Change from mission to mission * Must be understood by all staff members before starting the war game process * COS usually determines each criterion with weights in relation to commander’s guidance ALWAYS consider the COAs from the EA, ES and EP perspective, AND list out spec / implied tasks by Phase.

Question 34

STEP 2 - Mission Analysis – Task 18 – Issue a Warning Order:

Answer 34

``` •After the receiving the planning guidance, the staff issues a WARNO which should contain: –The approved unit mission statement –The commander’s intent –Changes to task organization –The unit AO (sketch, overlay, or some other description) –CCIR and EEFI –Risk guidance –Priorities by warfighting functions –Military deception guidance –Essential stability tasks –Specific priorities ```

Question 35

EWO and EW Working Group Tasks During Mission Analysis Summary

Answer 35

* Determine known facts, status, or conditions of forces capable of EW operations as defined in the commander’s planning documents, such as a WARNO or OPORD. * Identify EW planning support requirements and develop support requests as needed. * Determine facts and develop necessary assumptions relevant to EW such as the status of EW capability at probable execution and time available. * Conduct an initial EW risk assessment and review the risk assessment done by the entire working group. * Provide an EW perspective when developing the commander’s restated mission. * Help develop the mission analysis briefing for the commander.

Question 36

Mission Analysis: EW Products and Information

Answer 36

•By the conclusion of mission analysis, the EWO and EW working group generate or gather the following: –Initial information requirements for EW operations –Rudimentary command and control nodal analysis of the threat –List of EW tasks required to support the mission –List of assumptions and constraints related to EW operations –Planning guidance for EW operations –EW personnel augmentation or support requirements –Update of the EW running estimate –EW portion or input to the commander’s restated mission