Given more time, they might analyze the remainder of their platoons area of operation and area of interest. A-107. It, along with the platoons purpose, is usually assigned by the higher headquarters' OPORD in concept of operation or Tasks to Maneuver Units. In order to keep communication at a standstill, phone lines are cut connecting the outside to the camp before the attack. He need not wait for a complete OPORD before starting to develop his own tentative plan. For decisive operations, since the purposes are the same (nested concept) the essential task also accomplishes the higher headquarters purpose. What axes afford both clear fields of fire and cover and concealment? This understanding makes it possible to exercise disciplined initiative. Implied tasks derive from a detailed analysis of higher up orders, from the enemy situation and COA, from the terrain, and from knowledge of doctrine and history. A-27. NSF requires a biographical sketch for each individual identified as senior personnel. The leader ensures every unit in his command is employed, every asset is attached and adequate mission command is provided for each element. Sometime before sunset, I headed out to preflight the aircraft. NAI LOCATION EN COA INDICATOR NET/ NLT PRIORITY PRIMARY/ ALTERNATE CONFIRMATION REMARKS EVENT MATRIX (S2) ISR MATRIX (S3) 1. How do I gain or maintain control of key terrain? Examples include mine fields (conventional and situational); antitank ditches; wire obstacles. The leader groups mutually supporting mobility corridors to form an avenue of approach. Course of Move statement. Leaders to have starting points for terrain analysis must first define their operational environment. Yet, when we actually made it to our destination, we could not see the other end of the airfield. Biographical Sketch. Or, they might have to move much more slowly than they would like. A-118. When analyzing terrain, leaders consider manmade features and effects on natural terrain features and climate. Even if time is tight, the leader should allocate as much time as possible to factor, starting at the. It was a familiar mission; a flight of two UH-60Ls were to fly a five-and-a-half-hour ring route under night vision goggles. Risk assessment is the identification and assessment of hazards allowing a leader to implement measures to control hazards. He applies the results to the friendly and enemy COA he develops. Wind always is described as "fromto" as in "winds are from the east moving to the west." Air density decreases as temperature and humidity increase. Where is the dead space in my area of operations? To do this, they answer the five Ws . Reinforcing obstacles, protective (reinforcing) obstacles offer close-in protection and are important to survivability. The military advantage gained by executing the COA must justify the cost in resources, especially casualties. People The four categories the leader considers include. This 3-page document outlines an individual's education and training, their appointments and positions, and other . Leaders analysis must determine the types of vehicles, Soldiers, and equipment the enemy could use against his unit. Commanders and staff officers who make link-diagrams of leadership including religious, political, and criminal personnel allow focused planning and decentralized execution which bolsters legitimacy within the population. The leader must avoid unnecessary complicated mission command structures and maintain unit integrity where feasible. The product must reflect the results of reconnaissance and shared information. How will cloud cover affect the target acquisition of the command launch unit? Therefore, a secondary product of analysis of troops and support available should be an answer to the question:, how do I get help? It can do this by masking the target or by reducing overhead clearance. Organizations of influence force the leader to look beyond preexisting civilian hierarchical arrangements. How will obstacles and terrain affect the movement or maneuver of the unit? Assess capabilities in terms of those required to save, sustain, or enhance life, in that order. Visualizing a valid decisive point is how the leader determines how to achieve success and accomplish his purpose. Higher commanders use boundaries to define their platoons and companies' areas of operations. This includes those personnel outside the area of operation whose actions, opinions, or political influence can affect the mission. This team effort ensured a more accurate assessment for the battle captain. Scenario Blueprint Examples. He then develops the maneuver control measures necessary to convey his intent, enhance the understanding of the schemes of maneuver, prevent fratricide, and clarify the tasks and purposes of the decisive shaping, and sustaining operations. They need not analyze METT-TC in a particular order. The population within a prescribed area of operation comprises several different groups, both ethnically and politically. The terrain, however, may favor defending or attacking. The unit has the technical and tactical skills and resources to accomplish the COA, with available time, space, and resources. Higher headquarters (two levels up) mission, intent, and concept. Many times, the spiritual leader is not necessarily the decision maker for a community, but the spiritual leader must approve the decision maker's actions. One technique is to parallel the TLP based on the products received from higher. If the benefits of performing the mission do not significantly outweigh the inherent risks of marginal/borderline weather, the flight should be a no-go or implement alternate transportation to accomplish the mission safely. In addition, consider how historical, cultural, and social factors shape public perceptions beliefs, goals, and expectations. Gaining complete understanding of the enemy's intentions can be difficult when his situation templates, composition, and disposition are unclear. Will variations in trafficability force changes in formations or movement techniques, or require clearance of restricted terrain? Is the enemy controlling this key terrain? How do our forces build national will in our area of operations? 4. Mission analysis has no time standard. This judgment call is unique to the specific METT-TC conditions the leader faces. Leaders also must determine if terrain is decisive. The relative-force ratio is a correlation of friendly combat power and. (DRAW-D [defends, reinforce, attack, withdraw, or delay]). The essential task is the mission taskit accomplishes the assigned purpose. COA Statement and Sketch. factors of the overall operations. Just because the report you receive says you have legal weather, don't always assume it is accurate. We boarded our aircraft, started the engines and positioned ourselves at the passenger terminal to pick up our first passengers for the evening. Analyzing the enemy answers the question, "What is the enemy doing and why?" In the defense, weapon positions must be both lethal to the enemy and survivable to the Soldier. Do not discuss this assignment or your answers with anyone other than a Department of Distance Education (DDE) instructor or your academic advisor Based on the S-2s assessment and enemy's doctrine and current location, the leader must determine the enemy's capabilities. A-69. They must determine how the terrain and weather will affect the enemy and their units. Where can I destroy the enemy? Identify number of units needed and operational. The refined product is a platoon situation template, a graphic showing how he believes the enemy will fight under specific operational conditions. A-50. . From this analysis, he might be able to determine patterns in the enemy's employment or troops and equipment. Offensive considerations in analyzing observation and fields of fire include , A-55. He determines how the weather will affect the visibility, mobility, and survivability of his unit and that of the enemy. With the preflight accomplished and the gear prearranged where we wanted it, we headed for the dining facility to grab dinner before our long mission. Whether it is set times for prayer, shopping or commuting, people follow patterns. The problem statement generated during problem framing communicates the commander's understanding of the problem or problem set upon which the organization will act. 8. Using the targeting methodology of D3A (decide, detect, deliver, and assess) may prove useful in determining whether a leader or influencer would best facilitate an operation, when to engage them, and what to expect. He might do it personally, by map, or with his subordinate units, or he can use the assets and information provided by the battalion reconnaissance platoon. Defined Operational Environment Assumptions What are the capabilities of his weapons? Other critical conditions to consider include visibility and weather data, and events such as higher headquarters tasks and required rehearsals. Swamps and rugged ground are two examples of restricted terrain for Infantry forces. He analyzes if vegetation will affect the employment or trajectory of the Javelin, or 60-mm mortars. Template of enemy forces and essential weapon systems. A-108. Echeloning and identifying of enemy observation and indirect fires. Heavy cloud cover often canalizes aircraft within air avenues of approach and on the final approach to the target. The leader identifies locations along each avenue of approach providing clear observation and fields of fire for both the attacker and defender. What terrain has higher headquarters named as key? The need for control measures, such as checkpoints, contact points, and target registration points, aid in control, flexibility, and synchronization. The object is to determine what can go wrong and what decision the leader likely will have to make as a result. The COA covers the operational factors of who, what, when, where, and how, and must show from start to finish how the unit will accomplish the mission. The leader must avoid developing his situation template independently of the higher commander's guidance and S-2's product. In doctrinal terms, he asksIs the enemy oriented on the terrain, example, a reconnaissance force, his own force (assault force, terrorists, or insurgent forces), civilian forces or critical infrastructure (terrorist or insurgent forces, sabotage), or other supporting or adjacent friendly forces (as in a disruption zone)? A prominent hilltop overlooking an avenue of approach might or might not be key terrain. Leaders must understand impact of their actionsas well as their subordinates actionson the civilian population, and effects they will have on current and future operations. We informed the battle captain of our weather forecaster's concerns of flying the mission. On this day, he made the decision to shut down and wait for the weather to pass. Flexibility built into the plan by gaining insights into possible branches to the basic plan. This doctrinal requirement provides a framework for the leader to develop a COA. Enemy Situation Template Recommended enemy situation template items. Leaders who identify the economic production base of their area of operation can execute civil-military campaigns within their area of operation bolstering the economic welfare of the people. They must clearly understand their immediate higher up intent from the OPORD. Where (the objective or location stated in company OPORD), and. What is the supply status of ammunition, water, fuel (if required), and other necessary items? A-61. The leader, based on his initial analysis of METT-TC, his situational awareness, his vision, and insight into how such factors can affect the unit's mission, should visualize where, when, and how his unit's ability to generate combat power (firepower, protection, maneuver, leadership, and information) can overwhelm the enemy's abilities to generate combat power. However, as time permits, he can develop as many COA, for comparison purposes, as time allows. These attributes may pertain to the accomplishment of the unit purpose, the use of terrain, the destruction of the enemy or other aspect of the operation he believes is important. The mission is always the first factor leaders consider and most basic question: What have I been told to do, and why? A description of the weather we had encountered earlier added credence to our discussions with the battle captain. What are the enemy's likely counterattack routes? Offensive considerations the leader can include in his evaluation of avenues of approach: A-46. Implied tasks are those being performed to accomplish a specified task, but that are not stated in a higher headquarters order. Where are the natural target registration points? Following these or similar guidelines will result in a higher mission accomplishment rate, a lower weather-related mishap rate and a better image of aviation professionalism. Assign Responsibilities What is the composition of the enemy's reinforcing obstacles? At the hangar, the crews continued loading the utility vehicles with necessary supplies and equipment for the mission. Staff COA. The two types of constraints are proscriptive (required; mandates action) and prohibitive (not allowed; limits action). It was about a 20-minute flight and as we got closer, the dust storm worsened. Analyze how vital civilian areas affect the missions of respective forces and how military operations affect these areas. The leader must consider two kinds of risk: tactical and accident. Some temperature considerations include: A-65. Assumptions Courses of Action (COA) Refined COAs Potential decision points War-game results Initial assessment measures Update assumption Approved COA Adv/Disadvantages of each COA COA. The leader identifies critical factors about cloud cover, including limits on illumination and solar heating of targets. Identifying a tentative decisive point and verifying it during COA development is the most important aspect of the TLP. Distinguishable. For armored forces, steep slopes, densely spaced obstacles, and absence of a developed road system characterize severely restricted terrain. During the first step of COA development, analyzing relative combat power, leaders compare and contrast friendly combat power with the enemy. Using this technique, they would, but need not, analyze mission first; followed by terrain and weather; enemy; troops and support available; time available; and finally civil considerations. The goal of this step, generating options, is to determine one or more of those ways quickly. Generate Options A-98. To develop a COA, he focuses on the actions the unit must take at the decisive point and works backward to his start point. b. When the mission window passed, he canceled the mission. They take five steps to fully analyze their assigned mission as directed from higher . A-68. We had passengers, field Soldiers, aircrew and our aircraft to consider. The leader must not only appreciate how much time is available, but he also must be able to appreciate the time/space aspects of preparing, moving, fighting, and sustaining. They must assess if the new information affects their missions and plans. CBRN operations usually favor the upwind force. Prepare COA statement and sketch Avenue of approach Key terrain COA Analysis (war game) Observation/fields *Action - Reaction - Counteraction* of fire Methods Cover and concealment Box. This is extremely important in understanding when and where to commit combat power, what relationships can be reinforced with certain groups versus what relationships need to start or cease, and ultimately what second and third order effects our actions will have in the area of operation. Windblown sand, dust, rain, or snow can reduce the effectiveness of radar and other communication systems. Cover and Concealment For armored forces, unrestricted terrain typically is flat or moderately sloped, with scattered or widely spaced obstacles such as trees or rocks. He should be familiar with the basic characteristics of the units and platforms identified. The platoon leader begins mission analysis when receiving the mission. Coordinating instructions to enhance execution and unity of effort, and to ease confusion between subordinate elements. A-64. For example, in the conduct of attacks, leaders might prioritize the areas immediately around their objective for analysis, followed by the platoons specific axis leading to the objective. A-114. I kept an eye on the dust cloud and the instrument panel at the same time, which wasn't a good idea because I soon became disoriented. One technique is to use the warfighting functions as a checklist to address every significant element the enemy brings to the fight. Similarly, shaping operation purposes must relate directly to those of the decisive operation. Defensive considerations the leader can include in his evaluation of avenues of approach: Key Terrain A-74. If time permits, the leader might be able to conduct a pattern analysis of the enemy's actions to predict future actions. These capabilities should include reasonable assets the next higher element, or other higher enemy headquarters, may provide. Reconnaissance is critical in developing the best possible enemy scenario. A valid decisive point enables the leader to clearly and logically link how the application of combat power elements with respect to terrain, enemy, and time allows the unit to accomplish its purpose. I could barely see the ground. On another mission, we were told we had legal weather, the forecaster reporting three miles visibility. Assigning areas of operations to subordinates lets the subordinates use their initiative and supports decentralized execution. Accident risk includes all operational risk other than tactical risk and can include hazards concerning friendly personnel, equipment readiness, and environment. Whenever possible and depending on the existing chain of command, they avoid fracturing unit integrity. The decisive point might orient on terrain, enemy, time, or a combination of these. For example, if a battalion situation template identifies a platoon-size enemy element on the company's objective and squad-size enemy elements on the platoons objective, the leader, using his knowledge of both the enemy's doctrine and terrain, develops a situation template positioning squad-size battle positions, crew-served weapons positions, or defensive trenches. This includes troops who are either attached to or in direct support of his unit. Time analysis is often the first thing a leader does. He locates intervisibility lines (ridges or horizons which can hide equipment or personnel from observation). Likewise, he must understand enemy doctrinal objectives. Because of the uncertainty always present in operations at the small unit level, leaders cannot be expected to think of everything during their analysis. Leaders analyze terrain using the categories of Key terrain is locations or areas whose seizure, retention, or control gives a marked advantage to either combatant. 2. Then, they determine how those fit into their superiors concepts of the operation. In short, he strives to determine where, when, and how his unit's combat power (the effects of maneuver, firepower, protection, leadership, and information) can overwhelm the enemy's ability to generate combat power. Even if it offers clear observation and fields of fire, it offers nothing if the enemy can easily bypass it, or if the selected course of action involves maneuver on a different avenue of approach. These effects translate directly into conclusions applying to friendly or enemy COA. They must go beyond merely passing along the MCOO to their subordinate leaders and making general observations of the terrain such as "This is high ground," or "This is a stream." Offensive considerations when analyzing obstacles and restricted terrain: How is the enemy using obstacles and restricted terrain features? The leader must answer these questions: Precipitation How can I use these features to force the enemy into its engagement area, deny him an avenue, or disrupt his movement? This is key terrain which seizure, retention, or control is necessary for mission accomplishment. Lessons Learned He includes the requirements of indirect fire to support the maneuver. Leaders must understand each groups perceptions about the United States, the Army, and specific units operating within that area. After these groups have been defined, analyzing them and determining their contributions or resistance to friendly operations is easier. A sketch typically includes symbols of friendly and enemy units, assembly. Examples of critical events that can be identified in advance for a defensive operation are reward passage of counter reconnaissance forces, commitment of the reserve, displacement of forces,. A-32. Cover and concealment can be either part of the environment or something brought in by the unit to create the desired effect : A-57. Click the card to flip . Avenues of approach are classified by type (mounted, dismounted, air, or subterranean), formation, and speed of the largest unit traveling on it. At greater altitudes, it can increase or reduce fuel consumption. War gaming, depending on how much time is devoted to planning, provides. Implied Tasks. Questions It was only then that I was able to look outside again. A-34. A-29. The S-3 informed us where friendly forces were in our area, while the S-2 filled us in on where the action was in our battle space. Critical events for each COA. Where will the enemy establish firing lines or support by fire positions? This assessment is largely subjective. The time it takes to complete this is well worth the effort to ensure the command is aware of the increased risk involved. He must not take these as facts. Using the product from generating options, the leader then determines what combinations of Soldiers, weapons, and other systems are needed to accomplish each task. Notes COA statement must clearly portray how the unit This appendix provides six examples to explain how scenario blueprints are designed and used. Capabilities can refer to the ability of local authorities to provide essential functions and services. To determine how to maximize the effects of combat power while protecting friendly forces and minimizing collateral damage. COA Statement and Sketch Pajota's Guerillas' mission is to block off a mile of road through the use of road blocks on both sides of the highway bridge cross over Cabu Creek of an estimated 300 yards northeast from compound. He allocates resources required for the decisive operation's success first and determines the resources needed for shaping operations in descending order of importance. Existing obstacles, man-made include towns; canals; railroad embankments; buildings; power lines; telephone lines. This fact forces leaders to determine how to get assistance when the situation exceeds their capabilities. Defensive considerations in analyzing observation and fields of fire. Select or Modify COA for Continued Analysis NOTE: A good COA positions the force for sequels and provides flexibility to meet unforeseen events during execution. This then would restrict the unit's ability to mass the effects of combat power. In analyzing fields of fire, he considers the friendly and enemy potential to cover avenues of approach and key terrain, in particular, with direct fires. When the leader decides what risks he is willing to accept, he also must decide in his COA how to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Deviations or significant conclusions reached during their enemy analysis could positively or negatively affect the battalion's and companys plan should be shared immediately with the battalion, company commander and S-2. The leader then determines the tactical mission tasks for the decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations. The second mission variable to consider is the enemy. The co-pilot turned the aircraft and started a climb in preparation for an emergency GPS recovery. Defensive considerations when analyzing obstacles and restricted terrain: Where does the enemy want to go? Structures Order Description . It allows the platoon and squads to move with little hindrance. Leaders use tactical mission task graphics and control measures (Refer to ADRP 1-02 for more information.) Winds Fratricide is an example of an accident risk. An example of a basic COA sketch is shown in Figure 1-1. War gaming is a critical step in the planning process and should be allocated more time than the other steps. What we had was conflicting weather briefs from reliable sources. Analysis of terrain answers the question: What is the terrains effect on the operation? It also includes understanding the full array of assets in support of the unit. During the war game, the leader visualizes a set of enemy and friendly actions and reactions. Furthermore, their own assumptions about the enemy must be consistent with those of their higher commander. PPT MDMP Class (Military Decision Making Process) PowerPoint A-25. A-63. How will the terrain affect the employment of mortars, medium machine guns, and Javelin missiles? Once identified, risk must be reduced through controls. COA analysis allows the leader to synchronize his assets, identify potential hazards, and develop a better understanding of the upcoming operation. An avenue of approach is an air or ground route of an attacking force leading to an objective or key terrain. A-76. How will cloud cover affect unit operations at night? Array Forces Leaders also answer . If more than one COA is developed, it must be sufficiently different from the others to justify full development and consideration. Analyze Relative Combat Power PIR are best expressed in a question being answered yes or no. Leaders analyze the enemy's dispositions, compositions, strengths, doctrine, equipment, capabilities, vulnerabilities, and probable COA. Key Term coa statement and sketch example; Course Hero uses AI to attempt to automatically extract content from documents to surface to you and others so you can study better, e.g., in search results, to enrich docs, and more. He can obtain this information by translating percentages given from higher headquarters to the actual numbers in each enemy element or from information provided the COP. A-26. Projected sustainment expenditures, friendly casualties, and resulting medical requirements. A-109. This requires the leader to understand the laws of war, the ROE, and local situation. At company level and below, leaders develop a graphic terrain analysis overlay. CBRN. Heavy snow cover can reduce the efficiency of many communication systems as well as degrade the effects of many munitions and air operations. Leaders capture their understanding of what their units are to accomplish in their revised mission statements. ", A-33. Leaders assess risk continuously throughout COA development. The sustaining operations purposes are nested to the decisive and shaping operation's purposes by providing sustainment, operational area security, movement control, terrain management, and infrastructure. I headed to the hangar to check on my assigned aircraft for the day and then to the tactical command post (TOC) to check the mission profile. A-31. We decided to return to the airfield at that point because once we passed the light source, we wouldn't be able to see much of anything. Composition MS200 Video lecture about Course of Action (COA) Sketch and Concept Statement The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not reflect the official policy or po MDMP: Course of Action. To determine conditions and resources required for success. For sustaining operations, it accomplishes the assigned purpose, which enables both the shaping and decisive operation (again, nested concept).

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