MISSION
ANALYSIS TIPS FOR THE COMMANDER- Did
you do an estimate and does it involve you early in the plan?
- Know
where your focus will be during each type of operation.
- Think
in terms of decisive point(s), decision points, enemy center of gravity, armor-killing
mechanisms.
- Attempt
to conduct reconnaissance before COA development to avoid drastic changes.
- Ensure
your staff begins developing Commander's Critical Information Requirements
(CCIR) during mission analysis. Focus CCIR on your decisions during planning,
preparation, and execution.
- Prepare
your own written clear and concise guidance and intent. Have a good format.
- Make
your intent short and to the point. It should be clearly understood two levels
down.
- FM
101-5 requires only key tasks and endstate. Method is in the concept of operations;
risk is stated in the commander's guidance and addressed in all courses of
action; and purpose, if used in the intent, does not restate the "why" of the
mission statement, but rather articulates the broader purpose, the operational
context of the mission beyond the immediate operation.
- Before
giving guidance or making a decision, take time to collect your thoughts.
- Provide
a written copy of guidance to sub-unit commanders with Warning Order No. 2.
- Get
feedback from your commanders and staff on your written guidance.
- If
possible, have individual staff, battlefield operating system (BOS) personnel,
and commanders personally backbrief you on your guidance. Encourage questions
and clarification.
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