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Military Decision Making
Military Decision Making
Military Decision Making
MILITARY
DECISION
MAKING
PROCESS
MISSION ANALYSIS
WARNING ORDER
COA DEVELOPMENT
COA ANALYSIS
COA COMPARISON
COA APPROVAL
WARNING ORDER
ORDERS PRODUCTION
REHEARSAL
FM 101-5 pg 5-2
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 3
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
ACKNOWLEDGE:
FM 101-5 pg 5-3
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 5
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
Military Decision Making Process
Step 1
Input Output
Intent Statement
FM 101-5 pg 5-9
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 9
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
Key Tasks For
Commander’s Intent
• Tasks that must be performed, or conditions that must be
met, to achieve stated purpose of the operation
• Not tied to specific course of action, but fundamental to
the force’s success
• Subordinates use these tasks to keep their efforts
supporting the commander’s intent
• Examples
– Tempo
– Duration
– Terrain that must be controlled
– Effect on the enemy
FM 101-5 pg 5-9
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 10
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
Example Commander’s Intent
Mission
At 112130JUL97, 1 CAV DIV attacks in zone to PL VIRGINIA to defeat the 61 BDE
(MTZD) and establish a covering force NLT 120600JUL97 from PL ALABAMA to
PL MAINE to protect CORPS assembly areas. On order, 1 CAV DIV attacks in zone to
PL FLORIDA to defeat the remaining enemy forces. On order, defends in sector from
PL ILLINOIS to PL VIRGINIA to defeat enemy attacks across the international border.
Commander's Intent
I want to rapidly defeat the remaining enemy forces in zone to PL ALABAMA to
establish a covering force. The covering force will protect the division until we are
prepared for combat and facilitate the forward passage of the heavy brigades, allowing
the heavy brigades to rapidly defeat enemy forces in zone to PL FLORIDA, and
posture the division to destroy any enemy counterattacks across the international
border. End state is the international border restored and the division defending in
sector along PL FLORIDA prepared to defeat any enemy attacks across the
international border.
FM 101-5 pg 5-8
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 14
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
NCOs In The Military Decision
Making Process
PLANNING PROCESS COMMANDER STAFF OFFICERS STAFF NCOs RTOs/CLERKS
MISSION ANALYSIS
–Prepare charts for mission analysis X
–Prepare terrain sketches X
–Update and post unit reports/status X X
–Prepare TOC for planning process X X
–Conduct mission analysis X X X
–Serve as a recorder during process X X
–Brief commander and staff X X
COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE
–Assist Cdr in developing guidance X X
–Issue guidance X
–Record/post Cdr’s guidance X X X
COA DEVELOPMENT
–Prepare charts X
–Sketch COAs X
–Develop COAs X X X
FM 101-5 pg K-2
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 15
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
NCOs In The Military Decision
Making Process
(continued)
PLANNING PROCESS COMMANDER STAFF OFFICERS STAFF NCOs RTOs/CLERKS
COA ANALYSIS
–Collect and prepare tools/charts X
–Serve as a war-game recorder X X
–Conduct war-game session X X X
DECISION
–Make recommendation to Cdr X X
–Decide X
–Record/post Cdr’s guidance X X X
ORDERS PREP
–Write annexes X X
–Consolidate annexes X X
–Type order X X
–Reproduce orders/graphics X
–Review order X X X
–Approve order X
FM 101-5 pg K-2
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 16
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
MILITARY DECISION
MAKING PROCESS
Workshop #2
Input Output
• Suitability
• Feasibility
• Acceptability
• Distinguishability
• Completeness
FM 101-5 pg 5-11
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 19
COA #1
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
CFL 52 DIV CFL 52 DIV
LOA LOA
200100 MAY 97 200100 MAY 97
37(PL WISCONSIN) OBJ (PL WISCONSIN)
42 SABER
TONG’DUCH
O/O FEBA
O/O FEBA
(PL FLORIDA)
(PL FLORIDA)
OBJ KNIFE OBJ
BAYONET
PL IOWA PL IOWA
AA
SCABBARD
PL NEBRASKA PL NEBRASKA
X
3 X 1 52 ID X MNC
X 57
03
LD/LC LD/LC
(PL NEVADA) (PL NEVADA)
Course of Action: BDE attacks frontally with two task forces abreast at 200630 May 97 with a mech heavy task force conducting
the main attack in zone in the east to seize OBJ BAYONET to defeat an enemy battalion. Priority of indirect fires initially to
counterbattery then neutralization of enemy forces at the point of attack. Smoke will be used to isolate enemy positions at the
point of attack. A 20 minute prep on the OBJ’s will be fired to suppress enemy forces. An infantry battalion conducts a supporting
attack in zone in the west to seize OBJ KNIFE to defeat an enemy battalion. A tank heavy task force follows the mech heavy task
force and assumes the main effort to defeat the second echelon battalion vicinity OBJ SABER. Lead battalions provide frontal and
flank security. A mech team, brigade reserve, follows the tank heavy task force prepared to reinforce the main effort or respond to
threats to LOC. DS, R artillery and Q36 radar will initially position forward along PL NEVADA. One battery from the DS and one
battery from the R battalion will initially move behind the lead Co/Tm’s in the right and left zone, respectively. The Q36 radar will
move with the mech heavy TF. BDE Combined Armsvic. .PL. NEVADA
Main CP will position Decisive priorVictory
to attack. TAC CP will follow mech heavy TF.
Risk is accepted by having a small reserve in order to mass combat power on the objective. MDMP 20
COA #1
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
CFL 52 DIV CFL 52 DIV
LOA LOA
O/O O/O
37(PL WISCONSIN) (PL WISCONSIN)
42
TONG’DUCH
FEBA
FEBA
(PL FLORIDA) X
(PL FLORIDA)
TAC
PL IOWA PL IOWA
X
MAIN AA
SCABBARD
PL NEBRASKA PL NEBRASKA
AA X
3 X 1 HILT 52 ID X MNC
X 57
PL NEVADA PL NEVADA 03
Course of Action: On order, BDE defends from PL FLORIDA to PL NEVADA with two task forces abreast to defeat the advance
guard and lead battalions; a task force in depth, the defeat mechanism, will counter attack to defeat the enemy. Forward battalions
establish screen from PL WISCONSIN to PL FLORIDA. The tank heavy task force establishes a combat outpost in TONG’DUCH
to engage enemy reconnaissance and force deployment of the Advanced Guard Battalion. Indirect fires neutralize Advance Guard in
security zone. A tank heavy task force, main effort, in the east defends in sector from PL FLORIDA to PL IOWA to defeat the advance
guard and first echelon battalion. An infantry battalion in the west defends in sector from PL FLORIDA to PL IOWA to defeat a first
echelon battalion. A mech heavy task force occupies AA SCABBARD; on order main effort counterattacks into EA DALLAS or
EA AUSTIN to defeat the second echelon battalion. Priority of fires to main effort battalion. Use blocking obstacles to shape EA DALLAS
or EA AUSTIN once enemy main effort is identified, to support mech heavy TF’s CATK. A mech team, brigade reserve, occupies
AA HILT, prepared to defeat penetrations of PL NEBRASKA or respond to level II rear area threats. DS and R artillery with Q36 radar
positioned forward between PL FLORIDA Combined
and PL IOWA.Arms . . . Decisive
Risk is accepted by having aVictory
small reserve in order to defeat penetrations of
MDMP 21
COA #1
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
CFL 52 DIV CFL 52 DIV
LOA LOA
200100 MAY 97 200100 MAY 97
37(PL WISCONSIN) OBJ (PL WISCONSIN)
42 SABER
TONG’DUCH
O/O FEBA
O/O FEBA
(PL FLORIDA)
(PL FLORIDA)
OBJ KNIFE OBJ
BAYONET
PL IOWA PL IOWA
AA
SCABBARD
PL NEBRASKA PL NEBRASKA
X
3 X 1 52 ID X MNC
X 57
03
LD/LC LD/LC
(PL NEVADA) (PL NEVADA)
Course of Action: BDE attacks frontally with two task forces abreast at 200630 May 97 with a mech heavy task force conducting
the main attack in zone in the east to seize OBJ BAYONET to defeat an enemy battalion. Priority of indirect fires initially to
counterbattery then neutralization of enemy forces at the point of attack. Smoke will be used to isolate enemy positions at the
point of attack. A 20 minute prep on the OBJ’s will be fired to suppress enemy forces. An infantry battalion conducts a supporting
attack in zone in the west to seize OBJ KNIFE to defeat an enemy battalion. A tank heavy task force follows the mech heavy task
force and assumes the main effort to defeat the second echelon battalion vicinity OBJ SABER. Lead battalions provide frontal and
flank security. A mech team, brigade reserve, follows the tank heavy task force prepared to reinforce the main effort or respond to
threats to LOC. DS, R artillery and Q36 radar will initially position forward along PL NEVADA. One battery from the DS and one
battery from the R battalion will initially move behind the lead Co/Tm’s in the right and left zone, respectively. The Q36 radar will
move with the mech heavy TF. BDE Combined Armsvic. .PL. NEVADA
Main CP will position Decisive priorVictory
to attack. TAC CP will follow mech heavy TF.
Risk is accepted by having a small reserve in order to mass combat power on the objective. MDMP 22
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
MILITARY DECISION
MAKING PROCESS
Workshop #3
Input Output
Enemy COA
Course of Action Analysis War Game Results
COA Stmts / Sketches - Conduct War Game
Task Organization
Staff COA
Mission to Subordinates
CCIR
FM 101-5 pg 5-16
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 25
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
• Modified COA
• Modified location and timing of the decisive point
• Identification of key terrain
• Refinement of enemy event template & matrix
• Refinement of task organization
• Identification of subordinate unit’s tasks
• Allocation of combat, CS and CSS assets to subordinates
• The synchronization matrix and decision support template
• Estimate duration of each critical event / entire operation
• Projection of enemy force destruction
• Identification of location and commitment of reserve FM 101-5 pgs 5-23, 5-24
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 27
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
Course of Action Analysis
War Game Results 2 OF 3
• Identify likely times and areas for enemy use of WMD and
friendly NBC requirements
• Most dangerous enemy COA
• Location of commander and CPs
• Identify additional critical events
• Identify additional CS and CSS requirements
• Requirements for deception and surprise
• Refined C2 requirements
• Finalize CCIR and IR with LTIOV
• Finalize R&S plan
• Refined CCIR and incorporate into R&S plan and graphics
FM 101-5 pgs 5-23, 5-24
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 28
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
Course of Action Analysis
War Game Results 3 OF 3
• Make recommendation
FM 101-5 pg 5-24
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 31
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
MILITARY DECISION
MAKING PROCESS
Workshop #4
Input Output
Approved COA
Decision Matrix Course of Action Approval
- Select COA Refined Cdr’s Intent
- Assess Risk
Specified Type of Order /
- Specify Type of Order
Rehearsal
Warning Order 3
• Coordination
• Flexibility
• Clear, concise mission and intent statements
• Centralized planning
• Decentralized execution
• Use of existing resources
• Timeliness
ANALYZE INFORMATION
–Review in/out going reports/orders X X X
–Conduct predictive analysis X X X
–Identify CCIR X X X X
–Conduct TDMP X X X
–Serve as recorders X X
–Develop terrain Sketches X X
–prepare charts and overlays X
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CDR X X X
INTEGRATE/SYNCH RESOURCES X X
Reference: CALL Newsletter 95-12, DEC 95, Tactical Decision Making: Abbreviated Planning
NCO Use
• NCOs involvement
• Enforce duties and responsibilities
• Battlestaff trained NCOs
Rehearsal
- 5 Types of Rehearsals
- Confirmation Brief
- Backbrief
- Combined Arms Rehearsal
- Support Rehearsal
- Battle Drill or SOP Rehearsal
FM 101-5 pg 5-2
Combined Arms . . . Decisive Victory
MDMP 42
Brigade Command & Battle Staff Training
MILITARY
DECISION
MAKING
PROCESS