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MISSION COMMAND

A NEW APPROACH TO OPERATIONS

LT COL J ADONGO

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INTRODUCTIO
 Mission Command focuses on
outcomes (the ends).
 Provides the resources to achieve the
ends (the means).
 Leaves the methods of achieving the
ends to subordinates (the ways).
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INTRODUCTION
1. Making decisions is a Comd’s
primary duty. Although he can be advised
and provided with info by his staff, and
can delegate some decisions, the
responsibility and authority remain his.

2. Timely decision-making lies at the

heart of the exercise of command at all
levels.
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INTRODUCTION
‘it is not enough that a leader should have the
ability to decide rightly; his subordinates must
seize at once the full meaning of his decision and
be able to express it with certainty in well
adjusted action...’

Sir Julian Stafford Corbett

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AIM

To discuss the essential elements

of Mission Command

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SCOPE
3. The discussion would be centred on:
a. Philosophy of Command
b. Key Elements of Mission Command
c. Principles of Command
d. Mission Command in Practice

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SCOPE
3. The discussion would be centred on:
a. A Philosophy of Command
b. Key Elements of Mission Command
c. Principles of Command
d. Mission Command in Practice

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PHILOSOPHY OF COMMAND
4. Mission Command is defined as a
philosophy of command, with centralised
intent and decentralised execution, that is
particularly suitable for complex, dynamic
and adversarial situations.
ADP Ops

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PHILOSOPHY OF COMMAND (cont)
5. The Manoeuvrist Approach (MA)
demands a philosophy of command that
promotes freedom of action and initiative.

6. Like the MA, Mission Command

focuses on outcomes. It stresses the
importance of understanding what effect
is to be achieved, rather than specifying
the ways by which it should be achieved.

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SCOPE
3. The discussion would be centred on:
a. A Philosophy of Command
b. Key Elements of Mission Command
c. Principles of Command
d. Mission Command in Practice

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KEY ELEMENTS OF MISSION COMMAND

7. A commander gives his orders in a manner that

ensures that his subordinates understand his intentions
(intent), their own missions, and the context of those
missions.

8. Subordinates are told what effect they are to

achieve and the reason (why) it is required.

9. Subordinates are allocated sufficient resources to

carry out their missions.

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KEY ELEMENTS OF MISSION COMMAND

10. A commander uses the minimum level of control

possible so as not to unnecessarily constrain his
subordinates’ freedom of action.

11. Subordinates then decide how best to achieve

their missions. They have a fundamental responsibility
to act in line with their commander’s intent.

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KEY ELEMENTS OF MISSION COMMAND (cont)

12. Intent. Intent is similar to purpose. A clear

intent initiates a force’s purposeful activity. It represents
what the commander wants to achieve and why; and
binds the force together; it is the principal result of
decision-making.

13. It is normally expressed using actions, effects,

objectives and desired outcomes. They are personal
to the commander and should be written by him,
applying all of his experience and intuition, bound
together with the advice and intelligence he receives.
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SCOPE
3. The discussion would be centred on:
a. A Philosophy of Command
b. Key Elements of Mission Command
c. Principles of Command
d. Mission Command in Practice

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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND

14. These include:
a. Unity of Effort.
b. A Specified Main Effort.
c. Freedom of Action.
d. Trust.
e. Mutual Understanding.
f. Timely and Effective Decision- Making.

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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
15. Unity of Effort. Unity of effort is essential to
ensure the maximum synergy between the elements
within a force. To achieve this, the commander must
identify where his top priority lies and reflect this in
the allocation of resources. In addition, the
commander should ensure that his own higher
commander’s intent is always clear in his
subordinates’ minds.

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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
14. These include:
a. Unity of Effort.
b. A Specified Main Effort.
c. Freedom of Action.
d. Trust.
e. Mutual Understanding.
f. Timely and Effective Decision-
Making.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
16. Specified Main Effort. A Main Effort
balances unity of effort and freedom of action. The
Main Effort requires a concentration of forces or
means by which a commander seeks to bring about a
decision.
17. ME will have SEs which will ultimately be
integrated into a concept of operations. There cannot
be more than one at any one time.
NOTE: ME should be expressed as a single action
together with the principal force undertaking it.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
The Principles include:
a. Unity of Effort.
b. A Specified Main Effort.
c. Freedom of Action.
d. Trust.
e. Mutual Understanding.
f. Timely and Effective Decision-
Making.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)

18. Freedom of Action. Freedom of Action at

all levels is central to the Manouverist Approach
as operations are often chaotic and outcomes are
unpredictable. Thus, subordinates have the
authority to act, within the commander’s intent.

Note: Commanders should not seek to over-

coordinate.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
14. These include:
a. Unity of Effort.
b. A Specified Main Effort.
c. Freedom of Action.
d. Trust.
e. Mutual Understanding.
f. Timely and Effective Decision-
Making.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
19. Trust. Trust as an element of moral
cohesion is a prerequisite of command at all
levels. Commanders must have trust in their
superior commanders’ plans and trust in their
subordinates’ ability to sensibly interpret their
intent and persevere to achieve it.

Note: Trust is earned, not demanded.

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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)

“... He, the soldier, must have

confidence in his leaders and know
that whatever dangers and hardships
he is called upon to suffer, his life will
not be flung away.”
FM Slim

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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
The Principles include:
a. Unity of Effort.
b. A Specified Main Effort.
c. Freedom of Action.
d. Trust.
e. Mutual Understanding.
f. Timely and Effective Decision-
Making.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND

(cont)

20. Mutual Understanding. A good Comd

ensures that he understands his subordinates and
they understand him. Commanders should be in
a position to understand the issues and concerns
facing their subordinates. Professional
knowledge and study will give subordinates, in
turn, an insight into command at levels higher
than their own.

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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)
The Principles include:
a. Unity of Effort.
b. A Specified Main Effort.
c. Freedom of Action.
d. Trust.
e. Mutual Understanding.
f. Timely and Effective Decision-
Making.
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PRINCIPLES OF MISSION COMMAND
(cont)

21. Timely and Effective Decision-Making.

Mission Command requires timely and
effective decisions at all levels.

Much of the art of command consists of

timely recognition of the circumstances and
moment demanding a new decision.
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SCOPE
3. The discussion would be centred on:
a. A Philosophy of Command
b. Key Elements of Mission Command
c. Principles of Command
d. Mission Command in Practice

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MISSION COMMAND IN PRACTICE

“… Never tell people

how to do things, tell
them what to do and
they will surprise
you with their
ingenuity”…

Photo of Gen Patton

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MISSION COMMAND IN PRACTICE (cont)

21. Mission Statement. A mission statement

is a clear and direct order to a subordinate. The
commander should allocate each subordinate a
task or tasks, with a unifying purpose. One task
will be the commander’s Main Effort.

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MISSION COMMAND IN PRACTICE (cont)

22. Types of Mission Statements. The 3 types
of mission statements are as fols:
a. A single statement with a unifying
purpose.
b. A series of tasks with a unifying
purpose.
c. For reserves, a series of ‘be
prepared to’ tasks, without a unifying
purpose.
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MISSION COMMAND IN PRACTICE (cont)

23. The Elements of Mission Statement are as

fols:
a. Who - The subordinate command
b. What - What the Command is to
achieve
c. When and Where - The parameters
d. Why - The purpose

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MISSION COMMAND IN PRACTICE (cont)

Example
‘1 Battalion is to capture en position in area
Okutolege Cross-Roads GR 123456 by 141600Z
FEB 24 in order to facilitate the forward passage
of lines by 2 Brigade’

NOTE!!!
The phrase…… “in order to” is what is termed the
unifying purpose and it is an essential ingredient
in a mission statement. 33
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MISSION COMMAND IN PRACTICE (cont)

‘1 Battalion (who) is to capture en position in

the gen area of Okutolege X-Roads (what) ……..
at GR 123456 (where)
…………….by 1600Z today (when)
in order to allow the forward passage of lines of
2 Brigade’ (why)

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UNIFIED PURPOSE IN MISSION STATEMENTS

Own Mission:
Task(s) + Purpose

Subordinate Subordinate Subordinate

1: Task + 2: Task + 3: Task +
Purpose Purpose Purpose

The missions assigned to subordinates, together, fulfil the

mission assigned to the commander. 35
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There is a
common thread
to the
subordinates’
purposes, so that
when taken Own Mission:
together they
fulfil the Task + Purpose
Commander’s
mission

Subordinate Subordinate Subordinate

1: Task + 2: Task + 3: Task +
Purpose Purpose Purpose

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