Ch. 2 Planning and Operational Art

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Questions and Answers

Which document outlines the major national security concerns of the United States and how the administration plans to address them using all instruments of national power?

National Military Strategy

National Security Strategy (correct)

Presidential policy directives

National Defense Strategy

What act of legislation outlines the requirement for an annual report on the national security strategy of the United States?

Title 50, U.S. Code (correct)

The Department of Defense

The Joint Chiefs of Staff

The National Security Council

Which document defines the national interest and goals, the capabilities necessary to implement the strategy, and the short-term and long-term use of the military?

National Military Strategy

Presidential policy directives

National Security Strategy (correct)

National Defense Strategy

Which document is generally prepared every four years and refines the national security strategy into broad military guidance?

The National Defense Strategy (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which document establishes a set of overarching defense objectives that guide military activities and the activities of other U.S. Government departments and agencies?

National Defense Strategy (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who approves the National Defense Strategy?

The Secretary of Defense (B) Signup and view all the answers

The National Military Strategy is prepared by whom?

The CJCS and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the National Military Strategy?

To translate the National Security Strategy into specific military guidance for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the NMS stand for?

National Military Strategy (C) Signup and view all the answers

What document provides guidance on national military objectives, means, and ways?

NMS (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which document is the starting point for all other joint strategic planning system actions?

NMS (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which document delineates the general geographical area of responsibility (AOR) for geographic combatant commanders?

UCP (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for reviewing the UCP every two years?

CJCS (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Global Force Management Implementation Guidance (GFMIG)?

To provide guidance on the deployment and employment of military forces. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the document that amplifies guidance for planning, force employment, posture, and future force development of the Armed Forces?

NMS (B) Signup and view all the answers

What document provides guidance on the use of military force in various scenarios?

CPG (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of campaign plan discussed in the text?

Tactical Campaign Plan (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Combatant Command Campaign Plans (CCPs)?

To address specific challenges within a combatant commander's area of responsibility. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Global Campaign Plans and Functional Campaign Plans?

Global Campaign Plans focus on a single priority challenge, while Functional Campaign Plans address multiple related challenges. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for directing functional campaign planning?

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements accurately describes Regional Campaign Plans?

They are designed to coordinate efforts across multiple combatant commands in response to regional threats or challenges. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Global Campaign Plans?

To coordinate efforts among multiple combatant commands in response to a single priority challenge. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Global Campaign Plans and Functional Campaign Plans?

Global Campaign Plans and Functional Campaign Plans are complementary. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key consideration for theater level planning when determining force allocation and tailoring?

Having adequate forces to simultaneously consolidate gains while maintaining the offense. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of phasing operations?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT affect the tempo of operations?

The size of the enemy force. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of transitions in military operations?

To maintain the initiative and tempo of operations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that planning can accelerate tempo in military operations?

Anticipating decisions and actions in advance. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of phasing operations?

To divide an operation into manageable parts in duration or activity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'consolidate gains' in the context of military operations?

To secure and hold captured territory or objectives. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that typically indicates a change in phase during military operations?

Enemy casualties. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of defining a military end state?

To establish a clear point in time when the military's role ends. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily responsible for determining the military end state of a campaign or joint operation?

Joint Force Commander (B) Signup and view all the answers

What key element of an operation’s end state reflects the existing state of an operational environment (OE)?

Conditions (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does a clearly defined end state promote unity of effort during an operation?

By providing a common understanding of the desired outcome. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a center of gravity in military terms?

The key element that provides strength or freedom of action. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between a center of gravity and the objective in an operation?

The center of gravity is the source of power needed to achieve the objective. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can centers of gravity change during an operation?

They can change due to shifts in enemy capabilities, resources, or morale. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the concept of centers of gravity during operational planning?

It helps commanders determine the key elements to influence or defeat. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of losing a center of gravity?

It may force a change in the enemy's ends, ways, or means. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How are decisive points and centers of gravity related?

A decisive point is a key element that affects a center of gravity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of a decisive point?

It must be a center of gravity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a center of gravity analysis?

To identify enemy weaknesses and vulnerabilities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of identifying decisive points?

It helps commanders determine the operational approach to achieve the end state. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason commanders and staffs must understand friendly and enemy strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities?

To determine the best strategies and tactics for success. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible example of a key terrain decisive point?

A large oil refinery. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why might the loss of a decisive point expose other decisive points?

It forces the enemy to shift their resources, potentially leaving other points vulnerable. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Planning and Operational Art

Operational art is a continuum from strategic direction to tactical actions, needing broad experience and knowledge.
Planning connects national objectives, operational approach, and tactical tasks.
Three levels of warfare exist: strategic, operational, and tactical, each with differing planning horizons and methods.

Strategic Level

The strategic level determines national (or multinational) strategic security objectives and uses national resources to achieve them.
Strategy is a set of ideas for using national power to achieve theater, national, or multinational objectives.
The President, Secretary of Defense, and CJCS shape the strategic direction for the military.

Strategic Guidance

Key strategic guidance documents include national strategies (like NSS), presidential directives, and strategic plans (like Unified Command Plan).
They provide direction to the armed forces, aiming for unified action.

National Strategies

National strategies, such as the National Security Strategy (NSS) and National Defense Strategy (NDS), guide national interests and security concerns.
The National Military Strategy (NMS) outlines national military objectives and how to achieve them.

Key Strategic Plans

Unified Command Plan (UCP): sets missions, responsibilities, and geographic areas for combatant commanders.
Contingency Planning Guidance (CPG): provides direction to the CJCS and commanders.
Joint Strategic Campaign Plan (JSCP): a five-year strategic plan that supports national interests.

Operational Level

The operational level plans, conducts, and sustains campaigns and major operations to achieve strategic objectives in theaters.
Operational art is cognitive approach organizing and employing forces by integrating ends, ways, and means.
Combatant commands, their components, and joint task forces plan and conduct operations at this level.

Tactical Level

The tactical level plans and executes battles and engagements to achieve tactical objectives.
Tactics involve the ordered arrangement, movement, and maneuver of forces in relation to each other.
Lower echelons (e.g., brigades) engage in tactical planning and execution.

Operational Art

Operational art integrates ends, ways, and means across all warfare levels.
It encompasses a cognitive process focused on organizing and employing forces.
This involves commanders' judgment, experience, and creativity in visualization, description, and understanding of operations.

Elements of Operational Art

End State and Conditions: Required conditions for achieving mission objectives.
Center of Gravity: Source of power in an enemy force.
Decisive Points: Key terrain or events enabling a major advantage.
Lines of Operations and Lines of Effort: Defining organizational and purpose-driven movement pathways.
Tempo: Speed and rhythm of military operations.
Phasing and Transitions: Management of actions in organized phases.
Operational Reach: The range and duration of a force's capabilities.
Basing: Location, resources, and support for military operations.
Risk Assessment: Recognizing, mitigating, and accepting uncertainties in operations.

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Description

Explore the intricate concepts of operational art and military strategy in this quiz. Understand the differences between strategic, operational, and tactical levels of warfare, and the importance of strategic guidance documents. This quiz provides a comprehensive overview of how national objectives translate into military actions.