M448 Mission Command Conclusion Pe-1 Pe-2 Initial Post

Posted: August 25th, 2021

M448 Mission Command Conclusion Pe-1 Pe-2 Initial Post

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M448 Mission Command Conclusion Pe-1 Pe-2 Initial Post

1. Conclusion: What Must A Commander Do Ensure His Visualization Is Understood?

            Commanders are critical in enhancing command and control. They execute this through a combination of the science of control and the art of command (Department, 2010). Commanders provide a conducive environment for control and command as well as fostering good relationship and trust among the forces. Besides, commanders train their subordinates to adopt command and control as well as use the command and control. Visualization is the core mental process that the commander employs in decision-making (Department, 2010). It is used in determining the appropriate way in which the forces can be taken from their current position or state to the final position that shows the accomplishment of the mission. The dynamic nature of the military operations renders the visualization of the command to be continuous. Hence, to ensure that the commander’s visualization is understood, the commander has to undertake various steps, as discussed in the following. The following figure displays some of the visualization operations that the commander engages to ensure that visualization is well understood:

Figure 1: Commander’s visualization operations

From figure 1, the commander’s visualization starts with situational understanding, which is then followed bythe construction of a path that could get the forces from the commanding point to the destination or the end of the intent. It starts with planning, which is then implemented throughout the process of operation up to when the forces attain the intended mission (Department, 2010). Visualization is a complicated aspect of command. It is upon the commander to ensure that staffs are capable of detailing the acquired information and effectively analyze it to support the operation. Commanding information can be technologically received or attained through human-led collection methods. The aim of processing the data is meant to sift out irrelevant information and provide the commander with the needed information that would help arrive at the desired decisions. The cleaned report is then integrated with the commander’s experience, knowledge, and intuitive feeling to visualize the operations. In this way, adescription of the commander’s intent, planning guidance, and commanders’ critical information requirement (CCIR) (Wallace, 2008). The commanding knowledge is sourced from commanders’ experience or through exposure to war-gaming that helps gain a view on understanding relationships between warring forces.

Subsequently, once a mission is received, the commander undertakes to develop the initial visualization, which is continually confirmed or modified in operation. Here, various methods, such as the running estimates of the staff, the fundamental tactical concepts, judgment, and experience, are used in enhancing a better understanding of visualization (Wallace, 2008). These methods determine the attainment of the desired intent. Thus, to clearly understandthe commander’s visualization, the process requires not only the knowledge of the commander but also their commitment and experience as well as the ability to make the judgment of the terrain and enemy capability.

• Operation Problem Statement

            The problem statement in the case is to defend and defeat the attacks from the enemy, prolong the enemy’s offensive success, economize the forces and nurture existing conditions to favor offensive operations. Typically, defensive operations alone cannot attain the intended objective in the case (Wallace, 2008). It will need creating conditions that allow counteroffensive operations to enable forces to gain the desired initiative, denying the enemy the south of the PL RED sector while ensuring that the bridge at IMISHLI is adequately protected. The following are the critical planning factors to provide that defensive mechanism yields desired goals;

1. Preparation – this involves ensuring that the defense has required strengths. In this case, the defending force should arrive at the target sector, and the bridge before the enemy arrives. This serves to ensure that they adequately prepare by conducting ground studying and select the appropriate positions to enable mass firing against a rational approach.
2. Security – this encompasses securing the forces by conducting security and intelligence operations as well as protection of the troops. Through security operations, the enemies are denied a clear understanding of the location of friendly forces, weaknesses, and strengths of the forces (Wallace, 2008).
3. Disruption – this involves disrupting the attackers’ tempo and synchronizing with actions that are established to prevent the forces from unleashing massive combat power.
4. Massing effects – the forces then seek to ensure that enough massing is made elsewhere rather than directly into the defensive forces. This involves the position behind obstacles and firing to reduce the risks.
5. Flexibility – the defending forces should also be flexible in terms of plans, which should focus on in-depth strategies, the ability to change positions efficiently and the utilization of reserves.

Operational Problem Worksheet

1. What is your true purpose?The true goal is to defend and protect the bridge at IMISHLI as well as ensure that enemy forces are denied access to the south of PL RED within 24 hours.
2. What is your estimate of the threat?The threat is estimated at 90%.
3. What is the assessment of your capabilities? The capabilities of the defending troops are enough to sustain the defensive against the enemy for 24 hours. Besides, the available resources are mainly the sufficiently equipped forces with the supplement of mechanized equipment and CAS sorties. The troops can also move to specified locations to accomplish the intended purpose.
4. What is the duration of your operations, and how does time affect the outcome? : The operation is estimated to take 24 hours. However, the extended period is likely to influence the ability of the defensive forces to sustain and forestall enemies’ threats due to limited resources (Department, 2010).
5. How does the terrain in your area of operation enhance or hinder operations? : The presence of natural and human-made obstacles within the terrain scape will provide an excellent opportunity to prolong and economically weaken the enemy attacking power. They will also affect the nature of combat undertaken by the defending forces.
6. What is the impact of the city or the population on your mission?Civilians’ way of life is likely to be affected, and they are potential victims of the harms that emerge because of the combat. For instance, they may not be able to adequately engage in their daily activities, get food or water due to the war.

References

Department. (2010). The Operations Process the Official U.S. Army Field Manual Fm 5-0. City: Gardners Books.

Wallace, W., S. (2008). Operations: Field Manual 3-0; Headquarters, Department of the Army. DIANE Publishing.