Read/ discussion/ 3 responses
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Operational Environment. In this lesson, we discuss how to analyze the environments in which the Army operates, now and in the future. At the end of this lesson, you will have gained a working knowledge on how to analyze the operational environment and the role it plays in Unified Action.
1
Operational Environment
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Operational Environment. In this lesson, we discuss how to analyze the environments in which the Army operates, now and in the future. At the end of this lesson, you will have gained a working knowledge on how to analyze the operational environment and the role it plays in Unified Action.
2
Terminal Learning Objective
Action: Understand and analyze the Operational Environment
Conditions: As a leader, using an organizational-level leadership perspective in a DL self-paced environment, given references, practical exercises, and discussions.
Standards: IAW ADP 3-0, APD 5-0, ADP 6-0, FM 4-02
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3
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4
Operational Environment
Conditions
Circumstances
Influences
…a composite of all critical factors that affect how the job is done and how decisions are made.
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WHAT IS THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT?
An operational environment is a composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander. In other words, an operational environment is the combination of all critical factors that affect how we do our job and how we make decisions.
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Operational Environment
Levels of consideration:
Strategic
Operational
Tactical
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WHAT IS THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT?
At the strategic level, leaders develop an idea or set of ideas for employing the instruments of national power (diplomatic, informational, military, and economic) in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater, national, and multinational objectives.
The operational level links the tactical employment of forces to national and military strategic objectives, with the focus being on the design, planning, and execution of operations using operational art.
Finally, the tactical level of warfare involves the employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other. The levels of warfare assist commanders in visualizing a logical arrangement of forces, in allocating resources, and in assigning tasks based on conditions within their operational environment.
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Operational Environment
Instability
Persistent Conflict
Urbanization
Globalization
Tech advances
Failed/failing states
Instability
tendency of things to change rapidly and with little warning
Persistent conflict
protracted confrontation among actors willing to use violence
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Urbanization, globalization, technological advances and failed or failing states can affect land operations and drive instability in an operational environment and a continuing state of persistent conflict.
Today’s operational environment is characterized by instability and persistent conflict. Instability refers to the tendency of things to change, often rapidly and with little warning. The Army defines persistent conflict as the protracted confrontation among state, nonstate, and individual actors that are increasingly willing to use violence to achieve their goals.
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Operational Environment
Attempts to influence U.S. decision makers
Disrupt force deployment activities
Impede joint force freedom of movement and action
Disrupt the electromagnetic spectrum
Army commanders must prepare for operations across all domains
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Enemies are developing the capability to effect multiple domains at a speed that will impact ongoing operations.
Enemy operations in the information and cyberspace environments will attempt to influence U.S. decision makers and disrupt any force deployment activities.
Land-based threats will attempt to impede joint force freedom of movement and action across all domains, disrupt the electromagnetic spectrum, hinder the information environment, and challenge human perceptions.
Just as the enemy will attempt to present multiple dilemmas to land forces from the other domains, Army commanders must seize opportunities across multiple domains to enable their own land operations, as well as the operations of our unified actions partners in the other domains.
8
Operational Environment
CAPABILITY = INTENT
RESTRAINT
Peer and near peer threats
Nuclear and chemical capabilities
Large-scale ground combat
Large-scale ground combat operations =
sustained operations across corps and divisions
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Some peer threats have nuclear and chemical weapons capabilities and the ability to employ such weapons in certain situations.
However, capability does not always equal intent to use, and it is generally presumed that most would use restraint.
Preparation and planning that takes nuclear and chemical weapons capabilities into account is of paramount importance in any confrontation with an adversary armed with them.
Understanding threat nuclear and chemical weapons doctrine is important, particularly during large-scale ground combat operations.
Large-scale ground combat operations can occur below the nuclear threshold, and they are not synonymous with total war.
Large-scale ground combat operations are sustained combat operations involving multiple corps and divisions.
Planning for large-scale ground combat operations against enemies possessing nuclear weapons must account for the possibility of their use against friendly forces.
Successful operations against nuclear and chemically capable peer threats require units prepare to react to the employment of those capabilities and operate in contaminated environments.
9
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To cope with an operational environment, Army forces conduct Unified Land Operations through Decisive Action and guided by Mission Command. An operational environment evolves as each operation progresses. Army leaders use operational variables to analyze and understand a specific operational environment, and they use mission variables to focus on specific elements during mission analysis.
The AHS plan must not only conform to the tactical commander’s concept of operation and scheme of maneuver, it must also be in consonance with the combatant commander’s theater engagement strategy so that any humanitarian activities conducted are not done haphazardly and are part of the regional strategy for the AO. (ADP 3-0)
10
P M E S I I – P T
M E T T –T C
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When military planners describe the operational environment, they do so in terms of operational variables. Operational variables are broad aspects of the operational environment that affect campaigns and major operations. The eight operational variables that characterize the operational environment are political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time (PMESII-PT)
Small unit leaders perform troop leading procedures (TLP) to plan and prepare for operations. One of the procedures in TLP is developing a tentative plan, which includes an informal mission analysis. Mission analysis looks at the assigned mission in terms of mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations. These are mission variables and can be remembered with the memory aid METT-TC. METT-TC focuses a leader’s thinking and ensures that all relevant aspects of the situation are considered during the development of a plan. As an NCO, you likely have some experience using METT-TC in your decision-making.
How these variables interact in a specific situation, domain (land, maritime, air, space, or cyberspace), area of operations, or area of interest describe a commander’s operational environment but do not limit it. No two operational environments are identical, even within the same theater of operations, and every operational environment changes over time. Because of this, Army leaders consider how evolving relevant operational or mission variables affect force employment concepts and tactical actions that contribute to the strategic purpose. (ADP 3-0)
Detailed analysis of these factors, to determine the military significant effects, results in intelligence upon which the commander can make informed decisions.
11
Unified Action
Unified Land Operations
Mission Command
Hey battle. Do you have time to help me answer a question?
Sure.
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Message
4:30
_____ is the simultaneous execution of offense, defense, stability, and defense support of civil authorities across multiple domains to shape operational environments.
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question?
Sure.
|||
Message
4:30
_____ is the simultaneous execution of offense, defense, stability, and defense support of civil authorities across multiple domains to shape operational environments.
Unified Action.
That is the wrong answer. I will consult ADP 3-0, thanks anyway.
Try Again
13
question?
Sure.
|||
Message
4:30
_____ is the simultaneous execution of offense, defense, stability, and defense support of civil authorities across multiple domains to shape operational environments.
Unified land operations
Sergeant, thank you. I got the question right!! ttyl
Continue
14
question?
Sure.
|||
Message
4:30
_____ is the simultaneous execution of offense, defense, stability, and defense support of civil authorities across multiple domains to shape operational environments.
Mission Command
That is the wrong answer. I will consult ADP 3-0, thanks anyway.
Try Again
15
military
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
Operational Variables
(PMESII-PT)
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Political. This variable describes the distribution of responsibility and power at all levels of governance—formally constituted authorities, as well as informal or covert political powers. (Who is the tribal leader in the village?)
Medical Aspect: Health status of population; public health issues; accessibility to healthcare; nutritional status of the population
Military. This variable includes the military and paramilitary capabilities of all relevant actors (enemy, friendly, and neutral) in a given operational environment. (Does the enemy in this particular neighborhood have antitank missiles?)
Medical Aspect: development of medical infrastructure; level of training of military medical personnel; medical capabilities to include trauma; dental care services; blood banking capabilities; medical logistics; behavioral health; veterinary care for military working dogs
Economic. This variable encompasses individual and group behaviors related to producing, distributing, and consuming resources. (Does the village have a high unemployment rate?)
Medical Aspect: When the Army Health System planner examines the economic factors of a nation or region, it is important to determine what influence it has on how much money is expended in the health sector (both private and public) as this will affect health care, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals availability.
Social. This variable includes the cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup within an operational environment and the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of society members. (Who are the influential people in the village—for example, religious leaders, tribal leaders, warlords, criminal bosses, or prominent families?)
Medical Aspect: Age, gender, and genetics affect how individuals are affected by disease and existing environmental factors. Religion affects how people view medical intervention; it can affect how a person will comply with medical treatment regimens and whether they will accept recommended treatments (such as the use of blood transfusions). Medical personnel should develop a guide for asking medical questions in the local language dialect.
Information. This variable describes the nature, scope, characteristics, and effects of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information. (How much access does the local population have to news media or the Internet?)
Medical Aspects: Availability of mass communication enablers for public health warnings, alerts, and information. • Telephones. • Televisions. • Radios. • Newspapers/periodicals. • Computers/e-mail.
Infrastructure. This variable comprises the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. (Is the electrical generator in the village working?)
Medical Aspects: Number of medical providers (by category). Numbers of primary, secondary, and tertiary medical treatment facilities. Status of waste disposal. Sanitation practices and standards (availability of toilets, showers, and bathing facilities).
Physical Environment. This variable includes the geography and man-made structures, as well as the climate and weather in the area of operations. (What types of terrain or weather conditions in this area of operations favor enemy operations?)
Medical Aspects: Are brick and mortar structures available for use as medical treatment facilities? Climate and weather effects on— • Disease vectors. opography and hydrology considerations include— •Character and types of injuries to be encountered. •Natural barriers to medical evacuation. •Lines of patient drift. •Suitable for farming and for grazing animals.
Time. This variable describes the timing and duration of activities, events, or conditions within an operational environment, as well as how the timing and duration are perceived by various actors in the operational environment. (For example, at what times are people likely to congest roads or conduct activities that provide a cover for hostile operations?)
Medical Aspect: Time affects not only the provision of medical care, but also may affect the types of diseases and injuries which may occur. Short duration operations require emphasis on rapidly treating Soldiers with traumatic injuries, while longer duration operations require emphasis on disease prevention and the management of chronic medical conditions.
16
military
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
Power at all levels of government
ex. Who is the tribal leader in the village?
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Healthcare
political
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Political. This variable describes the distribution of responsibility and power at all levels of governance—formally constituted authorities, as well as informal or covert political powers. (Who is the tribal leader in the village?)
Medical Aspect: Health status of population; public health issues; accessibility to healthcare; nutritional status of the population
17
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
military
Military and Paramilitary capabilities
Medical Aspect:
Medical Infrastructure
Medical capabilities
Dental care services
Veterinary care
Does the enemy have anti tank missiles?
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Military. This variable includes the military and paramilitary capabilities of all relevant actors (enemy, friendly, and neutral) in a given operational environment. (Does the enemy in this particular neighborhood have antitank missiles?)
Medical Aspect: development of medical infrastructure; level of training of military medical personnel; medical capabilities to include trauma; dental care services; blood banking capabilities; medical logistics; behavioral health; veterinary care for military working dogs
18
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
military
economic
Medical Aspect:
Influence of money in the health sector
Medical equipment
Pharmaceuticals
Behavior related to production, distribution, and consumption of resources
Unemployment rate?
economic
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Economic. This variable encompasses individual and group behaviors related to producing, distributing, and consuming resources. (Does the village have a high unemployment rate?)
Medical Aspect: When the Army Health System planner examines the economic factors of a nation or region, it is important to determine what influence it has on how much money is expended in the health sector (both private and public) as this will affect health care, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals availability.
19
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
military
economic
social
Cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup = Values, beliefs, and customs
Medical Aspect:
Demographics (age, gender, genetics) provide insight to potential diseases
Religion affects how people view medical intervention
Religious or tribal leaders
Warlords
Prominent families
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Social. This variable includes the cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup within an operational environment and the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of society members. (Who are the influential people in the village—for example, religious leaders, tribal leaders, warlords, criminal bosses, or prominent families?)
Medical Aspect: Age, gender, and genetics affect how individuals are affected by disease and existing environmental factors. Religion affects how people view medical intervention; it can affect how a person will comply with medical treatment regimens and whether they will accept recommended treatments (such as the use of blood transfusions). Medical personnel should develop a guide for asking medical questions in the local language dialect.
20
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
military
economic
social
information
Medical Aspect:
Mass communication enablers for public health warnings, alerts and information
Nature, scope, characteristics, and effects of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information
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Information. This variable describes the nature, scope, characteristics, and effects of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information. (How much access does the local population have to news media or the Internet?)
Medical Aspects: Availability of mass communication enablers for public health warnings, alerts, and information. • Telephones. • Televisions. • Radios. • Newspapers/periodicals. • Computers/e-mail.
21
Physical environment
time
political
military
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Medical Aspect:
-Number of medical providers, medical treatment facilities
-Sanitation practices
Basic facilities, services, and installations needed for a functioning society - Ex. Is the electrical generator in the village working?
Are toilets available?
Showers?
Bathing facilities?
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Infrastructure. This variable comprises the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. (Is the electrical generator in the village working?)
Medical Aspects: Number of medical providers (by category). Numbers of primary, secondary, and tertiary medical treatment facilities. Status of waste disposal. Sanitation practices and standards (availability of toilets, showers, and bathing facilities).
22
time
political
military
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
Medical Aspect:
Brick and mortar structures
Topography and hydrology
Geography and man-made structures
Climate and weather
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Physical Environment. This variable includes the geography and man-made structures, as well as the climate and weather in the area of operations. (What types of terrain or weather conditions in this area of operations favor enemy operations?)
Medical Aspects: Are brick and mortar structures available for use as medical treatment facilities? Climate and weather effects on— • Disease vectors. Topography and hydrology considerations include— •Character and types of injuries to be encountered. •Natural barriers to medical evacuation. •Lines of patient drift. •Suitable for farming and for grazing animals.
23
political
military
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
Medical Aspect:
Affects types of diseases and injuries
Short duration > rapid treatment
Long duration > disease prevention and management
How timing and duration are perceived by various actors
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Time. This variable describes the timing and duration of activities, events, or conditions within an operational environment, as well as how the timing and duration are perceived by various actors in the operational environment. (For example, at what times are people likely to congest roads or conduct activities that provide a cover for hostile operations?)
Medical Aspect: Time affects not only the provision of medical care, but also may affect the types of diseases and injuries which may occur. Short duration operations require emphasis on rapidly treating Soldiers with traumatic injuries, while longer duration operations require emphasis on disease prevention and the management of chronic medical conditions.
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B
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Operational Variable in which religion and genetics are considered
A
B
N
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F
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Political. This variable describes the distribution of responsibility and power at all levels of governance—formally constituted authorities, as well as informal or covert political powers. (Who is the tribal leader in the village?)
Medical Aspect: Health status of population; public health issues; accessibility to healthcare; nutritional status of the population
Military. This variable includes the military and paramilitary capabilities of all relevant actors (enemy, friendly, and neutral) in a given operational environment. (Does the enemy in this particular neighborhood have antitank missiles?)
Medical Aspect: development of medical infrastructure; level of training of military medical personnel; medical capabilities to include trauma; dental care services; blood banking capabilities; medical logistics; behavioral health; veterinary care for military working dogs
Economic. This variable encompasses individual and group behaviors related to producing, distributing, and consuming resources. (Does the village have a high unemployment rate?)
Medical Aspect: When the Army Health System planner examines the economic factors of a nation or region, it is important to determine what influence it has on how much money is expended in the health sector (both private and public) as this will affect health care, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals availability.
Social. This variable includes the cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup within an operational environment and the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of society members. (Who are the influential people in the village—for example, religious leaders, tribal leaders, warlords, criminal bosses, or prominent families?)
Medical Aspect: Age, gender, and genetics affect how individuals are affected by disease and existing environmental factors. Religion affects how people view medical intervention; it can affect how a person will comply with medical treatment regimens and whether they will accept recommended treatments (such as the use of blood transfusions). Medical personnel should develop a guide for asking medical questions in the local language dialect.
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Operational variable in which dental care and medical capabilities are considered
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N
O
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D
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X
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Political. This variable describes the distribution of responsibility and power at all levels of governance—formally constituted authorities, as well as informal or covert political powers. (Who is the tribal leader in the village?)
Medical Aspect: Health status of population; public health issues; accessibility to healthcare; nutritional status of the population
Military. This variable includes the military and paramilitary capabilities of all relevant actors (enemy, friendly, and neutral) in a given operational environment. (Does the enemy in this particular neighborhood have antitank missiles?)
Medical Aspect: development of medical infrastructure; level of training of military medical personnel; medical capabilities to include trauma; dental care services; blood banking capabilities; medical logistics; behavioral health; veterinary care for military working dogs
Economic. This variable encompasses individual and group behaviors related to producing, distributing, and consuming resources. (Does the village have a high unemployment rate?)
Medical Aspect: When the Army Health System planner examines the economic factors of a nation or region, it is important to determine what influence it has on how much money is expended in the health sector (both private and public) as this will affect health care, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals availability.
Social. This variable includes the cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup within an operational environment and the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of society members. (Who are the influential people in the village—for example, religious leaders, tribal leaders, warlords, criminal bosses, or prominent families?)
Medical Aspect: Age, gender, and genetics affect how individuals are affected by disease and existing environmental factors. Religion affects how people view medical intervention; it can affect how a person will comply with medical treatment regimens and whether they will accept recommended treatments (such as the use of blood transfusions). Medical personnel should develop a guide for asking medical questions in the local language dialect.
26
military
economic
social
information
infrastructure
Physical environment
time
political
Mission Variables
(METT-TC)
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Notes IAW FM 3-0
Mission variables are fundamental in developing a course of action (COA) for a given operation. They describe characteristics of the area of operations, focusing on how they might affect a mission.
AHS planners use mission variables to determine the impact they might have on medical operations.
27
civil considerations
time
troops & support
terrain & weather
Power at all levels of government
ex. Who is the tribal leader in the village?
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Health
enemy
mission
Mission:
-higher headquarters’ mission
-commander’s intent
-higher headquarters’ concept of operations
Medical Aspect:
-Flexible, responsive support plan
-understand the tactical mission and purpose
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Mission. Examine the following information as to the affects on the mission: higher headquarters’ mission and commander’s intent; higher headquarters’ concept of operations; specified, implied, and essential tasks; constraints.
Medical Aspect: To develop a flexible and responsive support plan, the AHS planner must have a clear understanding of the tactical mission, the purpose, and the tasks to be performed and rationale for accomplishing those actions. This includes the specific mission of supporting the AHS unit.
28
mission
civil considerations
time
troops & support
terrain & weather
Power at all levels of government
ex. Who is the tribal leader in the village?
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Health
enemy
Enemy:
-composition
-disposition
-strengths
-COA
Medical Aspect:
-weapons = types of wounds likely to see
-indicate medical supply quantity needed
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Enemy. Leaders need to know about the enemy’s composition, disposition, strengths, recent activities, ability to reinforce, and possible COAs. Much of this information comes from higher echelon headquarters and must be refined to the level of detail required by the unit to continue with plan development.
Medical Aspect: The enemy weapons systems will indicate the types of wounds which U.S. forces may experience (conventional weapons, blast, CBRN, or improvised weapons [such as punji sticks used in Vietnam that resulted in countless numbers of infected wounds and improvised explosive devices used in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom]) and give an indication on the types and quantities of medical supplies that will be required.
29
enemy
mission
civil considerations
time
troops & support
terrain & weather
Terrain and weather:
analyze aspects of terrain
OAKOC
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Health
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Terrain and Weather. Leaders analyze the five military aspects of terrain expressed in the memory aid of OAKOC:
observation and fields of fire,
avenue of approach,
key terrain, obstacles, and
cover and concealment.
Medical Aspect: The AHS planner must develop contingency plans for all types of weather scenarios, changes in topography due to weather (flooding, thawing, or freezing), trafficability/nontrafficability of evacuation routes, availability of resources (rotary-wing aircraft may be grounded due to visibility issues, sandstorms, or other weather phenomenon).
30
terrain & weather
Power at all levels of government
ex. Who is the tribal leader in the village?
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Health
enemy
mission
civil considerations
time
troops & support
Troops and Support
Personnel strength
Support elements
Medical Aspect:
-Consider at-risk population in broad context
*failure to consider all resources will have adverse effect
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Troops and Support available. This is one of the most important aspects of mission analysis. We must determine our combat potential in terms of personnel strength and support elements. Realistically determine all available resources which includes troops attached to, or in direct support of, the unit.
Medical Aspect: The AHS planner must not only consider the traditional populations which require support (such as U.S. forces or multinational forces) but must also determine the population at risk in a more broad context. If the AHS planner does not anticipate an increase in nontraditional populations supported, the diversion of AHS resources can adversely impact the delivery of health care to our U.S. forces.
31
troops & support
terrain & weather
Power at all levels of government
ex. Who is the tribal leader in the village?
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Health
enemy
mission
civil considerations
time
Medical Aspect:
-consider continuum of care
-time frame for treatment and evacuation
Time:
Time necessary for preparation
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Time. Leaders must be aware of the time it takes under such conditions to prepare for certain tasks. Monitor the time available.
Medical Aspect: Army Health System planners also view time in relationship to the continuum of care and timeframes required to treat and evacuate patients. For example, if an FST is to operate on a seriously injured Soldier, the FST will not be able to displace and move for at least six hours, as the Soldier will require a period of time to become hemodynamically stable following surgery if he is to survive the rigors of evacuation.
32
time
troops & support
terrain & weather
Power at all levels of government
ex. Who is the tribal leader in the village?
Medical Aspect:
Population Health Status
Public Health Issues
Accessibility to Health
enemy
mission
civil considerations
Medical Aspect: analyze local and regional medical aspects in any given AO
Influence of manmade infrastructure, civilian institutions, and populations in AO
Civil considerations
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ARMY MEDICINE STARTS HERE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
Civil Considerations. Civil considerations are the influence of manmade infrastructure, civilian institutions, and activities of the civilian leaders, populations, and organizations within an area of operations on the conduct of military operations (ADP 5-0).
Medical Aspect: The AHS planner must always analyze the local and the regional medical aspects in any given AO.
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Under which mission variable are the types of wounds caused by enemy weapons considered?
ADP 3-0, 31JUL19
Terrain and Weather
Troops and Support
Enemy
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UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
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Wrong Answer. Try Again
Try Again
ADVANCED LEADER COURSE
ARMY MEDICINE STARTS HERE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
False. METT-TC is a tool that enables Army leaders to synthesize operational information and local knowledge relevant to their missions and tasks in a specified AO.
PMESII-PT is the analysis of the operational environment which provides relevant information for senior commanders to frame operational problems.
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Congratulations! That is correct!
Enemy weapons systems will indicate the types of wounds which U.S. forces may experience and give an indication on the types and quantities of medical supplies that will be required.
Continue
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ARMY MEDICINE STARTS HERE
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UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
Enemy. Leaders need to know about the enemy’s composition, disposition, strengths, recent activities, ability to reinforce, and possible COAs. Much of this information comes from higher echelon headquarters and must be refined to the level of detail required by the unit to continue with plan development.
Medical Aspect: The enemy weapons systems will indicate the types of wounds which U.S. forces may experience (conventional weapons, blast, CBRN, or improvised weapons [such as punji sticks used in Vietnam that resulted in countless numbers of infected wounds and improvised explosive devices used in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom]) and give an indication on the types and quantities of medical supplies that will be required.
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Conclusion
Commanders utilize a combination of the operational and mission variables to analyze and describe the operational environment. The understanding of the operational environment assists the commander with executing and driving the operations process.
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U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
The complex and dynamic nature of an operational environment makes determining the relationship between cause and effect difficult and contributes to the friction and uncertainty inherent in military operations. Commanders must continually assess their operational environments and re-assess their assumptions. Commanders and staffs use the Army design methodology, operational variables, and mission variables to analyze an operational environment to support the operations process.
When you understand the operational environment, you are better able to understand why things occur, what sorts of things to expect, and you can get a better idea of the consequences of your actions in that environment. These are especially important considerations in today’s world of nearly instant, inexpensive communications and adaptive enemies with an information warfare focus.
Congratulations! You have completed the Operational Environment Lesson.
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Questions?
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U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
Congratulations! You have completed the Operational Environment Lesson. When you understand the operational environment, you are better able to understand why things occur, what sorts of things to expect, and you can get a better idea of the consequences of your actions in that environment. These are especially important considerations in today’s world of nearly instant, inexpensive communications and adaptive enemies with an information warfare focus.
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Operational Environment
ADVANCED LEADER COURSE
ARMY MEDICINE STARTS HERE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
Operational Environment. In this lesson, we discuss how to analyze the environments in which the Army operates, now and in the future. At the end of this lesson, you will have gained a working knowledge on how to analyze the operational environment and the role it plays in Unified Action.
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