CGSC/ILE Comp Study Terms X100
Operational Design - ANSWER-the conception and construction of the intellectual framework that
underpins joint operations plans and their subsequent execution?
What is Operational Art? - ANSWER-Operational Art is used to envision conditions that define the
desired end state and how to establish those conditions. it helps CDRs to understand, visualize, and
describe complex problems and develop a broad operational approach. it syncs our tactical actions with
strategic objectives.
What are the 12 principles of Joint Operations? - ANSWER-Objective Offensive Mass Maneuver Economy
of Force Unity of Command Security Surprise Simplicity Restraint Perseverance Legitimacy
What is the PPBE Process? - ANSWER-It is the primary system to manage the Army's financial systems.
Its purpose is to provide civilian control and strategic direction to DOD and the US Army.
What are the 4 steps in the Material Acquisition Process? - ANSWER-1) Initial Capabilities Document
(ICD)
2) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)
3) Capabilities Development Document (CDD)
4) Capabilities Production Document (CPD)
What is the difference between prescriptive and descriptive doctrine? - ANSWER-Prescriptive doctrine
must be followed to comply with law, common language, control measures, reports, while descriptive
doctrine leaders should apply judgement with the OE and mission variables in mind and deviate when
need and justified.
What are the elements of the ethical triangle? - ANSWER-Principles: Act in accordance with the
established values and principles. Virtues: Golden Rule; Do unto others as you would have them do to
you. Consequences: Do the greatest good for the greatest number.
,What are the 5 Phases of the Army Force Development Process? - ANSWER-1) Develop Capabilities 2)
Design Organizations 3) Develop Organizational Models 4) Determine Authorizations 5) Document
Organization Authorizations
Commander's Planning Guidance - ANSWER-Describe the OE. Describe the problem. Describe the
operational approach. Give the CDR's Initial Intent.
What are the elements of system's prespective? - ANSWER-RAFT - Relationships, Actors, Functions,
Tension.
Mission Command as a Warfighting Function - ANSWER-It is the related tasks and mission command
systems that support the commander's exercise of authority and direction.
Decision Point - ANSWER-a point in space or time the commander or staff anticipate making a key
decision concerning a specific course of action.
Decisive Operation - ANSWER-the operation that directly accomplishes the mission. It determines the
outcome of a major operation, battle, or engagement. The decisive operation is the focal point around
which commanders design an entire operation.
Three operational frameworks - ANSWER-Decisive-Shaping-Sustaining. Deep-Close-Security. Main Effort-
Supporting Effort.
What is IPB? - ANSWER-the systematic process of analyzing of METT-TC in the AI to determine their
effect on operations.
What is JIPOE? - ANSWER-a systematic approach used by intelligence personnel to analyze the adversary
and other relevant aspects of the operational environment.
The 4 Steps to IPB - ANSWER-1) Define the OE. 2) Describe the Environmental Effects on Operations. 3)
Evaluate the Threat. 4) Determine Threat/Adversary COAs.
,Characteristics of the Defense - ANSWER-Disruption, Flexibility, Maneuver, Mass/Concentration,
Operations in Depth, Preparation, Security
Primary Defensive Tasks - ANSWER-Area Defense, Mobile Defense, Retrograde
Leadership - ANSWER-The Army defines leadership as "the process of influencing people by providing
purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission, and improve the organization." Within
this definition, leaders influence the organization through positional and personal power in order to
achieve compliance and commitment.
Clausewitz Trinity - ANSWER-Reason (the government), chance (the military), and passion (the people)
Concept of friction in war - ANSWER-Danger, physical effort, and ambigous information
Center of Gravity (doctrine) - ANSWER-The source of power that provides moral or physical strength,
freedom of action, or will to act.
Center of Gravity (theory) - ANSWER-The hub of all power and movement, on which everything
depends; The CoG's movement and direction govern the rest.
The purpose of CoG Analysis - ANSWER-Help JFCs and staffs analyze friendly and adversary sources of
strength as well as weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Operational Art - ANSWER-A deliberate process designed to Understand and Visualize the Environment
in order to develop a strategy. It is a vision that links tactical actions to strategic objectives.
Operational Methodology - ANSWER-Understand the strategic direction. Understand the OE.
Understand the problem.
Elements of Operational Design - ANSWER-Termination, Military End State, Objectives, Effects, CoG,
Decisive Points, LOO/LOEs, Direct & Indirect Approach, Anticipation, Operational Reach, Culmination,
Arranging Operations, Forces & Functions, Phasing
, Critical Capabilities - ANSWER-verb; considered crucial enablers for a COG to function as such, and are
essential to the accomplishment of the adversary's assumed objective(s)
Critical Requirements - ANSWER-noun; the conditions, resources, and means that enable a critical
capability to become fully operational
Critical Vulnerability - ANSWER-aspects or components of critical requirements that are deficient and
can be targeted
Decisive Point - ANSWER-a geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function that, when
acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage
ULO - ANSWER-how the Army seizes, retains, and exploits the initiative to gain and maintain a position
of relative advantage in sustained land operations
Four Foundations of ULO - ANSWER-Begins and ends with the initiative. Executed through DA. By means
of Army Core Competencies. Guided by Mission Command.
Operational Initiative - ANSWER-Is setting or dictating the terms of action throughout the operation
Personal Initiative - ANSWER-The willingness to act in the absence of orders, when existing orders no
longer make sense, or the unforeseen arises
Philosophy of Mission Command - ANSWER-the exercise of authority and direction by the commander
using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander's intent to empower agile
and adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations
Initiative in DA - ANSWER-Initiative gives all operations the spirit, if not the form, of the offense.
Initiative is used to gain a position of advantage that degrades and defeats the enemy throughout the
depth of an organization.
Initiative in CAM - ANSWER-Commanders compel the enemy to respond to friendly actions
