EPME4210AA Operations EOC: Exam Questions With Answers | 100% Correct

EPME4210AA Operations EOC: Exam Questions With Answers | 100% Correct. Which of the five dimensions of operational culture relates to water, food, land, shelter, and fuel? physical environment x.) Your unit is deployed in the Middle East. Which one of the following military operations affects the social structure? when approaching a group of locals, you speak to the youngest person first x.) Which characteristic of the nature of war is defined as “that which exists through battle in the form of unknowns about the enemy, environment, and even the friendly situation?” Uncertainty x.) What are the characteristics of mental forces as it pertains to war? ability to make effective estimates, calculations, and decisions ability to devise tactics and strategies ability to group complex battlefield situations x.) Your unit is deployed to Africa. The success of your military operation depends on developing relationships with local nationals. Your unit is invited to a village celebration and offered plates of bambarra and crocodile. As you enjoy the celebration, you pay attention to the interaction of the villagers, note to whom you are introduced, and pay attention to which individuals appear to be in positions of authority and/or respect. Which dimension of operational culture are you observing? social structure x.) Your unit is deployed in the Middle East. Which one of the following military operations affects the economic dimension of operational culture? You make routine visits to the same local shop, unintentionally avoiding business with surrounding merchants. x.) Which term is defined as “those aspects of culture that influence the outcome of military operations- as well as the military actions that influence the culture of an area of operation?” operational culture x.) Which of the following leadership activities prepare your Marines to continue to perform when faced with fear? developing unit cohesion and self-confidence of individuals within the unit earning respect and trust of subordinates x.) what is the objective of war? to impose our will on our enemies x.) What characteristics are included when defining the term “moral forces?” forces of psychological nature ethics x.) Which of the five dimensions of operational culture relates to the growing of crops and the herding of animals to good pastures? economy x.) Which of the following catalysts for change involves the creative ability to devise a practical solution? art of war x.) which of the five dimensions of operational culture includes both “formal” and “informal” structures? political structure x.) which of the following are characteristics of the nature of war? select all that apply uncertainty, unpredictability, friction x.) your unit is deployed, participating in counterinsurgency operations. …. you note who offers the tea and observe who serves the tea… social structure x.) what is the definition of operational culture? those aspects of culture that influence the outcome of military operations – as well as the military actions that influence the culture of an area of operations x.) which of the following is described as a major catalyst for change in the advancement of war? science x.) the objective of war is to impose our will on our enemies x.) which of the following are examples of physical characteristics of war? select all that apply seized physical objectives, supplies x.) your unit is deployed to the middle east. which one of the following operations affects the cultural belief system? during the ramadan holiday, you offer food to local children during daylight hours x.) which one of the following is the definition of war? a violent clash of interests between or among organized groups, characterized by the use of military force? Warfighting Nature of War - War Defined War is defined as a violent clash of interests between or among organized groups – characterized by the use of military force. The essence of war is a violent struggle between two hostile, independent, and irreconcilable wills, each trying to impose itself on the other. “War is the continuation of policy by other means.” - Carl von Clausewitz, 19th Century Military Theorist The violent clash of interests could involve nations, international coalitions or factions within or outside of an existing state with its own political interests, and the ability to generate organized violence on a scale sufficient to have significant political consequences. Nature of War - Objective of War The objective in war is to impose our will on our enemy. War may range from intense clashes between large military forces – sometimes backed by an official declaration of war – to subtler, unconventional hostilities that barely reach the threshold of violence. War is a violent clash of interests between organized groups. Our objective is to impose our will on our enemy Characteristics of the Nature of War Effects of Limited Information on Squad When faced with limited information, the following five characteristics of the nature of war should be taken into account: ● Friction ● Uncertainty ● Unpredictability ● Fluidity ● Disorder Friction Friction is the difficult factors you experience while accomplishing your mission in an operational environment. These factors may be external such as the terrain, weather, or effective enemy fire and tactics. They may also be self-induced such as lack of clearly defined goals, lack of coordination, unclear or complicated plans, or poor command relationships. External Friction Natural terrain: You and your Marines are on foot patrol, your route requires you to move crosscompartment over hilly terrain, and the vegetation is thick. Weather: You are carrying a full combat load and it is 115 degrees Fahrenheit. You are extremely hot, the equipment is getting heavier, but taking off the equipment is not an option. Enemy action: Nothing induces friction like effective incoming enemy fires. (Self-Induced) Internal Friction Lack of a clearly defined goal: You are on a convoy when your convoy commander gets lost. Your maps are not up-to-date. Lack of coordination: You offer your assistance because you have taken this route before, but your driver is not interested in hearing what you have to say. Unclear or complicated plans: Your team was not briefed on convoy operations. Complicated technologies: You have new equipment and your team hasn't had time to train using this equipment and it's not working properly in theater. Complex task organization and/or command relationships: You cannot contact higher headquarters for assistance. Minimizing Friction Experience: Only through experience can we come to appreciate the force of will necessary to overcome friction, and to develop realistic appreciation for what is possible in war and what is not. Strength of Mind: One essential means to overcome fiction is the will; we prevail over friction through persistent strength of mind Focus on the Enemy: While striving to overcome the psychological and physical effects of friction, we must simultaneously attempt to raise our enemy’s friction to a level that weakens their ability to fight. Training: Similarly, while training should attempt to approximate the conditions of war, we must realize it can never really fully duplicate the level of friction of real combat. Uncertainty and Unpredictability Another attribute of war is uncertainty. We might argue that uncertainty is just one of many sources of friction, but because it is such a wideranging trait of war, we will study it in detail. All actions in war take place in an atmosphere of uncertainty – or the fog of war. Uncertainty Defined Uncertainty exists throughout battle in the form of unknowns about the enemy, environment, and even the friendly situation. While you try to reduce these unknowns by gathering information, you must realize that the very nature of war prevents you from eliminating them. Actions in war are often based upon incomplete, contradictory, or even inaccurate or false information. Unpredictability Defined War is unpredictable. At best, you can hope to determine possibilities and probabilities. By judging probability, you make an estimate of your enemy‘s plans and act accordingly. Having said this, you realize that it is precisely those actions that seem unlikely, that often have the greatest impact on the outcome of war. Uncertainty: Elements Three elements that may cause uncertainty. Nonlinearity Here, nonlinearity refers to situations in which causes and effects are disproportionate. Minor incidents or actions can have decisive effects. Outcomes of battles can hinge on the actions of a few individuals, and issues can be decided by incidents so minute as to figure histories simply as anecdotes. "From C. S. Forrester's classic Rifleman Dodd, 'Dodd accidentally became separated and wanted nothing more than to return to his unit, but his actions against the French as he attempted to reunite with the 95th Foot Rifle Brigade impacted the very outcome of the Peninsular campaign. His actions had an impact significantly greater than his rank and position would normally allow because of an error.'" Risk By its nature, uncertainty involves the estimation and acceptance of risk. Risk is part of war and is involved in every mission. Risk is also related to gain; greater gain often requires greater risk. On December 25 1776, George Washington ordered a remnant of his army to cross the ice clogged Delaware River to land on the shores of British-occupied New Jersey. After crossing, the Americans launched a surprise attack against the encamped, celebrating enemy forces defeating them, and causing their surrender. This successful surprise attack provided a much-needed victory in the American’s struggle for freedom. Chance Part of uncertainty is the element of chance. Chance consists of changes over which we and our enemy have no control. The potential for chance, and the inability to prevent chance from impacting on plans and actions, creates friction. Chance favors neither us nor our enemy. When viewed that way, chance is not only a threat, but also an opportunity we must be ready to take advantage of. During the Antietam campaign of the Civil War, union troops in the wake of moving confederate forces found a lost copy of confederate general Robert E. Lee’s operation order laying in a field. This order directed the confederate force to divide in their western Maryland operations. When presented to union commander George McClellan, he held the key to the destruction of the divided confederate force. However, McClellan moved slowly and his opportunity dwindled as Lee was able to pull his army together at the last minute and save it Effects of Limited Information on Decision-Making As you receive information, how does it affect your decisions? Fluidity In war, no event can be viewed in isolation. Each event is shaped by the former, and shapes the conditions of the latter – creating a continuous, fluctuating flow of activity. Since war is a fluid phenomenon, its conduct requires flexibility of thought. Fluidity: Tempo of War It is physically impossible to sustain a high tempo of activity indefinitely, although clearly there will be times when it is advantageous to push your Marines and equipment to the limit. The tempo of war will fluctuate from periods of intense combat, to periods in which activity is limited to information gathering, replenishment, or redeployment. Disorder Disorder in war is a lack of order regular arrangement that causes confusion. Even the best plans and orders become disordered in the heat of battle. As the situation changes continuously, you are forced to improvise again and again until finally your actions have little, if any, resemblance to the original scheme. Remember, your plans may go out the window, but as long as you have the commander's intent and purpose, you will still be able to accomplish your mission. Characteristics of the Nature of War In war, the best we can hope for is to try to minimize external and internal friction; reduce unknowns by gathering information (uncertainty); hope to determine possibilities and probabilities (unpredictability); see “isolated” events in the context of the larger, more fluid whole (fluidity); and think of battle in a nonlinear way, in order to provide protection (disorder). Complexity and the Human Dimension System War is a complex phenomenon that is not guided by the actions or decisions of a single individual. Rather, each individual operates within a complex system – like battalions, platoons, squads, or fire teams. A military action is not the monolithic execution of a single decision by a single entity, but necessarily involves near-countless independent but interrelated decisions and actions being carried out simultaneously throughout the organization. Complexity is what makes the human dimension so central to war. Without human will, war would be more predictable but would require no human morals to influence the unlikeliest outcomes of war. Human Dimension War is a clash between opposite, opposing wills; the human dimension is central in war. It is the human dimension which infuses war with its intangible moral factors. No degree of technological development or scientific calculation will diminish the human dimension in war. "Positions are seldom lost because they have been destroyed, but almost invariably because the leader has decided in his own mind that the position cannot be held." – A.A. Vandergrift Elements of a Larger Whole A division comprises regiments, a regiment comprises battalions, and so on, all the way down to fire teams, which are composed of individual Marines. Each element is part of a larger whole and must cooperate with other elements for the accomplishment of the common goal. At the same time, each has its own mission and must adapt to its own situation, all the while dealing with its own friction, uncertainty, and disorder. Leadership on the Human Will Human will, reinforced by strong leadership, is the driving force of all action in war. Strong leadership can overcome fear by: Developing unit cohesion, esprit, and the self-confidence of individuals within the unit demonstrates strong leadership. Earning respect and trust of subordinates, peers, and leaders and being unwilling to violate this trust demonstrates strong leadership. Physical, Moral, and Mental Forces Characteristics To understand the Marine Corps' philosophy of warfighting, we need an appreciation for war's physical, moral, and mental characteristics and demands. The physical characteristics of war are generally easily seen, understood, and measured: ● Equipment capabilities ● Supplies ● Seized physical objectives ● Force ratios ● Losses of material or life ● Terrain lost or gained ● Prisoners or materials captured The moral characteristics are less tangible. The term “moral”, as used here, is not restricted to ethics. However, ethics are certainly included, moral pertains to those forces of a psychological – rather than tangible – nature. Moral forces are difficult to grasp and impossible to quantify. War also involves a significant mental, or intellectual, component. Mental forces provide the ability to grasp complex battlefield situations; to make effective estimates, calculations, and decisions; to devise tactics and strategies; and to develop plans The Evolution of War - Catalyst for Change War is timeless and ever-changing. While the basic nature of war stays the same, the methods we use evolve continuously. Like war itself, our approach to warfighting must evolve. If we cease to refine, expand, and improve our profession, we risk becoming outdated, stagnant, and defeated. We must know the process of change, for the warrior who first takes advantage of a development in the science, art, or dynamics of war, gains the advantage. Science The major catalyst of change is in the advancement of technology. These advancements change the landscape of the battlefield. For example, machine guns changed how far and fast Marines can shoot, and aircrafts added vertical mobility and new dimensions to the battlefield. The changes in technology will drive the decision in the art of war. Art Another part of the conduct of war falls under the realm of art, which is the employment of creative or intuitive skills. The art of war requires the intuitive ability to grasp the essence of a unique military situation, and the creative ability to devise a practical solution. It involves conceiving strategies and tactics and developing plans of action to suit a given situation. In WWII combat, Marines armed with flamethrowers developed a technique called “corkscrew and blowtorch” to destroy Japanese emplacements. Supporting fire would suppress enemy positions while the flamethrowers approached to within effective range. Then, flame was used to neutralize the position. Dynamics War is fundamentally a dynamic process of human competition, requiring both the knowledge of science and the creativity of art, but driven ultimately by the power of human interaction and will. The dynamic of human interaction includes fortitude, perseverance, boldness, esprit, and other traits not explainable by art or science that are so essential in war. Creative Uses of Resources to Accomplish Mission You have limited resources. How will you use these to your advantage? Violence and Danger The combination of the art, science, and dynamic of war enables us to inflict violence and danger on our adversaries – which allows us to impose our will. Violence results in bloodshed, destruction, and suffering. The presence of violence can produce fear, which can be overcome by courage. Since war is a violent affair, danger is always present. Fear, the natural reaction to danger, has a significant impact on the conduct of war. Everyone feels fear. Fear contributes to the corrosion of will. Courage and Fear Courage is the ability to overcome fear. Experience under fire and realistic training can generally increase confidence, by lessening the mystique of combat. Strong leadership, which earns the respect and trust of subordinates, can also limit the effects of fear. Leaders should develop unit cohesion, esprit and the self-confidence of their unit members. In this environment, a Marine's unwillingness to violate the respect and trust of peers can motivate them to overcome personal fear. The Strategic Corporal “The strategic corporal is a Marine who has mastered Marine basic skills; is tactically and technically proficient; is morally and ethically adept; savvy in both language and culture; mentally agile; physically fit; prepared to act and lead in a decentralized environment; and is empowered by the trust and confidence of his seniors and subordinates.” General Charles C. Krulak 31st Commandant Operational Culture Operational culture is those aspects of culture that influence the outcome of military operations – as well as the military actions that influence the culture of an area of operations (AO). Operational culture is an approach to culture that can be used to make sense of any AO, and allows Marines to assess a set of basic cultural factors that will affect military operations, regardless of where they operate. Whereas Marines usually receive cultural awareness training prior to deployment, operational culture is more broad – and helps prepare Marines to work anywhere around the globe. To be effective, Marines should ideally be trained in both cultural awareness focused on the specific AO where they are headed, as well as in general principles of operational culture Cultural awareness is the state of understanding that cultural differences and similarities exist between cultures, and that these differences have an effect on values, beliefs, and behavior. Being familiar with regionally-specific information helps Marines avoid offending local nationals by violating their culture, language, morals, and customs. Therefore, the more you can learn about the culture of a specific region, the more likely you are to conduct yourself as a Marine in a way that fosters mutual respect. Fostering Mutual Respect There are four ways in which Marines can foster mutual respect with those of different cultures: Recognize a culture's characteristics: You may not always know what the purpose is behind the customs and traditions of every culture; however, whether you know it or not, there is always a reason for it. Keeping this in mind is the beginning of developing your own cultural awareness. Some of the purposes behind cultural traditions include: ● Having a functional or practical purpose ● Aiding in survival ● Giving a spiritual meaning ● Reinforcing societal roles ● Supporting historical meaning Respect a culture's characteristics: Once you begin to understand the purpose for customs and traditions, it becomes easier to respect those customs. Developing an appreciation for other culture's differences, from the culture you were shaped by, is another phase to developing your own cultural awareness. Becoming aware of other cultures does not mean that you have to conform to or embrace their customs; it simply means that you understand that the members of that culture find value in their culture and that you can respect that. Realize the effects of cultural diversity: As you become more culturally aware, you may start to believe that cultural differences can make communication complicated. Living within our native cultures, we take for granted that communication is second-nature. However, when we travel, differences between cultures may create barriers. For example, female engagement teams (FETs) give female Marines a chance to create rapport between male Marines, and the locals of foreign areas of operations. FETs may also conduct outreach like health care and education for local women. Be willing to learn: In addition to becoming culturally aware for the sake of being culturally sensitive, the other reason Marines aim to become culturally aware, is because doing so helps us plan our operations. During the planning and executing phases of an operation, it is important to remember that a willingness to learn about other cultures can only strengthen your chances of having a successful mission. Five Dimensions of Operational Culture Physical Environment When preparing an operational plan, you need to understand the unique relationship the community has with its physical environment. Understanding the relationship the community has with its environment will help you determine the features of the physical environment that are used by people in their daily lives to survive in that AO. Your awareness of the way people use the environment will also increase the range of options available to Marine forces entering an area. Example: While driving on a mission from an urban center to an agricultural zone, the road changes from paved to dirt. Instead of driving on the dirt road to diminish the chances of hitting an IED, you drive where there are no tread marks from other vehicles. However, in doing this, you unknowingly drive over newly planted crops, and thus destroy a large local food source. Water: Will the operation prevent people from getting clean water? Land: Will our actions restrict people from using their land to grow crops or raise animals? Food: Will the operation restrict access to food (such as shipping items to market)? Shelter: Will our actions limit local people’s access to building materials or or their homes? Fuel: Will our actions restrict access to fuel and power? Economy All world civilizations have economic systems or infrastructures to obtain food and goods they need to survive. Sometimes, military operations interfere with local economies and prevent people from acquiring these resources. As a result, affected individuals may begin to resent and even operate against interfering military forces. When entering a foreign AO, it is important for you to evaluate how people earn their daily living. Marines need to ask, "Will our actions restrict or prevent people from being able to support and feed their families?" Example: On a routine and repetitive mission, you frequently shop at the same local store because it is convenient, and the shopkeeper seems nice. As a result, other shops do not earn your revenue. Furthermore, you are invariably showing favoritism to the shopkeeper you purchase from. Unbeknownst to you, the city council of this small town gives this shopkeeper additional grant money because Marines shop there – and none to other shop owners. This financial assistance allows one shop to expand, while other shops are potentially forced to close. Farming: Do our actions prevent farmers from growing their crops? Animal Herding: Do our operations prevent people from getting their animals to good pastures? Selling at the Market: Do our actions restrict people from bringing items to the market? Running Businesses: Do our operations harm the ability for local businesses to stay open? Physical Environment - Economy - Social Structure - Political Structure - Belief Systems Social Structure All cultures have a way of organizing their societies by structure. Understanding the organization of the social structure for the AO you are operating in is a key component to navigating relationships with locals, as well as overall mission success. The way in which a group organizes status and power is referred to as social structure. There are many different types of social structure organization. Social structure is often manifested in roles, status, and power. In the Marine Corps, for example, social structure is assigned by rank. People are often unaware of the social rules of their group, and may have difficulty explaining these rules to outsiders. Therefore, you should exercise patience when learning about the appropriate actions in another culture’s social structure. It is important that Marines ask who is in charge and who has the power to influence decisions in their AO. You need to ask, “Who are the individuals or groups that are in power in this AO?” Example: You are asked to hand out school supplies to children in an urban center. You observe that the majority of the kids you offer supplies to are wearing red. You do not hand out many supplies to many of the kids who are wearing yellow. You do not realize the red-colored clothing represents affiliation with a powerful family and now you appear to be supporting that affiliation Social Structure by Factor Gender Most cultures have very specific gender roles – expected behaviors based on gender. Marines should ask, "Which gender should I address first in this culture?" Gender is an important factor in the social structure because it determines what people are allowed or not allowed to do within their cultures. Despite the differences between genders, it is important for Marines to assume that both genders in a culture may play meaningful roles in an operation. Applying this knowledge can minimize the challenges Marines have when operating in foreign AOs. Age Marines should ask, "Should I approach the oldest person or a younger person in this group first?" Age is an important factor in the social structure because the age that an individual is considered an adult varies from one culture to another. It is important for Marines to learn the cultural attitudes regarding acceptable roles for different age groups. In some instances, younger Marines had difficulty negotiating with elders in a culture group that respects and reveres the elderly. The negotiating process improved with older looking Marines. Class Marines should ask, "Should I interact with the wealthiest person in this group?" Class is more difficult to recognize than age or gender because its definition varies from one culture to another. In most instances, class is related to wealth but can consist of components such as education, occupation, parentage, and region of origin. Ethnicity Marines should ask, "Which ethnic group should I speak to first?" Ethnicity is the identification of an individual with a unique subgroup in a society that is distinguished by social symbols, behaviors, traditions, etc. It is important for Marines to identify the different ethnic groups in their AO because ethnic conflict underlies many conflicts in the world today. Understanding the various ethnic groups in a region is often central to operational success. Tribal Membership Marines should ask, "Should I approach a particular tribal leader first?" Tribal memberships have become a concern to the U.S. military because of experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. The success of the Al Anbar Awakening is due, in part, to our ability to work with tribal sheikhs. Religious Membership Marines should ask, "Which religious group should I speak to first?" We can define religious membership as being part of a group of people that considers itself united by religious faith. Members will share special traditions and rituals that they celebrate at specific times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter for Christians. They may speak and study a unique language and often religious groups have a spiritual connection to a physical place, such as Mecca for Muslims. Political Structure Most cultures have a system that determines the leadership structure and decision-making process. Political structure involves the way that power and leadership are apportioned to the members of a society. The AO you are in will determine which of the two types of political structures you will encounter – formal, informal, or both. In most AOs, Marines will be expected to work alongside community leaders within the AO. Some of these leaders (such as mayors or imams) have official or formal authority. Other leaders have great authority, but it is unofficial. For example, an Afghan warlord may rule over an area and have great power, but this leadership is informal and not recognized by the official government. It is important that Marines quickly figure out who has the power and authority in their AO, as this knowledge can affect military operations in a positive manner Formal political structure: Marines should ask, "Who has the official right to run this place?" Formal leadership consists of designated individuals who are considered "official" in a community such as mayors, presidents, general officers, etc. Informal political structure: Marines should ask, "Who actually gets things done around here?" Informal leadership consists of individuals who command without a recognized position such as warlords, religious leaders, sheikhs, etc Example You are in a community with multiple ethnic groups. You assume the governmentappointed official is the power broker in the town. Be mindful that in different ethnic groups, one might follow the government-appointed official, while other ethnic groups might follow a religious leader or the head of a prominent family or tribe. Belief Systems Most cultures have a shared set of beliefs that unite the group. Some beliefs are based in religion, but religion is only one part of a culture‘s belief system. Belief systems also include ideology, patriotism, superstitions, icons and heroes, and other guiding beliefs. To be effective in your AO, you should learn about and be respectful of the beliefs and traditions. Some of the traditions you will want to consider include religion, superstitions, holidays, and rituals. Religion Marines should ask, “Are there particular religious beliefs or taboos (such as not eating pork) that I need to respect? Superstitions Marines should ask, “Are there major superstitions that might prevent local people from doing certain things?” Holidays Marines should ask, “Are there major holidays that will affect our routines?” Rituals Marines should ask, “Are there specific rituals regarding food, washing, etc. that we should respect?” Cultural Factors’ Effect on Military Operations Regardless of your AO, there will always be cultural factors that can potentially affect your military operation. Being aware of the five dimensions of operational culture – physical environment, economy, social structure, political structure, and belief systems – can make the difference between a failed and a successful outcome to your mission. For example, if the AO you are operating in is a region where the majority prescribe to the Islamic faith, it would behoove you to make note of the specific aspects of the traditional Muslim holiday of Ramadan, which may impact how your unit carries out its mission. Example Your unit is deployed in Asia. The success of your military operation depends on developing relationships with the local nationals during meetings. First there is a cup of tea, then some pleasant conversation with little mention of business. Attempting to be aware of cultural differences, you sense that your hosts prefer to get to know others before discussing business. Beyond this custom, what other cultural factors may affect your unit's military operation? Physical Environment The type of tea that is served can either indicate that this Asian community has plenty of this type of crop, or rather the opposite – that they only serve this type of tea to special guests. This information can give you physical environment information Economy Noticing what people do for work on the drive to your meeting can help you identify how locals make a daily living. Military operations should respect this local economy and people's source of livelihood Social Structure Paying attention to things like who offers the tea and who serves it can give you social structure information. This information can shape how you conduct yourself in the business meeting. Political Structure Paying attention to seating position while drinking tea, and who does most of the decisionmaking, can give you political structure information. This information can shape who you address in the meeting