The Military Decision

Making Process (MDMP)

in
The LRS Planning Phase

As of: 23 July 2001

 Agenda
• References
• Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) Model
• Mission Analysis and Brief
– Practical Exercise
• Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)
– Practical Exercise
• COA Development
– Practical Exercise
• COA War-gaming
– Practical Exercise
• COA Comparison
– Practical Exercise
 References
• FM 7-10 The Infantry Rifle Company

• FM 7-93 Long Range Surveillance Unit Operations

• ARTEP 7-93 MTP Mission Training Plan for the Long-Range

Surveillance Company / Detachment / Team

• FM 34-130 Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield

• FM 101-5 Staff Organization and Operations

• FM 101-5-1 Operational Terms and Graphics

 Planning Phase

• Covers the G2 conception of the mission to the final

inspection of the LRS Team.
• The success of LRS operations depends on thorough
planning, acquiring SOR and reporting in a timely
manner.
• Detailed planning ensures mission success and team
survival.
• Team Leader uses specific steps in planing LRS
missions. These procedures are comprehensive, yet
flexible.
FM 7-93
 OPORD vs. Brief-Back

• The success of the plan depends on the Team

Leader using the OPORD as his primary planning
tool.
• The brief-back is a form of rehearsal and should not
be the focus of the planning effort.

FM 7-93
 MDMP Model
MISSION ANALYSIS
ESTIMATE • CDR INTENT 2 LEVELS UP
TROOP LEADING 1. MSN ANALYSIS
PROCEDURES
• SPEC/IMPLIED TASKS
1. RECEIVE MISSION 2. *ANALYZE SIT &
2. ISSUE WARNING ORDER DEVELOP COAs
• MISSION ESSENTIAL TASK
3. MAKE TENT PLAN
4. INITIATE MOVEMENT 3. ANALYZE COAs
• RESTATED MISSION STATEMENT
5. CONDUCT RECON (War-Game)
6. COMPLETE THE PLAN METT-T
7. ISSUE OPORD 4. COMPARE COAs
MSN • Review OAKOC/MCOO
8. SUPERVISE TERRAIN
5. DECISION (OACOK) • Doctrinal Template,
ENEMY • SITTEMP
TROOPS • Enemy MPCOA, MDCOA
• Event Template
TIME
• Detailed Planning and
Operational Timelines
Planning Steps: Steps Cont.:
1. Receive the Mission 7. Compare the COAs using the COA Matrix and select the best COA
2. Conduct Mission Analysis 8. Brief the Cdr; after approval, thoroughly war game the COA to
3. Give Mission Analysis Brief to Cdr identify all contingencies and alternate plans.
4. Conduct in depth IPB and analysis of METT-T 9. Complete the plan and Issue the Team OPORD
5. Develop COAs (Reasonable, Feasible, Distinguishable) 10. Rehearse, Include rehearsals for all contingencies identified.
6. Analyze the COAs using the COA Criteria and a quick 11. Prepare for and conduct the Final Briefback
War Game. Rate each COA without comparing them yet. 12. Conduct Final Inspections/PCIs
Mission Analysis
 Mission Analysis

• Mission and Intent of Two Levels Higher

• Conduct Initial Intelligence Preparation of the
Battlefield (IPB) (MCOO and SITTEMP)
• Determine Specified and Implied Tasks
– Review CCIR (PIR, IR, SIR, SOR; FFIR; and EEFI)
– Review Guidance: COA, E&R, Abort Criteria, Critical
Events, No-Commo, etc.
• Identify Mission Essential Task(s)
• Review Assets Available
• Determine Constraints and Limitations
• Identify Critical Facts & Assumptions
 Mission Analysis
(Continued)

• Conduct Risk Assessment (Determine Acceptable

Risk)
• Determine Initial Reconnaissance Requirements and
Required Coordination
• Plan Use of Available Time
-Planning Timeline
-Operational Timeline
• Write the Restated Mission
• Conduct the Mission Analysis Briefing
 CDR’s Guidance
• Reference: ARTEP 7-93 MTP, Task 7-5-1603
– The Commander produces a five paragraph company OPORD that
must contain:
• Task Organization
• Enemy Information (Road to War, SITTEMP, EVENT TEMP)
• Mission
• Concept and intent for maneuver and supporting fires. (Possible LZs,
Areas to Avoid, COA Development and Comparison Guidance, Axis for
Infiltration, etc.)
• Fire Plan (Purpose, Priority, Allocation, Restrictions, SEAD)
• Tasks for subordinates (AVN, BRS, LNOs, etc.)
• Coordinating Instructions (Detailed planning and operational timelines,
Abort Criteria, MOPP level, rehearsal directives, ROE, etc.)
• Contingencies (Downed A/C; Vehicle Break Down; E&R; No-Commo;
Emergency MEDEVAC, Resupply, or Extraction; etc.)
 CDR’s Guidance
(Continued)
• Reference: ARTEP 7-93 MTP, Task 7-5-1603
– Five paragraph company OPORD (Continued):
• Control Measures to expedite synchronization (AO, LOA, Phase Lines,
Check Points, ACPs, CCP, NFA / RFAs, Reporting Requirements (Times
and Data), etc.)
• Critical Intelligence reporting and collection requirements (PIR, IR, SOR;
EEFI; FFIR = CCIR)
• CSS Instructions (Soldier’s Load Guidance, Caches, Transportation,
Maintenance, Replacement Parts, KIA / WIA, EPW, etc.)
• Command and Signal Information (HF / SAT Annex; E&R Frequencies
and Signals; Call Signs, Frequencies, and COMSEC for Supporting
Units, etc.)
 SAMPLE
LRS
Mission Analysis Brief
DIV MSN/INT: DET MSN/INT:

SPECIFIED TASK: IMPLIED TASK:

SOR: CCIR:

LIMITATIONS / CONSTRAINTS: FACTS/ASSUMPTIONS:

COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE:

RESTATED MISSION STATEMENT (TASK/PURPOSE):

* DENOTES MISSION ESSENTIAL TASK/SOR

Practical Exercise

Mission Analysis
Intelligence Preparation
of the
Battlefield (IPB)
 Intelligence Preparation
of the Battlefield (IPB)

A systematic approach to analyzing the enemy,

weather, and terrain in a specific geographic area. It
integrates enemy doctrine with the weather and
terrain as they relate to the mission and the specific
battlefield environment. This is done to determine
and evaluate enemy capabilities, vulnerabilities, and
probable courses of action.

FM 101-5-1
 IPB
• Define The Battlefield Environment
– Identify Significant Characteristics of the Environmental
– Identify Limits Of The Area Of Operation (AO) and Establish the
Area of Interest (AI)
– Evaluate Existing Data and Identify Gaps
– Request Additional Material
• Describe The Battlefield Effects
– Analyze The Battlefield Environment: Terrain, Weather, etc. (Build
MCOO)
– Describe the Battlefield Effects on Threat and Friendly Capabilities
and Broad COAs

FM 34-130 / 101-5
 IPB
• Evaluate The Threat
– Update Doctrinal Template
– Describe Threat Tactics And Capabilities

• Determine Threat COAs

– Identify Likely Objectives and Desired End State(T,P)
– Identify Possible COAs (SITTEMP)
– Prioritize and Evaluate COAs
– Develop COAs in Detail, as Time Allows (Event Template)

FMs 34-130 / 101-5

 IPB Process
•Evaluate AO / Identify AI
•Situation Template •Initial Intel Requirements
•Event Template Define the
•Threat Database
battlefield
•R&S Plan environment

•OAKOC
•Order of Battle •MCOO
•ID Threat Capabilities
Determine •AA Analysis
•Doctrinal Template Threat •Weather Analysis
COA’s
Describe
Evaluate
the
the
battlefield
threat
effects

FM 34-130
 Area Of Operation

A geographical area, including the airspace above,

usually defined by lateral, forward, and rear
boundaries assigned to a commander, by a higher
commander, in which he has responsibility and the
authority to conduct military operations.

FM 101-5-1
 Area Of Interest

A geographical area from which information

and intelligence are required to execute
successful tactical operations and to plan for
future operations. It includes any threat forces
or characteristics of the battlefield environment
that will significantly influence accomplishment
of the command’s mission.

FM 101-5-1
Area of Operation at Insertion
INFIL
 98
45
DShK

AO CUB

Area of Operation DShK

EXFIL

SA-18 36
10
 Describe the
Battlefield Effects
Analyze the Military Aspects of the Terrain (OAKOC), Including
the Weather’s Effects.
Product: Modified Combined Obstacle Overlay
1. Obstacles.
A. Water Obstacles: Depicted in blue.
B. Roads and Trails: Depicted in black.
C. Restricted Terrain: An area that can slow or disrupt
maneuver. Normally depicted with green or brown
diagonal lines.
 Describe the
Battlefield Effects
(Continued)
1. Obstacles (Continued).
D. Severely Restricted Terrain: An area that severely
hinders or slows movement unless some effort is made to
enhance mobility. Normally depicted with green or brown
cross-hatching.
E. Built up Areas: Usually larger than one square
kilometer. Outlined and cross-hatched in black.
2. Avenue(s) of Approach. Arrows oriented in the direction of
movement. Outlined in red.
Mobility Corridor(s): Areas where a force will be canalized
due to terrain constrictions. Outlined in red.
*** Mobility Corridors are grouped to form Avenue(s) of
Approach. ***
 Describe the
Battlefield Effects
(Continued)

3. Key Terrain. The retention or control of which affords a

marked advantage to either combatant. Depicted in purple by a
circle with a “K” inside.
4. Observation and Fields of Fire. The ability to see the threat
visually or through the use of surveillance devices. (LOS and
VAP studies).
5. Cover and Concealment. Protection from direct / indirect
fires and from observation. (Assists in identification of
defensible sites, possible routes, etc.)
 98
45

Hydrology

36
10
Roads & Trails
Restricted Areas
Built Up Areas
Avenues of Approach
Mobility Corridor
 K

K
K K
Key Terrain K
K
K

K
 98
45 K

K
K K
Key Terrain K
K
Avenues of Approach K
Restricted Areas
Hydrology

Roads & Trails K

K
36
10
 Practical Exercise

Describe the Battlefield Effects

MCOO
 IPB
Determine Threat COAs

• Doctrinal Template
– Identify threats objectives and desired end state
– Apply effects of terrain and weather
• Situation Template (SITTEMP)
• Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA)
• Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA)
• Event Template
 Doctrinal Template

The Doctrinal Template is a model based on

enemy tactical doctrine. It portrays
frontages, depths, echelon spacing, and
force composition, as well as his disposition
of combat, combat support, and combat
service support units. It portrays how the
enemy would like to fight with no constraints.

FM 101-5-1
 2x mortars positioned to
support main force and
supporting force with
overlaping cover fire.

2x SA-18 positioned
along the long axis side
of DZ supported by a PLT
HQs.

into PLT HQ / support and

2x DShK positioned
dispersed squads
along the short axis of DZ
supported by a PLT HQs.

into PLT columns

Doctrinal Template
 Company HQs

Platoon 1-3 K

Squad

SA-18
1-3 K
2-3 K 3-5 K

DShK

Mortar

Ammo Cache

Doctrinal Template
 Situation Template

The situation template is a series of

projections that portray, based on enemy
doctrine, the most probable disposition and
location of enemy forces within constraints
imposed by weather and terrain.

FM 101-5-1
 ME:
T: Retain
P: Facilitate resupply by helicopter
SE: Prevent use of FLS or DZ
T: Block
P: Prevent synchronized
effort against ME from West

SE:
T: Block
P: Prevent synchronized
effort against ME from East

SE:
T: Secure
P: Prevent use as LZ or DZ
against ME

Situation Template
Situation Template
 Event Template

Represents a sequential projection of events

that relate to space and time on the battlefield
and indicate the enemy’s ability to adopt a
particular course of action.

FM 101-5-1
 09 0600

09 0400

09 0100

08 2300

Event Template
Departure
08 2100
Practical Exercise

Determine Threat COAs

COA Development
 The NAI
(FM 34-8)

When Do We
Expect To See
Why Is It
It?
Important?
301

How Long NAI

What Do We
Do We Look? Expect To See?

NAI: A point or area along a particular avenue of approach through which enemy
activity is expected to occur. Activity or lack of activity within an NAI will help confirm
or deny a particular enemy COA. FM 101-5-1
 NAI Analysis

• Usually, the team can only observe a portion of the

NAI
• The commander must direct the team to observe a
portion of the NAI
• The team develops COAs to support the
commander’s directives / guidance
• Use the reverse planning method
– Focus on the mission essential task (SOR at NAI); Plan in
reverse from the NAI.
 COA Development
• Determine decisive point and time to focus combat power
• Determine results to be achieved at the decisive point to
accomplish the mission
• Determine the purpose to be achieved by main and supporting
efforts
• Determine the essential tasks for subordinate units to achieve
their purpose(s)
• Task organize to accomplish each mission
• Assign C2 headquarters
• Complete a generic task organization
• Establish control measures that clarify and support the
accomplishment of the assigned mission
• Prepare a COA statement and sketch.

FM 7-10
 COA Qualities

• Suitable - Must accomplish the mission and comply with the

commander’s guidance.
• Feasible - Unit must have the capability to accomplish the
mission in terms of available time, space, and resources
• Acceptable - Operational advantage gained by executing the
COA must justify the cost in resources, especially casualties.
• Distinguishable - Each COA must differ significantly from any
others. Significant differences result from task organization or
scheme of maneuver.
• Complete - A good COA positions the force for future
operations and provides the flexibility to meet unforeseen events
during execution. It also provides the maximum latitude for
initiative by subordinates.
FM 101-5
 Recommended
LRS COA Development
• Step 1 - Determine different means to build into the
COAs to make them distinguishable.
– Reconnaissance vs. Surveillance
– Number / Location of Surveillance Sites
– Locations in Relation to the NAI
– Insertion / Extraction Techniques / Platforms

• Step 2 - Divide the team and develop two or three

COAs. Provide specific development guidance to
each group.
 LRS COA Development
(continued)
• Step 3 - Begin developing each COA at the NAI and
work backwards to the insertion point.
– Pick a surveillance site that provides maximum stand off, the
best visibility of the NAI, avoids all expected enemy activity
(neutral terrain, avoids lines of drift), and has at least two
covered and concealed escape routes.
– Consider the terrain (LOS) and weather effects (on STANO
devices, site construction and occupation, communications)
– Consider what you expect the enemy to do at the NAI
(SITTEMP, MPCOA, MDCOA, Event Template)
• Step 4 - Find the most covered and concealed routes
(Primary and Alternate) from the surveillance site
away from the NAI.
 LRS COA Development
(continued)
• Step 5 - Find a hide site along the route that offers
good cover and concealment, is off natural lines of
drift, is on (neutral) terrain of no value or interest to
the enemy, is defensible for a short period of time,
and supports good communications (with higher and
the surveillance / R&S team).
• Step 6 - Find the most covered and concealed routes
(Primary and Alternate) from the hide site to possible
insertion points.
• Step 7 - Select tentative insertion points (Primary and
Alternate).
 LRS COA Development
(continued)
• Step 8 - Choose a means of insertion that minimizes
the risk of compromise. Consider two insertion COAs
(Primary and Alternate).
• Step 9 - Choose insertion route(s) from the insertion
point back to the FLOT (or RP) (AVN normally
determines cross-FLOT routes and the team
determines path from RP to LZ / PZ).
• Step 10 - Plan for exfiltration and extraction from the
NAI to the Hide to the PZ, Pick-up Point, Link-Up
Point, or Passage of Lines. Then plan back to the
DOB.
 LRS COA Development
(continued)
• Step 11 - Consider Possible Contingencies for the
COA.
• Step 12 - Complete a COA worksheet which details
(primary and alternate) surveillance sites, hide sites,
insertion points, and routes; possible contingencies;
communications plans; and a detailed operational
timeline.
 SAMPLE
COA Worksheet
OPERATIONAL TIMELINE:
INFIL TOT MVMT TIME ANGUS ACTION ON OBJ TIMES (LDR RECON, OCCUPATION, CONSTRUCTION) EYES ON TIME EYES OFF TIME EXFIL MVMT TIME EXTRACT TIME
CONCEPT OF THE OPERATION: LOGISTICS:

COMMO PLAN:
(Internal / External)
49

57
N

42

30

CONTINGENCY PLANS: RECON/SURV PLAN: LEGEND:

Practical Exercise

COA Development
Analyze / War-Game COA
 Analyze / War-Game
COA
• War-game the COAs (one at a time) against the
enemy’s MPCOA, not against each other.
• Pick one person to play the role of the enemy (Be
free thinking; Preferable an Operations NCO).
• Conduct team action--enemy reaction--team
counteraction.
• War-game actions on the object, infiltration, and
exfiltration separately. Prioritize events.
• Fine tune COAs
• Make notes of advantages and disadvantages of
each COA and any contingency plans required
 SAMPLE
War-Game Worksheet
EVENT DETECTION COMPROMISE SURV A/C
DETECTION WRONG HOT EN AT
DURING DURING OCCUP COMP BY SHOT
INFLIGHT LZ LZ EXT PZ
MOVEMENT OF SURV SITE EN PATROL DOWN
TEAM
ACTION

ENEMY
REACTION

TEAM
COUNTER

REMARKS

NOTES: 1. RECORD POTENTIAL ALTERNATE/CONTINGENCY/EMERGENCY PLANS

2. COMMO SHOULD PARTICIPATE, 1SG/LNO/OPS NCO CAN RED HAT
Practical Exercise

COA War-Gaming
 After War-Gaming,
Consider Conducting
A Mission Risk Assessment
Evaluate and Compare
COAs
 Evaluate And Compare
COAs

• After war-gaming and risk assessment, the team compares the

results of all COAs; the decision matrix is a useful tool to
evaluate and compare COAs against evaluation criteria
developed from the mission analysis and Commander’s
Guidance
• Evaluation criteria are those factors that measure effectiveness,
cause success, or result in failure.
• The criteria may change from mission to mission and may be
dependent on the mission essential task(s).
• The commander must weigh the criteria by defining and
quantifying the criteria to reflect the relative importance of each
area in which the COA is evaluated.
 SAMPLE
COA Comparison and
Decision Matrix
CRITERIA (WEIGHT) COA #1 WT’D COA #2 WT’D COA #3 WT’D

MANEUVER ( )

SURVIVABILITY ( )

OBSERVATION ( )

SIMPLICITY ( )

COMMUNICATIONS ( )

LOGISTICS ( )

TOTALS
NOTES: 1. BEST COA IS ASSIGNED THE HIGHEST NUMERICAL VALUE OF THE THREE COAs, THE BEST IS “3”
2. UNWEIGHTED TOTALS HELP DETERMINE THE BEST COA WITHOUT REGARD TO WEIGHTS
3. HIGHEST NUMBER IS MOST SUITABLE COA. HOWEVER, TEAM LEADER MAY CHOOSE ANOTHER COA BASED ON EXPERIECE
Practical Exercise

COA Comparison
 Decisions

• Team Leader delivers his COA Decision Brief to the

Commander
• Commander and Team Leader decide which COA the
team will develop into an OPORD(or combines one
or more COA’s)
• Any further major changes to the COA must have the
commander’s approval