JOINT CAMPAIGN PLANNING LESSON PLAN
JP 502: CAMPAIGN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, PART I
(Lesson 34)
LESSON THESIS:
Considering application of the facets of operational art during campaign planning increases the likelihood of success in war. Joint force commanders employ operational art to develop campaigns and operations in a unified theater of effort to attain national and multinational objectives. The facets of synergy, simultaneity and depth, anticipation, balance, leverage, timing and tempo, and operational reach are key elements of modern warfare. This lesson provides an overview of those principles applied to and used to enhance campaign planning.
LESSON OBJECTIVE(S) (LO) & SAMPLES OF BEHAVIOR (SOB):
LO 502.1 Comprehend why planning must consider the full range of activities required for conducting joint operations.
SOB 502.11 Describe the concept of operational art.
Based on strategy adopted during the crisis action planning procedures, combatant commanders design campaigns to accomplish national or multinational strategic military objectives. They plan and execute campaigns by applying operational art. How commanders apply operational art will vary with the nature of operational conditions, the nature of the strategic objectives, the time and space available in the theater, and the number and type of forces involved. (Doctrine for Joint Ops, JP 3-0, CP pg 48)
The use of the principles of operations lays the foundation of the campaign, but the true distinctiveness of each campaign is defined through the use and style in applying the various fundamental elements of operational art to the planning process. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p. 265)
When given a strategic or operational am, the JFC must effectively employ military forces of all services and coordinate any other available assets to attain strategic and/or operational objectives through the design, organization, integration, and conduct of strategies, campaigns, major engagements, and battles. Operational art translates the joint force commander’s strategy into operational design and, ultimately, tactical action, by integrating key activities at all levels of war.
The “heart of the art” for the JFC is his ability to take these assets from disparate sources, and organize and direct them to effectively attain the strategic aim.
Although much of what the JFC accomplishes is based on doctrine and procedures, campaign design demands creativity of the commander and his staff. No two operational situations are the same, and each scenario will contain different factors, threats, and resource constraints. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p. 245-6)
SOB 502.12 Explain why it is important that each facet of operational art be considered when building a campaign plan.
Why operational Art? “…History has shown repeatedly that the commander who pays careful attention to the precepts of operational art can often tip the scales of fate in his favor. Inattention to these precepts, on the other hand, almost certainly invites defeat.” (Video)
“JFCs employ operational art, in concert with strategic guidance and direction received from superior leaders, in developing campaigns and operations.” (JP 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Ops)
LO 502.2 Comprehend how key facets of operational art support campaign planning.
SOB 502.21 Describe synergy, simultaneity and depth, anticipation, balance, leverage, timing and tempo, and operational reach as facets of operational art.
SOB 502.22 Explain how synergy, simultaneity and depth, anticipation, balance, leverage, timing and tempo, and operational reach are employed by joint force commanders in developing campaigns.
Synergy. JFCs employ air, land, sea, space, and special operations forces in a wide variety of operations in war and in operations other than war. They not only attack the enemy’s physical capabilities but also its morale and will. When required to employ force, JFCs seek combinations of forces and actions to achieve concentration in various dimensions, all culminating in attaining the assigned objectives in the shortest time possible and with minimal casualties. By arranging symmetrical and asymmetrical actions, JFCs take advantage of friendly strengths and enemy vulnerabilities and preserve freedom of action for future operations. The combination of these actions results in an impact on the enemy greater than if the actions were conducted individually. Furthermore, the synergy achieved by synchronizing the actions of air, land, sea, space, and special operations forces in joint operations and in multiple dimensions enables JFCs to project focused capabilities that present no seams or vulnerabilities for an enemy to exploit. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p265-267)
Simultaneity and Depth. The concepts of simultaneity and depth are foundations of deep operations theory. The intent is to bring force to bear on the opponent’s entire structure in a near-simultaneous manner that is within the decisionmaking cycle of the opponent. The goal is to overwhelm and cripple enemy capabilities and will to resist. Simultaneity refers to the simultaneous application of capability against the full array of enemy capabilities and sources of strength. In joint force operations it contributes directly to an enemy’s collapse by placing more demands on enemy forces and functions than can be handled. Simultaneity also refers to the concurrent conduct of operations at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. JFCs should not allow an enemy sanctuary or respite.
Joint force operations should be conducted across the full breadth and depth of the operational area, creating competing and simultaneous demands on enemy commanders and resources. Operations extended in depth, in time as well as space (geographically), shape future conditions and can disrupt an opponent’s decision cycle. Depth contributes to protection of the force by destroying enemy potentials before its capabilities can be realized and employed. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p265-267)
Anticipation. Anticipation is key to effective planning. JFCs should remain alert for the unexpected and for opportunities to exploit the situation. They continually gather information by personally observing and communicating with subordinates, higher headquarters, other forces in the operational area, and allies and coalition members. To avoid surprise, JFCs monitor operations as they unfold and signal to their staff and subordinate units the actions they are to take to stay in control of events as much as possible. Monitoring assures situational awareness, a prerequisite for commanders and planners to be able to anticipate opportunities and challenges. Intelligence preparation of the battlespace (IPB) can assist JFCs in defining likely or potential enemy COAs, as well as the indicators that suggest the enemy has embarked on a specific COA. JFCs also anticipate the impact of operations and prepare for their results, such as the surrender of large numbers of opposing forces. Commanders and planners should carefully consider the information upon which decisions are being based. Where possible, multiple or redundant sources of information from various dimensions should be employed in the decision-making process (JFSCP1, NP/JP p265-267)
Balance. Balance is the maintenance of the force, its capabilities, and its operations in such a manner as to contribute to freedom of action and responsiveness. Balance refers to the appropriate mix of forces and capabilities within the joint force as well as the nature and timing of operations conducted. JFCs strive to maintain friendly force balance while aggressively seeking to disrupt an enemy’s balance by striking with powerful blows from unexpected directions or dimensions and pressing the fight (operational reach).
Even as it defeats one enemy force, the joint force prepares to turn and strike another. Preserving the responsiveness of component capabilities is central to operational art. For that reason combinations of operations and organization of the joint force should maintain or expand force responsiveness. Decentralization of authority can contribute to responsiveness by reducing the distance in time and space between decisionmakers. To assist in maintaining the balance of the force, JFCs designate priority efforts and establish appropriate command relationships. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p265-267)
Leverage. JFCs gain decisive advantage over the enemy through leverage, which can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, JFCs arrange symmetrical and asymmetrical actions to take advantage of friendly strengths and enemy vulnerabilities and to preserve freedom of action for future operations. Asymmetrical actions that pit joint force strengths against enemy weaknesses and maneuver in time and space can provide decisive advantage. In addition, synergy from the concentration and integration of joint force actions also gives JFCs decisive advantage. Leverage thus allows JFCs to impose their will on the enemy, increase the enemy’s dilemma, and maintain the initiative. Finally, dimensional superiority, isolation of the enemy, and attack on enemy strategic centers of gravity can contribute to joint force leverage. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p265-267)
Timing and Tempo. The joint force should conduct operations at a tempo and time that best exploit friendly capabilities and inhibit the enemy. As technological advancements and innovative doctrines have been applied to military requirements, the tempo of warfare has increased overime. JFCs may also vary the tempo of operations. For instance, during selected phases of a campaign, JFCs may elect to reduce the pace of operations, frustrating enemy commanders while buying time to build a decisive force or tend to other priorities in the operational area such as relief to displaced persons. During other phases, by contrast, JFCs may conduct high-tempo operations designed specifically to exceed enemy capabilities.
While JFCs may have substantial capabilities available, they selectively apply them in a manner that synchronizes their application in time, space, and purpose. With proper timing, JFCs can dominate the action, remain unpredictable, and operate beyond the enemy’s ability to react. Defining priorities assists in the timing of operations, which refers to the effects achieved as well as to the application of force. JFCs plan and conduct operations in a manner that synchronizes the effects of operations, so that the maximum benefit of their contributions is exerted on the opponent at the desired time. Although some operations of the joint force can achieve near-immediate effects, JFCs may elect to delay their application until the contributions of other elements can be brought to bear in a synchronized manner. (JFSCP1, NP/JP p265-267)
Operational Reach and Approach. Operational reach is the distance over which military power can be concentrated and employed decisively. Reach is influenced by the geography surrounding and separating the opponents. It is extended by locating forces, reserves, bases, and logistics forward, by increasing the range of weapon systems, and by improving transportation availability and the effectiveness of lines of communication and throughput. There is a finite range beyond which the joint force cannot prudently operate or maintain effective operations. Thus basing in the broadest sense is an indispensable foundation of joint operational art, directly affecting the combat power that the joint force is capable of generating by affecting such critical factors as sortie and resupply rates. In particular, the arrangement and successive positioning of advanced bases underwrites the progressive ability of the joint force to shield its components from enemy action and deliver symmetric and asymmetric blows with increasing power and ferocity. Bases are typically selected to be within operational reach of the opponent, where sufficient infrastructure is in place or can be fabricated to support the operationa and sustaining requirements of deployed forces, and where they can be assured of some degree of security from enemy attacks. Basing thus plays a vital role in determining the operational approach, which may be conceived of in terms of lines of operations.
Lines of operations define the directional orientation of the force in time and space in relation to the enemy. They connect the force with its base of operations andits objectives. A force operates on interior lines when its operations diverge from a central point and when it is therefore closer to separate enemy forces than the latter are to one another. Interior lines benefit a weaker force by allowing it to shift the mian effort laterally more rapidly than the enemy. A force operates on exterior lines when its operations converge on the enemy. Successful operations on exterior lines require a stronger or more mobile force, but offer the opportunity to encircle and annihilate a weaker or less mobile opponent. (JP 3-0, CP p. 56)
LESSON MATERIALS: (Total page count-46, video viewing-33:34 min.)
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