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MISSION COMMAND
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Doctrine - Summary
Fighting power – physical, moral and conceptual components
Manoeuvrist Approach - with its implications for: Conduct of operations Command
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Manoeuvrist Approach
Surprise
Tempo
Simultaneity
Pre-emption
Dislocation
Disruption
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Action Orientation
Observation
Decision
5RTS (A)
Command Philosophy
Timely decision-making Understanding higher commander’s intent
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Command Philosophy
Timely decision-making Understanding higher commander’s intent Responsibility to fulfil that intention:
Common doctrine Mutual trust Obedience Initiative
8RTS (A)
MISSIONCOMMAND
Command Philosophy(Tenets)
Principles
Practice
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Principles of Mission Command
Unity of effort
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The Commander’s Intent Main and Supporting Efforts Mission Statements
Achieving Unity of Effort
11RTS (A)
Orders Format Situation
En Forces Fr Forces Atts and Dets
Mission Execution
Concept of Ops Intent Scheme of Manoeuvre Main Effort
Subordinates’ missions Co-ordinating instructions
Service Support Command & Signal
12RTS (A)
Orders Format Situation
En Forces Fr Forces Atts and Dets
Mission Execution
Concept of Ops Intent Scheme of Manoeuvre Main Effort
Subordinates’ missions Co-ordinating instructions
Service Support Command & Signal
Intent
13RTS (A)
“…One part of the order I did, however, draft myself - the intention. It is usually the shortest of all paragraphs, but it is always the most important, because it states - or it should - just what the commander intends to achieve.
It is the one overriding expression of will by which every action by every commander and soldier in the army must be dominated.”
Defeat Into VictoryField Marshal Slim 1944
14RTS (A)
Commander’s Intent - OverviewA succinct summary of how he proposes to achieve his purpose - articulated through effects, so subordinates understand the links between Main and Supporting Efforts. Also a description of how he thinks achieving his task will meet his given purpose (his unique contribution to his superior’s intent)
15RTS (A)
Commander’s Intent - Overview
A succinct summary of how he proposes to achieve his purpose - articulated through effects, so subordinates understand the links between Main and Supporting Efforts. Also a description of how he thinks achieving his task will meet his given purpose (his unique contribution to his superior’s intent)
16RTS (A)
Orders Format Situation
En Forces Fr Forces Atts and Dets
Mission Execution
Concept of Ops Intent Scheme of manoeuvre Main Effort
Subordinates’ missions Co-ordinating instructions
Service Support Command & Signal
17RTS (A)
Orders Format Situation
En Forces Fr Forces Atts and Dets
Mission Execution
Concept of Ops Intent Scheme of manoeuvre Main Effort
Subordinates’ missions Co-ordinating instructions
Service Support Command & Signal
Main Effort
18RTS (A)
Main Effort
The activity which the commander considers crucial to the success of his mission at that time.
19RTS (A)
Orders Format Situation
En Forces Fr Forces Atts and Dets
Mission Execution
Concept of Ops Intent Scheme of manoeuvre Main Effort
Subordinates’ missions Co-ordinating instructions
Service Support Command & Signal
20RTS (A)
Orders Format Situation
En Forces Fr Forces Atts and Dets
Mission Execution
Concept of Ops Intent Scheme of manoeuvre Main Effort
Subordinates’ missions Co-ordinating instructions
Service Support Command & Signal
Subordinates’ Missions
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Mission Statements
Task(s) + Purpose
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23RTS (A)
Caesar
Maximus
Archers & artillery
Roman Infantry
Roman Cavalry
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Mission Statements
Own Mission: Task(s) + Purpose
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Mission Statements
Own Mission: Task(s) + Purpose
Subordinate 1: Task + Purpose
Subordinate 2: Task + Purpose
Subordinate 3: Task + Purpose
The missions assigned to subordinates, together, fulfil the mission assigned to the commander.
26RTS (A)
Mission Statements
Own Mission: Task + Purpose
Subordinate 1: Task + Purpose
Subordinate 2: Task + Purpose
Subordinate 3: Task + Purpose
There is a common thread to the subordinates’ purposes, so that when taken together they fulfil the Commander’s mission
27RTS (A)
Caesar
Maximus
Archers & artillery
Roman Infantry
Roman Cavalry
T: pacify the German tribes
P: bring peace to the Empire’s northern borders T: defeat militant
German tribes
P: bring peace to the northern borders
T: kill German tribal leader and his bodyguard
P: cause the culmination of the militant tribes
T: force German forces out of the woods
P: enable infantry to engage the enemy in the open
T: fix enemy forces in the open
P: enable Cavalry, on the main effort, to attack the enemy from the rear
Main Effort
Supporting Effort
Supporting Effort
28RTS (A)
The Commander’s Intent Main and Supporting Efforts Mission Statements
Achieving Unity of Effort
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Maximus’ Orders to his Legions (1)
Mission: defeat militant German tribes in order to bring peace to the northern borders
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Maximus’ Orders to his Legions (1)
Mission: defeat militant German tribes in order to bring peace to the northern borders
Intent: We will force the enemy out of the forest so we can fix him in the open. Once he is fixed, we will surprise him by an attack in the rear, striking to destroy his leadership - the decisive element of the operation. Once his leadership is destroyed, I believe we will break the will of the German tribes, thus eventually bring peace to the Northern borders
31RTS (A)
Maximus’ Orders to his Legions (2)
Main Effort: killing of enemy leadership by the cavalry
32RTS (A)
Maximus’ Orders to his Legions (2)
Main Effort: killing of enemy leadership by the cavalry
Scheme of Manoeuvre: Cavalry preparatory move to FUP in cover, signal once in position. Artillery and archers then force enemy out of the forest using fire. Infantry advance into open ground, to lure the enemy further into the open, and then fix him. Cavalry then strike from the forest into the enemy’s rear, gaining shock and surprise, to kill the enemy leadership. Once enemy is reduced to a disorganised rabble, massacre as many as possible. Enslave the rest.
33RTS (A)
Maximus’ Orders to his Legions (3)
Subordinate Missions Archers and Artillery
T: force German forces out of the woods
P: enable infantry to engage the enemy in the open Infantry
T: fix enemy forces in the open
P: enable Cavalry, on the main effort, to attack the enemy from the rear
CavalryT: kill German tribal leader and his bodyguard
P: cause the culmination of the militant tribes
34RTS (A)
Principles of Mission Command
Unity of effort Decentralisation (Freedom of Action)
35RTS (A)
“…In time [commanders at all levels] developed to a marked degree a flexibility of mind and a firmness of decision that enabled them to act swiftly to take advantage of sudden information or changing circumstances without reference to their superiors,
[This] requires in the higher command a corresponding flexibility of mind, confidence in subordinates, and the power to make its intentions clear through the force.”
FM Slim
36RTS (A)
Principles of Mission Command
Unity of effort Decentralisation [ Mutual] Trust
37RTS (A)
“... He, the soldier, must have confidence in his leaders and know that whatever dangers and hardships he is called upon to suffer, his life will not be flung away.”
FM Slim
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Principles of Mission Command
Unity of effort Decentralisation Trust Mutual understanding
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ADVANCE TO CONTACT
ATTACK
BLOCKCLEAR
DEFEAT
DEFEN
D DELAY
DELAY
DENY
DESTROY
HOLDPENETRATION SECURE
SEIZE
Language of Mission Command
40RTS (A)
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Principles of Mission Command
Unity of effort Decentralisation Trust Mutual understanding Timely and effective decision-making
42RTS (A)
Direction(Received and
Given)
Consultation
Sideways
Consideration Execution
TIME
NOW UpwardsTHE DECISION
POINT
DownwardsThe
DecisionReview Review
43RTS (A)
“…One of the most difficult things we have to do in war is to recognize the moment for making a decision. Information comes in degrees. Shall we make a decision now or shall we wait a little longer?
It is usually more difficult to determine the moment for making a decision than it is to formulate the decision itself.”
Adolph Von Schell
44RTS (A)
MISSIONCOMMAND
Command Philosophy
Principles
Practice
45RTS (A)
Mission Command in Practice
Orders – intentions, missions and context
What effect – and why Appropriate resources allocated Minimum control – maximum freedom Subordinates decide ‘how’ to achieve
their mission
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“… Never tell people how to do things,
tell them what to do
and they will surprise you with their ingenuity”
Patton
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Summary
Freedoms and speed of action
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Summary
Freedoms and speed of action Intents and Effects Resources Minimum control measures
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Summary
Freedoms and speed of action Intents and Effects Resources Minimum necessary control measures Principles:
Unity of Effort Decentralisation Trust Mutual Understanding Timely and Effective Decision-making
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QUESTIONS?
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