FM 5-0, The Operations Process - Federation of American Scientists

Appendix B
B-157. The staff continually assesses the risk to friendly forces from catastrophic threats, seeking a
balance between mass and dispersion. When assessing the risk of weapons of mass destruction to friendly
forces, planners view the target that the force presents through the eyes of an enemy target analyst. They
consider ways to reduce vulnerability and determine the appropriate level of mission-oriented protective
posture consistent with mission accomplishment.
B-158. The staff identifies the required assets of the warfighting functions to support the concept of
operations, including those needed to synchronize sustaining operations. If requirements exceed available
assets, the staff recommends priorities based on the situation, commander’s intent, and planning guidance.
To maintain flexibility, the commander may decide to create a reserve to account for assets for unforeseen
tasks or opportunities.
B-159. The commander can modify any COA based on how things develop during the war game. When
doing this, the commander validates the composition and location of the decisive operation, shaping
operations, and reserve forces. Control measures are adjusted as necessary. The commander may also
identify situations, opportunities, or additional critical events that require more analysis. The staff performs
this analysis quickly and incorporates the results into the war-gaming record.
B-160. An effective war game results in the commander and staff refining, identifying, analyzing,
developing, and determining several effects.
B-161. An effective war game results in the commander and staff refining—
• Or modifying each COA, including identifying branches and sequels that become on-order or
be-prepared missions.
• The locations and times of decisive points.
• The enemy event template and matrix.
• The task organization, including forces retained in general support.
• Command and control requirements, including control measures and updated operational
graphics.
• CCIRs and IRs—including the last time information of value—and incorporating them into the
ISR plan and information management plans.
B-162. An effective war game results in the commander and staff identifying—
• Key or decisive terrain and determining how to use it.
• Tasks the unit retains and tasks assigned to subordinates.
• Likely times and areas for enemy use of weapons of mass destruction and friendly chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear defense requirements.
• Potential times or locations for committing the reserve.
• The most dangerous enemy COA.
• The most dangerous civilian reaction.
• Locations for the commander, command posts, and INFOSYS nodes.
• Critical events.
• Requirements for support of each warfighting function.
• Effects of friendly and enemy actions on civilians and infrastructure, and how these will affect
military operations.
• Or confirming the locations of named areas of interest, target areas of interest, decision points,
and IRs needed to support them.
• Analyzing, and evaluating strengths and weaknesses of each COA.
• Hazards, assessing their risk, developing controls for them, and determining residual risk.
• The coordination required for integrating and synchronizing interagency, host-nation, and
nongovernmental organization involvement.
B-32 FM 5-0 26 March 2010