Joint Metoc Handboo - IHMC Ontology and Policy Management

2-JTF Formation and Planning
military option should be prepared. The crisis assessment phase ends with a strategic
decision by the NCA to return to pre-crisis situation or to have military options
developed for consideration and possible use.
• Phase III - COA Development. The COA development phase implements an NCA
decision or CJCS planning directive to develop military options. The CJCS issues a
planning guidance directive to the supported commander directing the preparation of
COAs. Normally the directive will be a CJCS WARNING ORDER. The directive
establishes command relationships and identifies the mission and any planning
constraints. In response to the directive, the supported commander develops and
analyzes COAs. Joint operation plans are reviewed for applicability and used when
needed. Supporting commanders, subordinate joint force commanders, and component
commanders begin TPFDD development. USTRANSCOM reviews the proposed
COAs and prepares deployment estimates. The supported commander analyzes the
COAs and submits his recommendations to the NCA and the CJCS. This phase ends
with the submission of the supported commander’s estimate.
• Phase IV - COA Selection. The focus of this phase is on the selection of a COA by the
NCA and the initiation of execution planning. The CJCS reviews and evaluates the
COAs provided in the supported commander’s estimate and prepares recommendations
and advice for consideration by the NCA. The NCA selects a COA and directs that
execution planning be accomplished. Upon the NCA decision, the CJCS issues a CJCS
ALERT ORDER implementing the NCA decision. The ALERT ORDER describes the
COA in sufficient detail to allow the supported commander and other members of the
JPEC to conduct the detailed planning to deploy forces. In some cases, a PLANNING
ORDER initiates the execution of planning activities before the NCA selects a COA.
• Phase V - Execution Planning. An NCA approved COA is turned into an OPORD
during the execution phase. Actual forces, sustainment resources, and strategic
mobility resources are identified and the concept of operations is described in OPORD
format. Following CAP procedures and using capabilities provided through JOPES,
the supported commander develops the OPORD and supporting TPFDD by modifying
an existing OPLAN, expanding an existing CONPLAN (with or without a TPFDD), or
developing a new plan. Supporting commanders identify and task specific units and
provide movement requirements. Component commanders identify and update
sustainment requirements in coordination with the Services. USTRANSCOM
develops transportation schedules. CJCS monitors execution planning and reviews the
supported commander’s OPORD. This phase terminates when the NCA decides to
implement the OPORD.
• Phase VI - Execution. The execution phase begins when the NCA decides to execute a
military option in response to the crisis. A military response is implemented and
operations are conducted by the supported commander until crisis resolution. The
CJCS EXECUTE ORDER directs the deployment of forces and employment of forces,
defines the timing for the initiation of operations, and conveys guidance. The
supported CINC issues an EXECUTE ORDER to subordinate and supporting
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