ARRC JOURNAL
The CARVER Method: This method
could be used by special operations
forces in planning and targeting, but
it can also be used in evaluating
CoGs. CARVER stands for criticality,
accessibility, recuperability, vulnerability,
effect
and
recognisability.
These
elements are the basis for analysis
and comparative assessment, as listed
below: 19
• Criticality:
How essential is this
element to the successful functioning
of its parent component, complex or
system?
• Accessibility: How susceptible is this
element to attack given its defences
and friendly offensive capabilities?
• Recuperability: How quickly and easily
can this element recover from inflicted
damage or destruction?
• Vulnerability: How susceptible is this
element to neutralisation, damage or
destruction given friendly offensive
capabilities?
• Effect: What is the confidence that
successfully prosecuting this element
as planned will create the overall
desired effect of the mission?
Godzilla
Method:
This
method,
introduced by James Butler, professor
of Joint Military Operations at the US
Naval War College, got its name from
the Japanese mythical monster Godzilla.
The process is used in identifying the
CoGs and consists of the following
steps: 21
Determine an actor’s objective based
on the desired (friendly) or estimated
(adversary) end state.
• Identify critical strengths for achieving
the objective.
• Remove the strengths one at a time
whilst answering the following question
after each removal: “Can the objective
still be achieved without this strength?”
If the answer is ‘Yes’, that strength is
not the CoG.
• The removed strength is replaced by
another and so on.
• Once the answer is ‘No’, the CoG has
Note: Butler defines critical strengths
as the “primary sources of physical or
moral potential/power or elements that
integrate, protect, and sustain specific
sources of combat potential/power.”
Moreover, strengths are considered
critical if they affect or potentially affect
achievement of the objective. It can
be argued that critical strengths are
equivalent to CCs (key ability that gives
the CoG its strength).
An example of identifying the CoG of the
Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)
using the Godzilla method is provided
below (Figure 8): 22
• ISIL
Strategic
Objective:
Establishment of an Islamic caliphate in
the Levant region (Syria, Jordan, Israel,
Palestine, Lebanon, Cyprus, and part
of southern Turkey).
• ISIL Operational Objective: Seize and
control land and people.
been identified (removal of the strength
precludes accomplishment of the
objective).
• Recognisability:
How
easily
recognisable is this element (i.e.,
differentiated from surrounding nodes)
considering
sensor
capabilities,
employment
conditions
(weather,
etc.) and time available to analyse the
situation and take action?
Synthesis Model: This model, a
combination of different methods, is
considered more effective and efficient.
In fact, it is a combination of Dr. Strange’s
CG-CC-CR-CV, Strategic Rings, NEV’s
and CARVER’s models, described
above, as follows: 20
• Identify adversary COGs.
• Starts with the Strategic Ring model.
• Use
NEV
model
understanding.
for
better
• Identify CVs, through CG-CV-CR-CV
model.
• Validate
and Prioritise CVs using
CARVER’s model.
Figure 8 – Example of Godzilla
19 US Air Force Doctrine, Ibid.
20 US Air Force Doctrine, Ibid.
21 Butler B. James. Godzilla Methodology. Means for Determining Center of Gravity, JFQ, 72, 1st Quarter 2014, p. 28-30, at http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-72/jfq-72_26-
30_Butler.pdf?ver=2014-03-13-152408-330 (accessed 6 Sep 18).
22 Daniel J. Smith, Kelley Jeter, and Odin Westgaard, Three Approaches to Center of Gravity Analysis. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, JFQ, 78, 3rd Quarter, 2015, 130-133 at
http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/ jfq/jfq-78/jfq-78_129-136_Smith-Jeter-Westguard.pd
20
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