READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
Utilising the CoG and Key
Considerations
In general, a mission is considered
complete once the designated objectives
have been achieved. Given that the CoG
is the source of power that provides
freedom of action in achieving the
objectives, it could be argued that the
CoG is linked with the objective(s).
Once the ‘ends’ (objectives) have been
determined, the planning efforts focus
on the ‘ways’ (CCs) of employing the
available ‘means’ (CRs). This explains
how the concept of CoG is linked with
Operational Art and Operations Design.
In this sense, the CoG functions as
a bond between all the levels of war –
strategic, operational, tactical – ensuring
coherence (Figure 14).
• At
the political-strategic level, the
CoG can be identified by applying
NATO’s analysis model and starting
with the estimated (adversary’s) or
established (friendly) aim (ends).
Then the efforts are stacked against
the identified ‘ways’ (CCs), ‘means’
(CRs) and CVs, taking into account
all the instruments of national power.
Then, the Military Strategic Objectives
(MSOs), along with DCs and Effects,
can be determined, focussing then on
use of military instruments of power, its
CCs (e.g. defeat, destroy, occupy etc.),
CRs (e.g. logistics, sufficient ground
forces) and CVs (e.g. low military
morale, civil-military relationship). The
other instruments of national power
can contribute to the achievement of
the MSOs through Complimentary
Non-Military Actions (CNMA) that will
be requested by the Supreme Allied
Commander Europe (SACEUR).
• At
the operational level, analysis
uses as a starting point the outputs
of analysis conducted at the strategic
level. The efforts focus on military ways
and means in achieving the operational
objectives by joint forces. The friendly
mission is considered complete once
Operational Objectives (OE) has been
achieved. In doing so, the operational
command – a joint task force (JTF)
or one of the Joint Force Commands
(JFC) – contributes to the achievement
of the MSOs, which, in conjunction with
the CNMAs, lead to the achievement
of the NATO End State. Analysis of the
Figure 14 – Relationship between Operations Design (Strategic, Operational), CoGs and Objectives 31
CoGs (adversary’s, friendly) assists in
identifying CCs (ways), CRs (means)
and CVs. Degrading, neutralising or
undermining the adversary’s CoG and
protecting the friendly one contributes
to achieving the Operational Objectives
(OOs)
and
accomplishing
the
mission. In fact, the outputs of the
CoG analysis feed the Operational
Design with DCs, Operational Effects
(OEs) and Operational Actions (OAs),
which translate to objectives, mission
and actions for the subordinate
component commands (tactical level).
It can be argued that CoG analysis
is complementary to Factor Analysis
(Mission Analysis). At the tactical level
(component commands), the process is
repeated in the same way the basis of
the outputs of the analysis at the joint-
operational level are.
Moreover, the utility of CoG at each
level depends on the type of operation/
conflict. Thus, in conventional operations
the concept of CoG’s usefulness is
limited at brigade level and below. At
this level military forces execute tactical
tasks/actions assigned by the higher
command. In this way, smaller tactical
forces contribute to OAs, OEs and, finally,
to the establishment of DCs. However, in
complex operations (counterinsurgency,
stability and hybrid) the concept of CoG
can be a useful tool because of the
involvement of non-military actors in
the conflict and the requirement for a
comprehensive approach to operations.
In these situations the guidance of the
higher headquarters is usually less
specific, providing the lower level with
more flexibility – initiative.
27 Operational Art is ‘the employment of forces to attain strategic and/or operational objectives through the design, organisation, integration and conduct of strategies, campaigns, major
operations and battles’ AAP-06, Ibid. Furthermore, the Operational Art includes the concepts operations design and operations management. AJP-5, Ibid, p.1-1.
28 Operations Design frames the environment and the problem, and then develops an operational approach that gives a comprehensive logic to the campaign or operation, while synchronising
the joint functions with the objectives. AJP-5, Ibid, p. 1-2. Depending on the reference level, at political level there exists ‘International Design’ (COPD, p.1-12), at strategic, ‘Strategic Design’
(COPD, p.1-13); and at Joint-Operational level, ‘Operational Design’ (COPD, p.1-13).
29 The Instruments of (national) Power are: Military, Political, Economic and Civil. COPD, Ibid, p.1-9.
30 NATO End State is the NAC statement of conditions that defines an acceptable concluding situation for NATO’s involvement. COPD, Ibid, p. 1-10.
31 COPD, Ibid, p.1-17.
32 Christopher M. Schnaubelt, et.al, Ibid, p.2, 3.
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