(primarily the intelligent officer [US Army] [S2]), identifies gaps in the intelligence and develops an
initial reconnaissance and surveillance plan to acquire information based on available reconnaissance
assets. This may include acquiring the support of outside agencies and higher HQ. Special requests for
environmental information on environmental considerations critical to the operation are included in the
initial IPB and CCIR.
Step 10. Plan use of available time. The commander and his staff refine their initial plan for the
use of available time. They compare the time needed to accomplish essential tasks to the higher HQ
timeline to ensure mission accomplishment within the allotted time.
Step 11. Write the restated mission. The executive officer (XO) or the operations and training
officer (US Army) (S3) prepares a restated mission for the unit based on the mission analysis. The
restated mission includes on-order missions; be-prepared missions are in the concept of operations.
Environmental considerations may be addressed in the restated mission, especially if the unit mission is to
respond to a forest fire, flood, or some other natural or man-made disaster.
Step 12. Conduct a mission analysis briefing. Time permitting, the staff briefs the commander
on its mission analysis. The relevant conclusions about environmental considerations, drawn from the
mission analysis, help the commander and staff to develop a shared vision of the requirements for the
upcoming operation.
Step 13. Approve the restated mission. Immediately after the mission analysis briefing, the
commander approves a restated mission. Once approved, the restated mission becomes the unit's
mission. If environmental considerations are crucial to the mission, they may become a part of the
restated mission.
Step 14. Develop the initial commander's intent. The initial commander's intent is a clear,
concise statement of what the force must do to succeed with respect to the enemy and the terrain and to
achieve the desired end state.
Step 15. Issue the commander's guidance. After the commander approves the restated mission
and states his intent, he or she provides the staff with enough additional guidance to focus staff activities
while planning the operation. This is the location for guidance on environmental considerations. In the
case of combat operations, most environmental considerations will take a relative back seat to other
considerations, as greater environmental risk is likely to be taken.
Step 16. Issue a warning order (WO). Immediately after the commander provides his guidance,
the staff sends subordinate and supporting units a WO. The staff ensures that risk guidance includes
pertinent environmental considerations.
Step 17. Review facts and assumptions. Ideally, initial mission analysis will identify and
quantify most of the likely environmental considerations. During the rest of the decision-making process,
the commander and staff periodically review available facts and assumptions. New facts may alter
requirements and analysis of the mission. Assumptions may have become facts or may have become
invalid. Whenever the facts or assumptions change, the commander and staff assess the impact of these
changes on the plan and make the necessary adjustments. The discovery of additional environmental
considerations is likely, as the planning progresses and reconnaissance information if forthcoming.
(2) Course of Action (COA) Development. After receiving guidance, the staff develops COAs
for analysis and comparison. During COA development, the commander and staff continue the risk
EN 5702
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