The Assessments Process in Contemporary Operating Environment
The Assessments Process in Contemporary Operating Environment
by Jimmy A. Gomez
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It sometimes seems as if the internal politics of Kabul are easier to understand than the latest doctrinal changes in our Field Manuals. However, as our doctrine evolves it continues to lag behind the reality and complexity of our operations in the Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR). As the security agreements and strategic objectives are changed, the Rules of Engagement (ROE) continue to evolve with them. This increases the degree of interactive complexity of any given situations within a unit’s AOR and the staffs vision, understanding and execution of the operation.
As the ROE changes, the emerging spectrum of threats is not easily defined or understood by the staff which leads to our inability to develop and recommend solutions. Unfortunately, our doctrine does not keep up with these variables of the Contemporary Operational Environment (COE). As we enter the 10th year of combat operations in Afghanistan, a lot of questions continue to surface from every staff functional area and War Fighting Function (WFF) in reference to the validity, relevance and tactical applicability of the Assessments process.
FM 5-0 (March 2010) finally formalizes and outlines the Assessments Process. Depending on the structure of the problem, the staff may take different approaches to both understanding and defining problems and eventually developing solutions tied to campaign goals and the Division Commander’s end state. Yet, the biggest question to habitually surface is “What is the role of each WFF within the Assessments process?” In this paper, we discuss and outline the staff participation in this essential, yet most analytically elusive process at the Division Staff level.
Download the Full Article: The Assessments Process in Contemporary Operating Environment
CW4 Jimmy Gomez is currently the Course Manager and Senior Instructor for the Field Artillery Warrant Officer Instruction Branch at Fires Center of Excellence, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served with the 25th Infantry Division Staff in Afghanistan 2004-2005 and in Iraq 2006-2007.
