Rapid Planning and Quick Decision Making during Tactical Operations

Abstract : This study analyzes the U.S. Army's emerging doctrine for command and control as expressed in the coordinating draft of FM 101-5 dated July 1992. This thesis examines the suitability, feasibility, and completeness of the doctrine. Suitability is expressed in terms of FM 100-5, Operations, requirements for command and control. Feasibility is analyzed based on the battlefield environment and its effect on the command and control system. Completeness was based on a modeling of the system and process. This study concludes that the doctrine must provide specific measures for supporting commanders visualization of the situation in time and space to be suitable. The thesis concludes that the doctrine must address the effects of the environment on the human part of the system to be feasible. The analysis shows that the doctrine must address all types of major decision types and all elements of the command and control system to be complete. Based on these conclusions, the draft of FM 101-5 dated July 1992 is not sound enough for effective use. Command and control, Rapid planning, Tactical planning, Tactical control, Command and control with time constraints.