Page 52 - Navy Journal 219

Navy Journal 2019

The broad formulation of campaign plan is narrated in sequence below:
a. The strategic level decides the desired strategic end state/purpose (what
strategic state we want at the end of the war). Accordingly, the strategic
guidance and military directives are initiated.

b. In operational level, military planners determine the military end state
to achieve the strategic end state. Accordingly, mission analysis ascertains
the mission feasibility and finds the ways and means to achieve the end
state. Through this, the operational level can forecast the gap between the
desire and reality. If the end state is not achievable, the operational level
should caution and suggest alternatives.
c. Identifying the CG, military objectives of both own and enemy is
crucial after which the military Lines of Operation is designed.

d. While designing the operations, CP must be avoided. If needed a
justified OP should be catered for reinforcement, re-appreciation and a
subsequent attack. Nevertheless, campaign plan should be flexible to
accommodate changes if operational exigencies demand.

e. Finally, military operations should explore and integrate the joint
efforts of armed forces, media campaign, conducive diplomatic
initiatives, and other strategic advantages in own favor.
Recommendations

Preparing a military campaign planner is not a matter of a day; it needs
gradual development of military perceptions, knowledge, experience and
exposure to various simulated, real or near to real time conflicts. The process
begins at an early military life. Hence, developing the doctrinal understanding of
mid and junior level officers is important as they perform as the Staff Officers in
various capacities and gradually becomes the decision maker one day. Good
analytical and operational insight can ease the complexities of the operational
commanders. Thereby, this paper broadly recommendations the followings:
a. Grasping of operational art should be nurtured in different stages of
military training. Army, Navy and Air Force must have respective
Doctrinal Centers and Directorates to promote research on military,
national and international affairs.

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