Welcome to the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) Class. There are seven parts to the MDMP class. This class covers part 1, Receipt of Mission. Review the instructions below before proceeding with the lesson. This self paced course is the first part of a seven part series of MDMP classes that provides you with the knowledge needed to complete the MDMP Quiz. All quiz answers are found within these seven classes. These classes are designed to give you a basic understanding of the MDMP. Once you’ve completed this course, CLICK on the part two, Mission Analysis to the left of the window. Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)

The seven steps of the MDMP Receipt of mission Mission Analysis Course of Action Development Course of Action Analysis Course of Action Comparison Course of Action Approval Orders Production Receipt of mission Mission Analysis Course of Action Development Course of Action Analysis Course of Action Comparison Course of Action Approval Orders Production

The Order The Plan Situation – (enemy, troops and time) Situation – (enemy, troops and time) Commander and Staff Commander and Staff Higher HQ Order (mission) Higher HQ Order (mission) Welcome to The Military Decision Making Process Overview class. The MDMP is the Army's analytical approach to problem solving. It takes the higher headquarters' order, together with the situation, and uses a well- defined process of staff work to develop a plan, and then to turn that plan into an order. Required References: FM 101-5, Staff Organization & Operations FM , Operational Terms & Graphics At the end of this lesson, you should have a basic understanding of the MDMP but you will need to read FM 101-5, chapter 5, in order to gain a more in depth knowledge of the MDMP.

Receipt of mission Mission Analysis Course of Action Development Course of Action Analysis Course of Action Comparison Course of Action Approval Orders Production These are the seven steps of the MDMP. Notice how similar they are to the well-known problem-solving process. The commander is in charge of the MDMP but the XO manages, coordinates, and disciplines the staff's work. Normally, the staff should only use 1/3 of the time available to perform all seven of these steps. This will leave subordinate units the remaining 2/3 to conduct their preparations. The seven steps of the MDMP

Receipt of mission Mission Analysis Course of Action Development Course of Action Analysis Course of Action Comparison Course of Action Approval Orders Production Throughout the entire process, the commander and staff conduct continuous estimates to determine how to best use available resources. The seven steps of the MDMP Commander’s Estimate Staff Estimates

Receipt of mission Mission Analysis Course of Action Development Course of Action Analysis Course of Action Comparison Course of Action Approval Orders Production Okay, let's take you through a scenario and apply the seven steps of the MDMP. Warning Order #1 Warning Order #2 Warning Order #3 Also, at various times before orders production, the staff issues warning orders to subordinate units to assist them in their preparation for the upcoming operation. The seven steps of the MDMP

We are 2d brigade, 55th Mechanized Infantry Division. The brigade commander, the S2, S3, and FSO received the Division's 5-paragraph Operations Order, or OPORD (Step 1 – Receipt of Mission). Here you see the outline of the typical OPORD.

At battalion and higher levels, the base OPORD provides general information on the operation; more detailed information is found in annexes to the order. For the purposes of this lesson, you need to understand that while specified tasks are found throughout the order, maneuver units will normally find their essential tasks by analyzing paragraph 3a, concept of operations; 3b, tasks to maneuver units; and 3d, coordinating instructions.

In this scenario, you are the brigade XO, who will manage the staff through the MDMP. The brigade will be fighting in a desert environment that offers excellent mobility on valley floors but the mountains are steep and rugged. An enemy army consisting of two mech division tactical groups (DTG) and an armor division tactical group is attacking to the West on a broad front. The corps commander has directed the 55th Division commander to contain the mech tactical groups of the enemy to create an assailable flank for 23d Armored Division, the Corps' main effort. On order, 23d Armor will attack the enemy's armored tactical division group. 1st Brigade, the division main effort, is to your south. 3d Brigade is the division's reserve.

55 th Mech Division in the Corps’ Concept 55 th Mech Div defends in AO IRON NLT Aug 01 to contain enemy first echelon DTGs to create an assailable flank for 23 rd Armored Div, the Corps ME XXX X XX XXX d BDE, SE defends to block northern DTG to prevent envelopment of 1 st BDE, the division ME 1 st BDE, ME defends to defeat southern DTG to prevent envelopment of 23 rd Armored Div, the Corps ME 3 rd BDE, Division Reserve, has priority of commitment to defeat enemy penetration of 1 st BDE, then 2 nd BDE to maintain integrity of the defense On Order, 23 rd Armored Division attacks to defeat the armored DTG to deny enemy access to the RED RIVER crossing sites X X X X

Determines the time available from mission receipt to mission execution Determines the time needed to plan, prepare for, and execute the mission for own and subordinate units Determines the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) Determines the staff estimates already available to assist planning Once the new mission is received, the commander and staff must do a quick initial assessment. This assessment: Additional factors to consider are: Ambient light requirement for planning, rehearsals, and movement The staff’s experience, cohesiveness, and level of rest or stress

How to abbreviate the MDMP, if required (see FM 101-5, page 5-27) The initial time allocation for the planning process Liaison officers to dispatch When initial reconnaissance is to begin Any authorized movements Any additional tasks that the commander wants the staff to accomplish The commander should then give his initial guidance. Although brief, it includes:

The last step in the mission receipt phase is to issue a warning order (WARNO # 1) to subordinate and supporting commands. This must include as a minimum: Type of operation General location of the operation Initial time line Any movement or reconnaissance to initiate Congratulations! You have completed part one of the MDMP class! CLICK on part two of Mission Analysis Class to the left of this window.