EJPME / SEJPME II

SEJPME II provides senior enlisted leaders with advanced knowledge of joint operations, joint planning, and the interagency process. It prepares senior NCOs for assignments on joint staffs and combatant command headquarters by deepening their understanding of joint force employment, multinational operations, and strategic-level decision-making.

1) Planning Initiation, 2) Mission Analysis, 3) Course of Action (COA) Development, 4) COA Analysis and Wargaming, 5) COA Comparison, 6) COA Approval, 7) Plan or Order Development. The JOPP is detailed in JP 5-0 and provides a methodical approach for the JFC and staff to develop plans and orders.

Deliberate planning is conducted in anticipation of future events, allowing more time for detailed analysis and coordination (produces OPLANs and CONPLANs). Crisis action planning (CAP) is time-sensitive planning in response to an imminent crisis, compressing the JOPP steps and producing an OPORD for immediate execution. CAP follows the same steps but with shortened timelines.

Phase 0 — Shape, Phase I — Deter, Phase II — Seize Initiative, Phase III — Dominate, Phase IV — Stabilize, Phase V — Enable Civil Authority. Phases may overlap, and the JFC can adjust phasing as the operation evolves. Each phase has specific objectives and transition criteria.

Phase 0 (Shape) encompasses normal, ongoing operations conducted to dissuade or deter adversaries, assure allies, build partner capacity, and set conditions for potential future operations. Activities include theater security cooperation, military-to-military engagement, exercises, and security force assistance. It is continuous and ongoing.

JIPOE is the analytical process used by joint intelligence organizations to produce intelligence assessments, estimates, and other products. It has four steps: 1) Define the operational environment, 2) Describe the impact of the operational environment, 3) Evaluate the adversary/threat, 4) Determine adversary courses of action. JIPOE supports the JFC's decision-making throughout operations.

Step 1: Define the operational environment (identify the area of interest, characteristics, and information gaps). Step 2: Describe the impact of the OE (analyze terrain, weather, infrastructure, demographics). Step 3: Evaluate the adversary (order of battle, capabilities, vulnerabilities, centers of gravity). Step 4: Determine adversary COAs (most likely and most dangerous).

A center of gravity is the source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act. At the strategic level, it may be a nation's alliance, leadership, or economic capacity. At the operational level, it is often the enemy's main force or key capability. Identifying and attacking the enemy's COG while protecting friendly COGs is fundamental to operational art.

A center of gravity is the source of power (moral/physical strength, freedom of action, will to act). Decisive points are geographic places, key events, critical factors, or functions that allow a force to gain a marked advantage over the enemy or contribute materially to achieving success. Decisive points are not COGs themselves but provide access to or affect a COG.

The JFE is the staff organization responsible for assisting the JFC in planning, coordinating, and integrating joint fires. It synchronizes fires across components and deconflicts targets. The JFE works closely with component fire support elements and the Joint Targeting Coordination Board (JTCB) to ensure fires support the JFC's objectives.

The Joint Targeting Cycle is a six-phase iterative process: 1) End State and Commander's Objectives, 2) Target Development and Prioritization, 3) Capabilities Analysis, 4) Commander's Decision and Force Assignment, 5) Mission Planning and Force Execution, 6) Assessment. It ensures joint fires are employed effectively against targets that support the commander's objectives.

Deliberate targeting prosecutes planned targets that are detected and developed well in advance. It follows the full targeting cycle with detailed planning. Dynamic targeting prosecutes targets of opportunity or targets that were not anticipated — including unanticipated targets, targets requiring immediate response, and changes to planned targets. Dynamic targeting requires flexible C2 and rapid execution.

A TST is a joint force commander-validated target requiring immediate response because it is a highly lucrative, fleeting target of opportunity, or it poses (or will soon pose) a danger to friendly forces. TSTs require dynamic targeting procedures and shortened decision-making timelines. Examples include mobile missile launchers or high-value individuals.

The No-Strike List (NSL) contains targets, areas, or objects that must not be struck under any circumstances (e.g., hospitals, religious sites, cultural property protected by law). The Restricted Target List (RTL) contains targets that require special approval from a specified authority before engagement. Both are tools to ensure compliance with the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement.

JP 4-0 provides doctrine for joint logistics — the process of planning and executing the movement and sustainment of forces in support of joint operations. It covers logistics planning, supply, maintenance, transportation, health services, engineering, and other support functions. It emphasizes the integration of Service, multinational, and interagency logistics.

The core logistics functions include: supply, maintenance, transportation, engineering, health services, other services (food service, laundry, etc.), and operational contract support. These functions are integrated across the joint force to sustain operations. Joint logistics must be synchronized with the operational plan.

DLA is a DoD combat support agency that provides worldwide logistics support to the military services, combatant commands, and other federal agencies. DLA manages nearly all consumable items including food, fuel, medical supplies, clothing, and construction material. It is the largest logistics combat support agency in DoD.

The JDDOC is USTRANSCOM's operational arm for coordinating global distribution. It provides visibility over defense transportation and distribution, synchronizes common-user lift, and manages the flow of forces and materiel into and within a theater. It works with the geographic combatant command's J4 to support deployment and sustainment.

The TPFDD is the JOPES database that identifies forces, non-unit cargo and personnel, and deployment timing for a specific operation plan. It sequences the flow of forces into theater by specifying what units move, when they move, and by what means. Developing the TPFDD is a critical part of the deployment planning process.

JP 3-16 provides guidance for planning and conducting military operations with forces of two or more nations. It addresses command relationships, coordination mechanisms, interoperability challenges, cultural considerations, and the unique legal and political constraints of working with coalition and alliance partners.

An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations for broad, long-term objectives (e.g., NATO). A coalition is an ad hoc arrangement between two or more nations for a specific purpose, typically of limited duration (e.g., Operation Enduring Freedom partners). Alliances have standing command structures; coalitions usually create temporary ones.

Key challenges include: differing national objectives and political constraints (national caveats), language barriers, interoperability of equipment and communications, different doctrine and tactics, varying rules of engagement, cultural differences, classification and intelligence sharing restrictions, and the need to maintain national sovereignty while achieving unity of effort.

A national caveat is a restriction placed by a contributing nation on the use of its forces. Caveats may limit where forces can operate, what missions they can perform, or what level of risk they can accept. Caveats can complicate planning and execution. The multinational force commander must understand all national caveats when assigning missions.

In multinational operations, nations may grant operational control (OPCON), tactical control (TACON), or coordination authority to the multinational force commander. Full command authority is rarely transferred — nations retain national command authority over their forces. NATO uses specific terminology: full command, OPCOM (operational command), OPCON, and TACOM (tactical command).

The interagency process coordinates the activities of multiple U.S. government agencies (DoD, State, USAID, CIA, Treasury, etc.) to achieve unified action. It operates through the National Security Council system. Military operations increasingly require a whole-of-government approach, especially in stability operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance.

A Whole-of-Government approach integrates the collaborative efforts of all U.S. government departments and agencies to achieve unity of effort. It recognizes that military power alone cannot resolve complex security challenges — diplomatic, economic, informational, and developmental tools must be synchronized. This is fundamental to the National Security Strategy.

TSC consists of all DoD interactions with foreign defense establishments to build defense relationships, promote specific U.S. security interests, develop allied and partner nation military capabilities for self-defense and coalition operations, and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access. Activities include exercises, military-to-military contacts, security assistance, and foreign internal defense.

The TCP is the combatant commander's plan that describes how the command will support national strategic objectives during peacetime, through theater security cooperation, and during crisis. It integrates all theater activities — exercises, engagement, posture, and contingency plans — into a coherent campaign aligned with the National Defense Strategy.

SFA is the DoD activities that support the development of the capacity and capability of foreign security forces and their supporting institutions. It includes training, equipping, advising, and assisting partner nation forces. SFA is a key component of theater security cooperation and helps build partner capacity to address shared security challenges.

The Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) advises the commander on all matters affecting the enlisted force, including morale, welfare, professional development, and utilization. In joint/multinational settings, the SEA serves as a bridge between enlisted members of different services and nations, helps resolve interoperability issues at the enlisted level, and advocates for proper enlisted force management.

IO is the integrated employment of information-related capabilities (IRC) during military operations to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own. IRCs include MISO (Military Information Support Operations), OPSEC, Military Deception, Electronic Warfare, Cyberspace Operations, and Civil Affairs.

MISO (Military Information Support Operations, formerly PSYOP) targets foreign audiences to influence their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors in support of military objectives. Public Affairs provides truthful information to domestic and international media and publics. MISO may use deception; PA never does. They must be coordinated but kept functionally separate to protect PA credibility.

GFM is the process by which the Secretary of Defense assigns, allocates, and apportions forces and capabilities to combatant commanders. Assignment places forces under a combatant command permanently. Allocation provides forces for a specific period. Apportionment distributes forces for planning purposes. GFM ensures the right forces are available to meet global requirements.

Elements of operational art include: end state and objectives, center of gravity, decisive points, lines of operation/effort, operational reach, culmination, tempo, phasing, forces and functions, leverage, balance, timing and sequencing, and risk. These elements help commanders and staffs visualize and describe how to achieve strategic objectives.

Lines of operation (LOO) connect a series of decisive points in time and space related to physical objectives. Lines of effort (LOE) link tasks with strategic objectives using the logic of purpose rather than physical reference points. LOEs are more common in stability operations and counterinsurgency where physical objectives may not define success.

Culmination is the point at which a force no longer has the capability to continue its form of operations (offensive or defensive). In the offense, the culminating point is reached when the force can no longer attack and must assume the defense. Understanding culmination helps commanders avoid overextending forces and time transitions between operational phases.

J1 — Manpower/Personnel, J2 — Intelligence, J3 — Operations, J4 — Logistics, J5 — Plans/Strategy, J6 — Communications/Cyber, J7 — Training/Exercises, J8 — Force Structure/Resources, J9 — Civil-Military Operations (in some commands). The J-code system standardizes staff organization across joint headquarters.

APEX is the DoD system for collaborative planning, execution monitoring, and assessment of joint operations. It replaced the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES). APEX provides procedures for developing plans (contingency and crisis), transitioning plans to execution, and monitoring ongoing operations. It emphasizes flexibility and adaptability.

A FRAGORD is an abbreviated form of an operation order used to make changes to an existing order. It provides timely changes of existing orders to subordinate and supporting commanders while providing notification to higher and adjacent commands. Only the changed or additional elements need to be included.

CCCS is the process used to ensure all communication-related activities (PA, MISO, Civil Affairs, etc.) are focused, aligned, and synchronized with operations. It coordinates messages and themes across the command to ensure consistency, supports the commander's narrative, and counters adversary propaganda and misinformation.

The CJA is a holistic assessment of the operational environment that evaluates progress toward achieving the commander's objectives. It assesses the political, military, economic, social, information, and infrastructure (PMESII) dimensions. The CJA informs adjustments to plans and operations and supports the commander's decision-making cycle.

Mission Command is the conduct of military operations through decentralized execution based upon mission-type orders. Successful mission command requires: commander's intent, subordinates' initiative, mission orders, resource allocation, and mutual trust. It empowers subordinate leaders to exercise disciplined initiative within the commander's intent when unable to communicate with higher headquarters.

A JOA is an area of land, sea, and airspace defined by a geographic combatant commander or subordinate unified commander within which a joint force commander (normally a JTF commander) conducts military operations. The JOA is designated to support operations, deconflict actions, and facilitate coordination among forces.

1) Deep-Close-Rear: organizes operations by geographic reference. 2) Decisive-Shaping-Sustaining: organizes operations by purpose. 3) Main Effort-Supporting Effort: prioritizes resources and focus. The JFC may use any combination of these frameworks to visualize and describe operations.