1	Operational Warfare Joint Forces Staff College National Defense University
2	Learning Objectives
3	Levels Of War
4	Principles of Joint Operations
5	Operational Art and Design
6	Systems Perspective of the Operational Environment
7	Operational Design
8	Operational Art
9	Plan Initiation Elements Termination Listed first because planning cannot occur without a clear understanding of the desired end state and the conditions that must exist to end military operations End State and Objectives A point in time and/or circumstance beyond which the President does not require the military instrument of national power to achieve remaining objectives Effects Connects strategic and operational objectives to tactical tasks through identifying desired and undesired effects within the operational environment
10	Center of Gravity “The source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act.” JP 5-0 “The hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends. That is the point against which all our energies should be directed.” Clausewitz
11	Center of Gravity
12	Center of Gravity Critical Capability An adversary means that is considered a crucial enabler for a COG to function, and is essential to the accomplishment of the adversary’s assumed objective(s). Critical Requirement An essential condition, resource, and means for a critical capability to be fully operational. Critical Vulnerability An aspect or component of the adversary’s critical requirements, which is deficient or vulnerable to direct or indirect attack that will create decisive or significant effects.
13	Decisive Points
14	Direct versus Indirect
15	Lines of Operations
16	Time and Distance Elements Operational Reach Distance and duration across which a unit can successfully employ military capabilities Linked to Culmination Simultaneity and Depth Simultaneous application of military and non-military power against the enemy‘s key capabilities and sources of strength Timing and Tempo Conduct operations at a tempo and point in time that best exploits friendly capabilities and inhibits the adversary
17	Operational Elements Forces and functions Defeat adversary forces, functions, or a combination of both Leverage Relative advantage in combat power across one or more domains (air, land, sea, and space) and/or the information environment Balance Appropriate mix of forces and capabilities As well as the nature and timing of operations Anticipation Avoid surprise by gaining and maintaining the initiative Force the adversary to react rather than initiate Synergy Combinations of forces and actions to achieve concentration Achieve the assigned objective(s) in the shortest time possible and with minimal casualties
18	Culmination
19	Arranging Operations
20	Operational Plan Phases versus Level of Military Effort
21	"“Be audacious and cunning..." “Be audacious and cunning in your plans, firm and persevering in their execution.” Clausewitz Principles Of War
22	Operational Warfare Joint Forces Staff College National Defense University