FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download

Page 20 of 188

Chapter 1 1-12 FM 3-81 09 November 2021 military forces are employed for DSCA activities, they remain under federal military command and control at all times. (See ADP 3-28, DODD 3025.18, and JP 3-28 for a detailed discussion of DSCA.). When properly task-organized, the MEB can conduct or support DSCA. See chapter 2 for additional discussion on MEB support to stability operations. See appendix B for additional information on MEB support to DSCA tasks. OPERATIONAL AND MISSION VARIABLES 1-54. Operational and mission variables complement each other and support the common purpose of describing the operational environment. The operational variables include political, military, economic, social, information, and infrastructure that collectively create the joint memory aid of PMESII (political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time [operational variables]. The Army adds two more operational variables physical environment and time [PT]) to this joint construct to create the memory aid of PMESII-PT with a total of eight operational variables. 1-55. The six mission variables are grouped into the time-tested memory aid of METT-TC, which captures the six variables of METT-TC. Each variable affects how ARFOR combine, sequence, and conduct military operations. Commanders tailor and task-organize forces, employ diverse capabilities, and support different missions to accomplish military objectives. OPERATIONAL VARIABLES 1-56. Army planners describe conditions of an operational environment in terms of operational variables. Operational variables are those aspects of an operational environment, both military and nonmilitary, that may differ from one operational area to another and affect operations. Operational variables describe not only the military aspects of an operational environment, but also the population’s influence on it. Using Army design methodology, planners analyze an operational environment in terms of the eight interrelated operational variables PMESII-PT (political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time). As soon as a commander and staff have an indication of where their unit will conduct operations, they begin analyzing the operational variables associated with that location. They continue to refine and update that analysis throughout the course of operations. 1-57. The variables provide a broad view of the operational environment that emphasizes its human aspects. Because land forces always operate among populations, understanding the human variables is crucial. They describe each operation’s context for commanders and other leaders. Understanding them helps commanders appreciate how the military instrument complements other instruments of national power. Comprehensive analysis of the variables occurs at the joint level; Army commanders use the comprehensive joint analysis of the variables to shape their understanding of the situation. 1-58. The eight Army operational variables discussed below highlight potential implications for the support area. The examples are not meant to be all-inclusive concerns. For more information on the variables, see FM 6-0. Political. The political variable describes the distribution of responsibility and power at all levels of governance—the formally constituted authorities, as well as informal political powers. The political variable includes influential political groups and the collective attitude of the population toward the United States. The support area operations may have challenges associated with political circumstances permitting or denying access to key ports of entry or critical sustainment facilities. Opportunities in the form of alternative access routes might be added. The political variable (which is always important) takes on a more prominent role during stability and civil SPO. Military. The military variable explores the military and/or paramilitary capabilities of all relevant actors (enemy, friendly, and neutral) in a given operational environment. This includes nonmilitary armed and unarmed combatants, as well as insurgent forces, guerrilla forces, and criminal organizations.