JP 512(S) - JOPP Step 3 (COA Development)

Thesis: One of the most critical steps in campaign planning is conceiving and deciding upon courses of action. Among the myriad paths an operation can take, the commander must decide on a particular course of action, taking into consideration the recommendations of his staff. But before the commander can decide on a COA, the staff must develop valid courses of action adhering to the commander’s guidance and building on the results of their robust mission analysis. The COA sketch is one tool available to assist the commander in visualizing the entire operation (i.e. the course of action) by phase. This seminar will describe how to develop a valid COA that accomplishes the mission within the commander’s guidance and positions the joint force for future operations. The seminar will also demonstrate how to construct a COA sketch with the pertinent information for each phase of the operation.