Captains Career Course - Common Core Final
Exam
Latest 2025/2026 | Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationales
Total Time: 3 Hours
Instructions: Select the best possible answer for each question. Doctrine references are based on
current ADPs, ADRPs, and FMs as of 2026.
Section 1: Mission Command and the Operations Process (Questions 1-20)
1. What are the seven steps of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) in the correct order?
a) Receive Mission, COA Development, Mission Analysis, COA Analysis, COA Comparison, Approval,
Orders Production
b) Receive Mission, Mission Analysis, COA Development, COA Analysis, COA Comparison, COA Approval,
Orders Production
c) Mission Analysis, Receive Mission, COA Development, COA Comparison, COA Analysis, Approval,
Orders
d) Receive Warning Order, Mission Analysis, COA Decision, COA Analysis, Approval, Rehearsals,
Execution
Correct Answer: b) Receive Mission, Mission Analysis, COA Development, COA Analysis, COA
Comparison, COA Approval, Orders Production
*Rationale: MDMP is a seven-step, iterative planning methodology. Step 1 is Receipt of Mission, Step 2
is Mission Analysis, Step 3 is COA Development, Step 4 is COA Analysis (War-gaming), Step 5 is COA
Comparison, Step 6 is COA Approval, and Step 7 is Orders Production. This sequence ensures a thorough
and logical progression from problem framing to order dissemination.*
2. Which statement best defines a Mission Statement?
a) A concise expression of the operation's purpose and the desired end state
b) The tasks, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason
therefore
c) A broad description of the commander's visualization of the operation
d) The allocation of resources to subordinate units to accomplish the mission
Correct Answer: b) The tasks, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken
and the reason therefore
Rationale: The mission statement answers the questions of "Who, What, When, Where, and Why." It
must contain the essential task (specified or implied) and the purpose. The "why" is critical as it provides
the context for subordinate decision-making.
,3. According to ADP 6-0, which of the following is NOT one of the six principles of mission command?
a) Build cohesive teams through mutual trust
b) Exercise disciplined initiative
c) Accept prudent risk
d) Centralized Execution with Decentralized Planning
Correct Answer: d) Centralized Execution with Decentralized Planning
Rationale: The six principles are: Build cohesive teams through mutual trust, Create shared
understanding, Provide a clear commander's intent, Exercise disciplined initiative, Use mission orders,
and Accept prudent risk. While mission command philosophy does involve centralizing planning and
decentralizing execution, this specific phrasing is not one of the six listed principles.
4. What is the definition of "Prudent Risk"?
a) Avoiding any tactical situation that could lead to casualties
b) A deliberate exposure to potential injury or loss when the commander judges the outcome in terms
of mission accomplishment as worth the cost
c) The mathematical probability of mission failure based on enemy capabilities
d) Risk that is only accepted during the defense, not the offense
Correct Answer: b) A deliberate exposure to potential injury or loss when the commander judges the
outcome in terms of mission accomplishment as worth the cost
Rationale: Prudent risk is central to mission command. It acknowledges that military operations are
inherently dangerous, but commanders must accept calculated risks where the potential gain justifies
the potential loss. It is different from reckless risk, which is taken without understanding the
consequences.
5. The Army's framework for exercising mission command is the:
a) Military Decision Making Process
b) Operations Process
c) Rapid Decision Making and Synchronization Process
d) Troop Leading Procedures
Correct Answer: b) Operations Process
Rationale: The operations process—plan, prepare, execute, and assess—is the overarching framework
within which commanders and staffs exercise mission command to integrate and synchronize operations.
6. (True/False) Staff Officers only communicate with higher echelons.
a) True
b) False
Correct Answer: b) False
Rationale: Staff officers must communicate laterally with peers in other staff sections, downward with
subordinate unit staffs, upward with higher headquarters staff, and outward with unified action
partners. Effective collaboration requires multidirectional communication.
7. What is the definition of "Information" within the context of Army doctrine?
a) Raw, unprocessed facts that have no inherent meaning
b) The meaning that a human assigns to data by means of the known conventions used in their
, representation
c) Intelligence products verified by multiple sources
d) The commander's personal intuition regarding the enemy
Correct Answer: b) The meaning that a human assigns to data by means of the known conventions
used in their representation
Rationale: Data becomes information when it is processed, organized, or given context. Information
becomes intelligence when it is analyzed to answer specific questions about the enemy or operational
environment.
8. A __________ is a difference between the actual situation during an operation and what the plan
forecasted the situation would be at that time or event.
a) Friction
b) Variance
c) Culmination point
d) Decision point
Correct Answer: b) Variance
Rationale: Identifying variances allows the commander and staff to assess whether the operation is
proceeding according to plan or if adjustments (such as reframing or branch plans) are required.
9. Which publication covers the Army Command Policy, including command relationships and the
conduct of personnel?
a) AR 710-2
b) FM 7-0
c) AR 600-20
d) ATP 4-90
Correct Answer: c) AR 600-20
*Rationale: Army Regulation 600-20, Army Command Policy, establishes the policies and responsibilities
of command, including NCO support channels, equal opportunity, and command climate.*
10. According to FM 6-0, what are the three types of briefing formats?
a) Formal, Informal, and Tactical
b) Information, Decision, and Mission
c) Operations, Intelligence, and Logistics
d) Command, Staff, and Subordinate
Correct Answer: b) Information, Decision, and Mission
Rationale: Information briefings inform the audience. Decision briefings seek a decision from the
commander. Mission briefings are used to deliver orders or directives to subordinates.
11. Which step of the briefing process involves building a briefing outline?
a) Plan
b) Prepare
c) Execute
d) Assess
Exam
Latest 2025/2026 | Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationales
Total Time: 3 Hours
Instructions: Select the best possible answer for each question. Doctrine references are based on
current ADPs, ADRPs, and FMs as of 2026.
Section 1: Mission Command and the Operations Process (Questions 1-20)
1. What are the seven steps of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) in the correct order?
a) Receive Mission, COA Development, Mission Analysis, COA Analysis, COA Comparison, Approval,
Orders Production
b) Receive Mission, Mission Analysis, COA Development, COA Analysis, COA Comparison, COA Approval,
Orders Production
c) Mission Analysis, Receive Mission, COA Development, COA Comparison, COA Analysis, Approval,
Orders
d) Receive Warning Order, Mission Analysis, COA Decision, COA Analysis, Approval, Rehearsals,
Execution
Correct Answer: b) Receive Mission, Mission Analysis, COA Development, COA Analysis, COA
Comparison, COA Approval, Orders Production
*Rationale: MDMP is a seven-step, iterative planning methodology. Step 1 is Receipt of Mission, Step 2
is Mission Analysis, Step 3 is COA Development, Step 4 is COA Analysis (War-gaming), Step 5 is COA
Comparison, Step 6 is COA Approval, and Step 7 is Orders Production. This sequence ensures a thorough
and logical progression from problem framing to order dissemination.*
2. Which statement best defines a Mission Statement?
a) A concise expression of the operation's purpose and the desired end state
b) The tasks, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason
therefore
c) A broad description of the commander's visualization of the operation
d) The allocation of resources to subordinate units to accomplish the mission
Correct Answer: b) The tasks, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken
and the reason therefore
Rationale: The mission statement answers the questions of "Who, What, When, Where, and Why." It
must contain the essential task (specified or implied) and the purpose. The "why" is critical as it provides
the context for subordinate decision-making.
,3. According to ADP 6-0, which of the following is NOT one of the six principles of mission command?
a) Build cohesive teams through mutual trust
b) Exercise disciplined initiative
c) Accept prudent risk
d) Centralized Execution with Decentralized Planning
Correct Answer: d) Centralized Execution with Decentralized Planning
Rationale: The six principles are: Build cohesive teams through mutual trust, Create shared
understanding, Provide a clear commander's intent, Exercise disciplined initiative, Use mission orders,
and Accept prudent risk. While mission command philosophy does involve centralizing planning and
decentralizing execution, this specific phrasing is not one of the six listed principles.
4. What is the definition of "Prudent Risk"?
a) Avoiding any tactical situation that could lead to casualties
b) A deliberate exposure to potential injury or loss when the commander judges the outcome in terms
of mission accomplishment as worth the cost
c) The mathematical probability of mission failure based on enemy capabilities
d) Risk that is only accepted during the defense, not the offense
Correct Answer: b) A deliberate exposure to potential injury or loss when the commander judges the
outcome in terms of mission accomplishment as worth the cost
Rationale: Prudent risk is central to mission command. It acknowledges that military operations are
inherently dangerous, but commanders must accept calculated risks where the potential gain justifies
the potential loss. It is different from reckless risk, which is taken without understanding the
consequences.
5. The Army's framework for exercising mission command is the:
a) Military Decision Making Process
b) Operations Process
c) Rapid Decision Making and Synchronization Process
d) Troop Leading Procedures
Correct Answer: b) Operations Process
Rationale: The operations process—plan, prepare, execute, and assess—is the overarching framework
within which commanders and staffs exercise mission command to integrate and synchronize operations.
6. (True/False) Staff Officers only communicate with higher echelons.
a) True
b) False
Correct Answer: b) False
Rationale: Staff officers must communicate laterally with peers in other staff sections, downward with
subordinate unit staffs, upward with higher headquarters staff, and outward with unified action
partners. Effective collaboration requires multidirectional communication.
7. What is the definition of "Information" within the context of Army doctrine?
a) Raw, unprocessed facts that have no inherent meaning
b) The meaning that a human assigns to data by means of the known conventions used in their
, representation
c) Intelligence products verified by multiple sources
d) The commander's personal intuition regarding the enemy
Correct Answer: b) The meaning that a human assigns to data by means of the known conventions
used in their representation
Rationale: Data becomes information when it is processed, organized, or given context. Information
becomes intelligence when it is analyzed to answer specific questions about the enemy or operational
environment.
8. A __________ is a difference between the actual situation during an operation and what the plan
forecasted the situation would be at that time or event.
a) Friction
b) Variance
c) Culmination point
d) Decision point
Correct Answer: b) Variance
Rationale: Identifying variances allows the commander and staff to assess whether the operation is
proceeding according to plan or if adjustments (such as reframing or branch plans) are required.
9. Which publication covers the Army Command Policy, including command relationships and the
conduct of personnel?
a) AR 710-2
b) FM 7-0
c) AR 600-20
d) ATP 4-90
Correct Answer: c) AR 600-20
*Rationale: Army Regulation 600-20, Army Command Policy, establishes the policies and responsibilities
of command, including NCO support channels, equal opportunity, and command climate.*
10. According to FM 6-0, what are the three types of briefing formats?
a) Formal, Informal, and Tactical
b) Information, Decision, and Mission
c) Operations, Intelligence, and Logistics
d) Command, Staff, and Subordinate
Correct Answer: b) Information, Decision, and Mission
Rationale: Information briefings inform the audience. Decision briefings seek a decision from the
commander. Mission briefings are used to deliver orders or directives to subordinates.
11. Which step of the briefing process involves building a briefing outline?
a) Plan
b) Prepare
c) Execute
d) Assess
