CGSC/ILE COMP STUDY TERMS X100.
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Operational Design - ANS the conception and construction of the intellectual framework that
underpins joint operations plans and their subsequent execution?
What is Operational Art? - ANS Operational Art is used to envision conditions that define the
desired end state and how to establish those conditions. it helps CDRs to understand, visualize,
and describe complex problems and develop a broad operational approach. it syncs our tactical
actions with strategic objectives.
What are the 12 principles of Joint Operations? - ANS Objective Offensive Mass Maneuver
Economy of Force Unity of Command Security Surprise Simplicity Restraint Perseverance
Legitimacy
What is the PPBE Process? - ANS It is the primary system to manage the Army's financial
systems. Its purpose is to provide civilian control and strategic direction to DOD and the US
Army.
What are the 4 steps in the Material Acquisition Process? - ANS 1) Initial Capabilities
Document (ICD)
2) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)
3) Capabilities Development Document (CDD)
4) Capabilities Production Document (CPD)
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, What is the difference between prescriptive and descriptive doctrine? - ANS Prescriptive
doctrine must be followed to comply with law, common language, control measures, reports,
while descriptive doctrine leaders should apply judgement with the OE and mission variables in
mind and deviate when need and justified.
What are the elements of the ethical triangle? - ANS Principles: Act in accordance with the
established values and principles. Virtues: Golden Rule; Do unto others as you would have them
do to you. Consequences: Do the greatest good for the greatest number.
What are the 5 Phases of the Army Force Development Process? - ANS 1) Develop
Capabilities 2) Design Organizations 3) Develop Organizational Models 4) Determine
Authorizations 5) Document Organization Authorizations
Commander's Planning Guidance - ANS Describe the OE. Describe the problem. Describe the
operational approach. Give the CDR's Initial Intent.
What are the elements of system's prespective? - ANS RAFT - Relationships, Actors,
Functions, Tension.
Mission Command as a Warfighting Function - ANS It is the related tasks and mission
command systems that support the commander's exercise of authority and direction.
Decision Point - ANS a point in space or time the commander or staff anticipate making a key
decision concerning a specific course of action.
Decisive Operation - ANS the operation that directly accomplishes the mission. It determines
the outcome of a major operation, battle, or engagement. The decisive operation is the focal
point around which commanders design an entire operation.
Three operational frameworks - ANS Decisive-Shaping-Sustaining. Deep-Close-Security. Main
Effort-Supporting Effort.
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, What is IPB? - ANS the systematic process of analyzing of METT-TC in the AI to determine
their effect on operations.
What is JIPOE? - ANS a systematic approach used by intelligence personnel to analyze the
adversary and other relevant aspects of the operational environment.
The 4 Steps to IPB - ANS 1) Define the OE. 2) Describe the Environmental Effects on
Operations. 3) Evaluate the Threat. 4) Determine Threat/Adversary COAs.
Characteristics of the Defense - ANS Disruption, Flexibility, Maneuver, Mass/Concentration,
Operations in Depth, Preparation, Security
Primary Defensive Tasks - ANS Area Defense, Mobile Defense, Retrograde
Leadership - ANS The Army defines leadership as "the process of influencing people by
providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission, and improve the
organization." Within this definition, leaders influence the organization through positional and
personal power in order to achieve compliance and commitment.
Clausewitz Trinity - ANS Reason (the government), chance (the military), and passion (the
people)
Concept of friction in war - ANS Danger, physical effort, and ambigous information
Center of Gravity (doctrine) - ANS The source of power that provides moral or physical
strength, freedom of action, or will to act.
Center of Gravity (theory) - ANS The hub of all power and movement, on which everything
depends; The CoG's movement and direction govern the rest.
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, The purpose of CoG Analysis - ANS Help JFCs and staffs analyze friendly and adversary
sources of strength as well as weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Operational Art - ANS A deliberate process designed to Understand and Visualize the
Environment in order to develop a strategy. It is a vision that links tactical actions to strategic
objectives.
Operational Methodology - ANS Understand the strategic direction. Understand the OE.
Understand the problem.
Elements of Operational Design - ANS Termination, Military End State, Objectives, Effects,
CoG, Decisive Points, LOO/LOEs, Direct & Indirect Approach, Anticipation, Operational Reach,
Culmination, Arranging Operations, Forces & Functions, Phasing
Critical Capabilities - ANS verb; considered crucial enablers for a COG to function as such,
and are essential to the accomplishment of the adversary's assumed objective(s)
Critical Requirements - ANS noun; the conditions, resources, and means that enable a critical
capability to become fully operational
Critical Vulnerability - ANS aspects or components of critical requirements that are deficient
and can be targeted
Decisive Point - ANS a geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function that,
when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage
ULO - ANS how the Army seizes, retains, and exploits the initiative to gain and maintain a
position of relative advantage in sustained land operations
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EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Operational Design - ANS the conception and construction of the intellectual framework that
underpins joint operations plans and their subsequent execution?
What is Operational Art? - ANS Operational Art is used to envision conditions that define the
desired end state and how to establish those conditions. it helps CDRs to understand, visualize,
and describe complex problems and develop a broad operational approach. it syncs our tactical
actions with strategic objectives.
What are the 12 principles of Joint Operations? - ANS Objective Offensive Mass Maneuver
Economy of Force Unity of Command Security Surprise Simplicity Restraint Perseverance
Legitimacy
What is the PPBE Process? - ANS It is the primary system to manage the Army's financial
systems. Its purpose is to provide civilian control and strategic direction to DOD and the US
Army.
What are the 4 steps in the Material Acquisition Process? - ANS 1) Initial Capabilities
Document (ICD)
2) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)
3) Capabilities Development Document (CDD)
4) Capabilities Production Document (CPD)
1 Copyright ©BRIGHSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2025
, What is the difference between prescriptive and descriptive doctrine? - ANS Prescriptive
doctrine must be followed to comply with law, common language, control measures, reports,
while descriptive doctrine leaders should apply judgement with the OE and mission variables in
mind and deviate when need and justified.
What are the elements of the ethical triangle? - ANS Principles: Act in accordance with the
established values and principles. Virtues: Golden Rule; Do unto others as you would have them
do to you. Consequences: Do the greatest good for the greatest number.
What are the 5 Phases of the Army Force Development Process? - ANS 1) Develop
Capabilities 2) Design Organizations 3) Develop Organizational Models 4) Determine
Authorizations 5) Document Organization Authorizations
Commander's Planning Guidance - ANS Describe the OE. Describe the problem. Describe the
operational approach. Give the CDR's Initial Intent.
What are the elements of system's prespective? - ANS RAFT - Relationships, Actors,
Functions, Tension.
Mission Command as a Warfighting Function - ANS It is the related tasks and mission
command systems that support the commander's exercise of authority and direction.
Decision Point - ANS a point in space or time the commander or staff anticipate making a key
decision concerning a specific course of action.
Decisive Operation - ANS the operation that directly accomplishes the mission. It determines
the outcome of a major operation, battle, or engagement. The decisive operation is the focal
point around which commanders design an entire operation.
Three operational frameworks - ANS Decisive-Shaping-Sustaining. Deep-Close-Security. Main
Effort-Supporting Effort.
2 Copyright ©BRIGHSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2025
, What is IPB? - ANS the systematic process of analyzing of METT-TC in the AI to determine
their effect on operations.
What is JIPOE? - ANS a systematic approach used by intelligence personnel to analyze the
adversary and other relevant aspects of the operational environment.
The 4 Steps to IPB - ANS 1) Define the OE. 2) Describe the Environmental Effects on
Operations. 3) Evaluate the Threat. 4) Determine Threat/Adversary COAs.
Characteristics of the Defense - ANS Disruption, Flexibility, Maneuver, Mass/Concentration,
Operations in Depth, Preparation, Security
Primary Defensive Tasks - ANS Area Defense, Mobile Defense, Retrograde
Leadership - ANS The Army defines leadership as "the process of influencing people by
providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission, and improve the
organization." Within this definition, leaders influence the organization through positional and
personal power in order to achieve compliance and commitment.
Clausewitz Trinity - ANS Reason (the government), chance (the military), and passion (the
people)
Concept of friction in war - ANS Danger, physical effort, and ambigous information
Center of Gravity (doctrine) - ANS The source of power that provides moral or physical
strength, freedom of action, or will to act.
Center of Gravity (theory) - ANS The hub of all power and movement, on which everything
depends; The CoG's movement and direction govern the rest.
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, The purpose of CoG Analysis - ANS Help JFCs and staffs analyze friendly and adversary
sources of strength as well as weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Operational Art - ANS A deliberate process designed to Understand and Visualize the
Environment in order to develop a strategy. It is a vision that links tactical actions to strategic
objectives.
Operational Methodology - ANS Understand the strategic direction. Understand the OE.
Understand the problem.
Elements of Operational Design - ANS Termination, Military End State, Objectives, Effects,
CoG, Decisive Points, LOO/LOEs, Direct & Indirect Approach, Anticipation, Operational Reach,
Culmination, Arranging Operations, Forces & Functions, Phasing
Critical Capabilities - ANS verb; considered crucial enablers for a COG to function as such,
and are essential to the accomplishment of the adversary's assumed objective(s)
Critical Requirements - ANS noun; the conditions, resources, and means that enable a critical
capability to become fully operational
Critical Vulnerability - ANS aspects or components of critical requirements that are deficient
and can be targeted
Decisive Point - ANS a geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function that,
when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage
ULO - ANS how the Army seizes, retains, and exploits the initiative to gain and maintain a
position of relative advantage in sustained land operations
4 Copyright ©BRIGHSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2025
