Joint Firepower Course 20-003 Final Exam
Questions with Correct Answers | Latest
2026/2027 Update | Graded A+.
Major Missions Command Activities in the Operations Process - PLAN, PREPARE,
EXECUTE, ASSESS. Commanders drive the operations process, apply critical and
creative thinking, build and maintain situational understanding, and encourage
collaboration and dialogue
What is a Plan? - Synchronizes the actions of forces in time, space, and purpose to
achieve objectives and accomplish missions.
*Types of Plans*
*1. Campaign Plan (Only JFCs develop)*
- Series of related operations
*2. Operational Plan (OPLAN)*
- Address extended period or series of Objectives/Operations
*3. Supporting Plan*
- Prepared by subordinate commander to satisfy requirements
*4. Concept Plan*
- Abbreviated format
*5. Branch*
- A planned adjustment based on a decision point/triggering mechanism *6. Sequel*
- Follow on or extension of the existing plan
Warning Order (WARNORD) - A preliminary notice of actions or orders that are to
follow. Follows the five paragraph OPORD format. Includes Type of operation, general
location of the operation, initial timeline, movement or reconnaissance to iniate as a
minimum
Operations Order (OPORD) - Used to direct unit operations in support of the mission.
Utilizes the five paragraph format (*Situation, Mission, Execution, Sustainment,
Command and Signal*) Provides a mission statement (*it is the who, what, when,
where, and why*)
Fragmentary Order (FRAGORD) - Provides timely changes of existing orders to
subordinates while providing notifications to higher. Follows the five paragraph OPORD
format, but addresses only the parts of the original order that have changed.
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - XO - Executive Officer (XO)
- Commanders principal assistant; XO at Brigade and below, Chief of Staff at Division or
higher
,Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - S-3 - Operations Officer (S-3) -
Coordinating staff officer; Responsible for, and synchronizes, all maneuver and
maneuver support elements.
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - S-2 - Intelligence (S-2)
- Coordinating staff officer; Responsible for information collection including all ISR.
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Fire Support Officer (FSO) - Fire Support
Officer (FSO)
- Special staff officer; Plans, coordinates, and executes all fires, also responsible for the
Fires Cell (FC); FSO at Brigade and below, DFSCOORD at Division/Corps
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Air Liaison Officer (ALO) - Air Liaison Officer
(ALO
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Air Defense Airspace Management (ADAM) -
Air Defense Airspace Management
- Special staff officer; Senior air defense artillery officer in the command, coordinates
airspace control measures to support air and missile defense operations (Airspace
Integrator). Often collocated with the Brigade Aviation Element
Seven steps of the Military Decision Making Process: - The MDMP process provides
an analyzed solution to a tactical military problem.
*Seven Steps of MDMP*
*1) Receive the mission*
- Alerts all participants of the pending plan requirements, enabling them to determine
amount of time available for planning.
*2) Mission Analysis*
- An assessment of the situation that enables units to better see themselves and the
enemy. (The WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY)
*3) Course of Action Development*
- Development of options for subsequent analysis and comparison (The HOW)
*4) Course of Action Analysis (Wargaming)*
- Identifies which COAs accomplish the mission
*5) Course of Action Comparison*
- Independent evaluation of each COAs strenght/weaknesses
*6) Course of Action Approval*
- Commander selects the COA that best accomplishes the mission and his intent.
*7) Orders Production*
- Turns the selected COA into a five paragraph OPORD
Five Paragraphs of an Operations Order - Situation, Mission, Execution,
Sustainment, Command and Signal. Also includes many appendices and annexes
*(Annex D, Appendix 5: Air Support (CAS Task and Distribution)*
Situation Paragraph of an OPORD - *Situation (1st Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Area of interest, area of operations, enemy and friendly forces, interagency and
NGOs, civil considerations, attachments and detachments, assumptions
Mission Paragraph of an OPORD - *Mission (2nd Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Mission critical elements include the WHO, WHAT (Task), WHEN, WHERE, and WHY.
, Execution Paragraph of an OPORD - *Execution (3rd Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Includes the commanders intent (PURPOSE, KEY TASK, AND ENDSTATE). Overall
concept of the operation, including scheme of employment for each warfighting
function (Scheme of fires to include air operations).
- Special staff office; Advises commander/staff on aerospace assets, coordinates
tactical air support missions with the FSO and manages the TACP
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Brigade Aviation Element (BAE) - Brigade
Aviation Element
- Special staff officer (Rated aviation officer); Performs the airspace control function
(Airspace integrator). Often collocated with the Air Defense Airspace Management
Officer (ADAM/BAE)
- Individual tasks to subordinate units (Task and Purpose) - Coordinating instructions to
two or more units.
Sustainment Paragraph of an OPORD - *Sustainment (4th Paragraph of an
OPORD)*
- States the concept of support before, during, and after the operation. Includes
administrative movements, transportation, logistics, personnel, and Army health
system support
Command and Signal Paragraph of an OPORD - *Command and Signal (5th
Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Location of the commander, location of command posts, signal support
Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles - Vehicles designed for operations *AT OR
BEYOND THE FLOT*, not to initiate combat but to survive if engaged. Includes
*Armored Scout Cars, Light Patrol Vehicles, and Light Strike Vehicles.*
Two Categories ofArmored Fighting Vehicles - *1) Main Battle Tanks (MBT)* -
Heavily armored, 75mm or more and weigh over 30 tons
*2) Light tanks* - Are tracked, have armor protection, 60mm or greater guns and are
lighted than MBTs
Two Classes of Light Armored Fighting Vehicles - *1) Armored Personnel Carriers* -
Carry soldiers into close combat zone, then dismount to continue the fight.
*2) Infantry Fighting Vehicles* - Designed to fight while onboard, to carry troops forward
- Self Propelled Units; Tracked or wheeled, Platoons/Batteries of four vehicles, typically
operate in pairs (Leader/Wingman).
Tactical Range up to 45,000 FT
Vertical Range up to 65,000 FT
Air Defense Systems - Radar Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (SAMS) - *Radar
Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (SAMS)*
Short Range - 2.5 NM to 15 NM
Questions with Correct Answers | Latest
2026/2027 Update | Graded A+.
Major Missions Command Activities in the Operations Process - PLAN, PREPARE,
EXECUTE, ASSESS. Commanders drive the operations process, apply critical and
creative thinking, build and maintain situational understanding, and encourage
collaboration and dialogue
What is a Plan? - Synchronizes the actions of forces in time, space, and purpose to
achieve objectives and accomplish missions.
*Types of Plans*
*1. Campaign Plan (Only JFCs develop)*
- Series of related operations
*2. Operational Plan (OPLAN)*
- Address extended period or series of Objectives/Operations
*3. Supporting Plan*
- Prepared by subordinate commander to satisfy requirements
*4. Concept Plan*
- Abbreviated format
*5. Branch*
- A planned adjustment based on a decision point/triggering mechanism *6. Sequel*
- Follow on or extension of the existing plan
Warning Order (WARNORD) - A preliminary notice of actions or orders that are to
follow. Follows the five paragraph OPORD format. Includes Type of operation, general
location of the operation, initial timeline, movement or reconnaissance to iniate as a
minimum
Operations Order (OPORD) - Used to direct unit operations in support of the mission.
Utilizes the five paragraph format (*Situation, Mission, Execution, Sustainment,
Command and Signal*) Provides a mission statement (*it is the who, what, when,
where, and why*)
Fragmentary Order (FRAGORD) - Provides timely changes of existing orders to
subordinates while providing notifications to higher. Follows the five paragraph OPORD
format, but addresses only the parts of the original order that have changed.
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - XO - Executive Officer (XO)
- Commanders principal assistant; XO at Brigade and below, Chief of Staff at Division or
higher
,Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - S-3 - Operations Officer (S-3) -
Coordinating staff officer; Responsible for, and synchronizes, all maneuver and
maneuver support elements.
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - S-2 - Intelligence (S-2)
- Coordinating staff officer; Responsible for information collection including all ISR.
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Fire Support Officer (FSO) - Fire Support
Officer (FSO)
- Special staff officer; Plans, coordinates, and executes all fires, also responsible for the
Fires Cell (FC); FSO at Brigade and below, DFSCOORD at Division/Corps
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Air Liaison Officer (ALO) - Air Liaison Officer
(ALO
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Air Defense Airspace Management (ADAM) -
Air Defense Airspace Management
- Special staff officer; Senior air defense artillery officer in the command, coordinates
airspace control measures to support air and missile defense operations (Airspace
Integrator). Often collocated with the Brigade Aviation Element
Seven steps of the Military Decision Making Process: - The MDMP process provides
an analyzed solution to a tactical military problem.
*Seven Steps of MDMP*
*1) Receive the mission*
- Alerts all participants of the pending plan requirements, enabling them to determine
amount of time available for planning.
*2) Mission Analysis*
- An assessment of the situation that enables units to better see themselves and the
enemy. (The WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY)
*3) Course of Action Development*
- Development of options for subsequent analysis and comparison (The HOW)
*4) Course of Action Analysis (Wargaming)*
- Identifies which COAs accomplish the mission
*5) Course of Action Comparison*
- Independent evaluation of each COAs strenght/weaknesses
*6) Course of Action Approval*
- Commander selects the COA that best accomplishes the mission and his intent.
*7) Orders Production*
- Turns the selected COA into a five paragraph OPORD
Five Paragraphs of an Operations Order - Situation, Mission, Execution,
Sustainment, Command and Signal. Also includes many appendices and annexes
*(Annex D, Appendix 5: Air Support (CAS Task and Distribution)*
Situation Paragraph of an OPORD - *Situation (1st Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Area of interest, area of operations, enemy and friendly forces, interagency and
NGOs, civil considerations, attachments and detachments, assumptions
Mission Paragraph of an OPORD - *Mission (2nd Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Mission critical elements include the WHO, WHAT (Task), WHEN, WHERE, and WHY.
, Execution Paragraph of an OPORD - *Execution (3rd Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Includes the commanders intent (PURPOSE, KEY TASK, AND ENDSTATE). Overall
concept of the operation, including scheme of employment for each warfighting
function (Scheme of fires to include air operations).
- Special staff office; Advises commander/staff on aerospace assets, coordinates
tactical air support missions with the FSO and manages the TACP
Key Battalion/Brigade Staff Positions - Brigade Aviation Element (BAE) - Brigade
Aviation Element
- Special staff officer (Rated aviation officer); Performs the airspace control function
(Airspace integrator). Often collocated with the Air Defense Airspace Management
Officer (ADAM/BAE)
- Individual tasks to subordinate units (Task and Purpose) - Coordinating instructions to
two or more units.
Sustainment Paragraph of an OPORD - *Sustainment (4th Paragraph of an
OPORD)*
- States the concept of support before, during, and after the operation. Includes
administrative movements, transportation, logistics, personnel, and Army health
system support
Command and Signal Paragraph of an OPORD - *Command and Signal (5th
Paragraph of an OPORD)*
- Location of the commander, location of command posts, signal support
Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles - Vehicles designed for operations *AT OR
BEYOND THE FLOT*, not to initiate combat but to survive if engaged. Includes
*Armored Scout Cars, Light Patrol Vehicles, and Light Strike Vehicles.*
Two Categories ofArmored Fighting Vehicles - *1) Main Battle Tanks (MBT)* -
Heavily armored, 75mm or more and weigh over 30 tons
*2) Light tanks* - Are tracked, have armor protection, 60mm or greater guns and are
lighted than MBTs
Two Classes of Light Armored Fighting Vehicles - *1) Armored Personnel Carriers* -
Carry soldiers into close combat zone, then dismount to continue the fight.
*2) Infantry Fighting Vehicles* - Designed to fight while onboard, to carry troops forward
- Self Propelled Units; Tracked or wheeled, Platoons/Batteries of four vehicles, typically
operate in pairs (Leader/Wingman).
Tactical Range up to 45,000 FT
Vertical Range up to 65,000 FT
Air Defense Systems - Radar Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (SAMS) - *Radar
Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (SAMS)*
Short Range - 2.5 NM to 15 NM
