Definitions

DoD Dictionary

concept of operations - (DOD) A verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of a commander's assumptions or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations. The concept of operations frequently is embodied in campaign plans and operation plans; in the latter case, particularly when the plans cover a series of connected operations to be carried out simultaneously or in succession. The concept is designed to give an overall picture of the operation. It is included primarily for additional clarity of purpose. Also called commander's concept or CONOPS.


note: CONOPS is also used by some parties to mean Continental US Operations, Contingency Operations, Continuity of Operations, Continuous Operations, and Control Operations.

Army Field Manual FM 6-20-30, chapter 2

includes discussion of commander's concept of operations statement in the commander's estimate

This is a statement of the commander's intent which expands why the force has been tasked to do the mission stated in paragraph 2. It tells what results are expected; how these results facilitate future operations; and how, In broad terms, the commander visualizes achieving those results (force as a whole). The concept is stated in enough detail to ensure appropriate action by subordinates in the absence of additional communications or further instructions. The who that will accomplish the concept of operation will be in subparagraphs to paragraph 3a. Style is not emphasized, but the concept statement should not exceed five or six sentences written or personally approved by the commander.

General Resources

See National Strategy documents

See Transformation of War & U.S. Military, including AF

See Lessons Learned

Training Circular 25-20, A Leader's Guide to After-Action Reviews, Army HQ, 30 Sep 1993 -- "a leader's guide on how to plan, prepare, and conduct an AAR. It supplements and expands the guidance in Field Manual (FM) 25-101. Competent leaders must understand and apply the techniques and procedures which produce good AARs." - available at Center for Army Lessons Learned

See National, DoD, and Service Visions

See National, Military, and Space Doctrine

See DoD and Service Publications

See Critical Thinking

See Analysis and Decision Making

A Practical Guide for Developing and Writing Military Concepts (local copy), by Schmitt, Defense Adaptive Red Team (DART), Working Paper 02-4, Dec 2002

Joint Staff Officer's Guide Pub 1

• Chapter 3 - Campaigning
• Chapter 4 - Deliberate Planning, including concept development
• Chapter 5 - Crisis Action Planning

Air Force CONOPS

AF Policy Directive 10-28, Air Force Concept Development

USAF CONOPS Champions website -- first place to look for info on AF CONOPS

Expeditionary Medical Logistics Concepts of Operations

Global Strike Task Force (GSTF): A Transforming Concept, Forged by Experience, by Jumper, in Airpower Journal, Spring 2001

Counter-Chemical Warfare CONOPS guidance/support

See Chem-Bio references

See C-CW CONOPS Briefings posted by CPC

Counter-CBRNE Library

Counter-Chemical Warfare Concept of Operations, Air Force Qualification Training Package 3E9X1 -- 2 CD-ROM set of training materials, from the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency (AFCESA)/CEXR

DoD Response and Contingency Plans

See National Strategy documents

See Guidance, Plans, and Laws on AWC Gateway to Homeland Security

Joint Pub 3-07.2, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Antiterrorism

Joint Pub 3-08, Interagency Coordination During Joint Operations Vol 1
Joint Pub 3-08, Interagency Coordination During Joint Operations Vol 2

DoD 3150.8-M, Nuclear Weapon Accident Response Procedures (NARP) Manual,

developed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

DoD 3025.1-M, DoD Manual for Civil Emergencies

provides guidance for the preparation, coordination and execution of military support to civil authorities during civil emergencies within the United States, its territories, and possessions.

DoD Instruction 2000.18, Department of Defense Installation Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosive Emergency Response Guidelines

• 1. Implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures under references (a) through (g) to establish and implement a program for a worldwide Department of Defense (DoD) installation emergency response to manage the consequences of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) incident.
• 2. Provides guidance for the establishment of a CBRNE preparedness program for emergency responders at all DoD installations. DoD installation emergency responders must be prepared to respond to the effects of a CBRNE incident to preserve life, prevent human suffering, mitigate the incident and protect critical assets and infrastructure.

USCG Incident Management Handbook, includes sections on command, rescue, terrorism, fire, hazardous substance releases, glossary, and standard forms/checklists

Managing the Consequences of Domestic WMD Incidents

Chapter 7 from ADR 2001, DoD Annual Report to the President and the Congress. Discusses units, capabilities, and responsibilities. Needs to be updated to take into account changes such as the creation of NORTHCOM and transfer of units/responsibilities to it from JFCOM.

DoD Plan for Integrating National Guard and Reserve Component Support for Response to Attacks Using Weapons of Mass Destruction, prepared by the DoD Tiger Team, January, 1998

Annex A - Acronyms
Annex B - References, regs, statutes, etc.

Other Response and Contingency Plans

See Federal Resources on First Response page for the
National Incident Management System (NIMS) and
National Response Plan (NRP)

See Immediate plans and guides on First Response page

See Military Plans above

See National Strategy documents

See Guidance, Plans, and Laws on AWC Gateway to Homeland Security

See Search and Rescue documents

National Response Plan (NRP) (local copy)

• designates primary agency and support agencies for each Emergency Support Function (ESF)

On-Scene Commander's Guide for Responding to Biological/Chemical Threats (local copy),

from the National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO)

Joint Information Center Model - Collaborative Communications During Emergency Response (local copy), 21 Jan 2000, National Response Team

Contingency Planning Guide for Information Technology Systems (local copy), NIST Special Publication 800-34

Interagency Management of Complex Crisis Operations (local copy), Jan 2003 handbook from NDU

Mass Decontamination

• Guidelines for Mass Casualty Decontamination During a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident (local copy), SBCCOM, Jan 2000
• Guidelines for Cold Weather Mass Decontamination During a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident (local copy), SBCCOM, Aug 2003
• Rapid Access Mass Decontamination Protocol (local copy), Capitol Region MMRS, Jan 2003

National Security Presidential Directive 1 (NSPD-1) (local copy), released 13 Feb 2001

- organizes the National Security Council, abolishes the existing system of Interagency Working Groups, and assigns responsibilities to NSC Policy Coordination Committees (NSC/PCCs) -- "Management of the development and implementation of national security policies by multiple agencies of the U.S. Government shall usually be accomplished by the NSC Policy Coordination Committees (NSC/PCCs). The NSC/PCCs shall be the main day-to-day fora for an interagency coordination of national security policy."

United States Government Interagency Domestic Terrorism Concept of Operations Plan (CONPLAN) (local copy)

Presidential Decision Directive 56 - Managing Complex Contingency Operations (local copy)

• Annex A: Illustrative Components of a Political-Military Plan for a Complex Contingency Operation

Complex Contingency Operations Handbook (local copy), supporting PDD 56

Guidelines for Responding to a Chemical Weapons Incident (local copy), SBCCOM, Aug 2003

Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan (FRERP) - (local copy)

EPA Radiological Emergency Response Plan (local copy)

FBI Nuclear Incident Contingency Plan (NICP) - (classified)

The National Response Team's Integrated Contingency Plan Guidance (One Plan)

National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) (local copy) and

• EPA overview of NCP
• NCP pieces, versions, etc., posted by EPA

National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines (local copy), August 2002, USCG and Dept of Transportation

USCG Incident Management Handbook, includes sections on command, rescue, terrorism, fire, hazardous substance releases, glossary, and standard forms/checklists