Decoding Critical Factors: How to Identify and Exploit Vulnerabilities in Complex Targets (Ep. 26)
Off the Radar, Special Operations Training DetachmentShow Notes
is episode is focused on Critical Factors Analysis. Army Special Operations Forces use Critical Factors Analysis at the Battalion or SOTF level and above to identify center(s) of gravity of an enemy force or target. This is taught at the SOF Operational Design Course. This framework of analysis is a tool for analysis and targeting that can be leveraged at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. At the National Training Center (NTC) MAJ Ficken and all Burro Observer Coach Trainers coaches and mentors SF AOBs to use doctrinal planning and analysis tools such as Critical Factors Analysis. Rotations at NTC and JRTC highlight the validity of our SOF, Army, and Joint Doctrine.
About the Guest:
MAJ Philip Ficken: Phil Ficken is the current Special Operations Training Detachment AOBWest Officer in Charge aka Commander. Prior to the he served as the Exercise Control Officer and J3 Operations Officer for SOTD AOB-W. Prior to that He served in various roles in 5th Special Forces Group including Company Commander, Staff positions, and Detachment Commander.
About the Host:
CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command.
This episode covers:
- Analysis for targeting: CRAVER, Critical Factors Analysis
- Joint Publications 5-0: Chapter 3:
- Centers of Gravity: source of power or strength that enables a force to achieve its objective
- Critical Factors Analysis: framework to identify center(s) of gravity
- Critical Capabilities: primary abilities that are essential to the accomplishment of the mission – example: Maneuver for a combined arms force
- Critical Requirements: “are the conditions, resources, and means that enable a critical capability to become fully operational” – fuel for a armored force
- Critical Vulnerabilities: “are those aspects or components of critical requirements that are deficient or vulnerable to direct or indirect attack in a manner achieving decisive or significant results.”
- When analyzing vulnerabilities consider the following: accessibility, redundancy, resiliency, and impact,
- If the enemy’s capability is not degraded through the removal or a requirement, then you have misidentified the critical requirement
- Conduct analysis on analog via a white board or similar, on left critical capabilities, middle critical requirements, circle the requirements you can target and that is the critical vulnerabilities for you to target
- Can be used to target non-kinetic, non-lethal, intangible targets
- Christmas leave example to demonstrate critical factors analysis
Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO.
To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected].
Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds
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