EN T TM HI T OF T H S W E' L L DE FE E AR ND D ST M TE ER U NI I CA • MY • DE P AR Joint Publication 3-13 AT E S O F A Information Operations 27 November 2012 Incorporating Change 1 20 November 2014 PREFACE 1 Scope This publication provides joint doctrine for the planning preparation execution and assessment of information operations across the range of military operations 2 Purpose This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for US military coordination with other US Government departments and agencies during operations and for US military involvement in multinational operations It provides military guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other joint force commanders JFCs and prescribes joint doctrine for operations education and training It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans It is not the intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the JFC from organizing the force and executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems most appropriate to ensure unity of effort in the accomplishment of the overall objective 3 Application a Joint doctrine established in this publication applies to the Joint Staff commanders of combatant commands subunified commands joint task forces subordinate components of these commands and the Services b The guidance in this publication is authoritative as such this doctrine will be followed except when in the judgment of the commander exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the contents of Service publications this publication will take precedence unless the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff normally in coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has provided more current and specific guidance Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational alliance or coalition military command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified by the United States For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States commanders should evaluate and follow the multinational command’s doctrine and procedures where applicable and consistent with United States law regulations and doctrine For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CURTIS M SCAPARROTTI Lieutenant General U S Army Director Joint Staff i Preface Intentionally Blank ii JP 3 13 SUMMARY OF CHANGES CHANGE 1 TO JOINT PUBLICATION 3-13 DATED 27 NOVEMBER 2012 • Describes techniques for assessing information related capabilities IRC and techniques for assessing the integration of the IRCs in support of the joint force commander’s objectives • Expands guidance for the 8-step assessment process • Provides additional information about private sector assessment techniques including the theory of change • Expands discussion of sound assessment with a focused organized approach that is being developed in conjunction with the initial operation plan • Emphasizes the need for assessments to be periodically adjusted to avoid becoming obsolete iii Summary of Changes Intentionally Blank iV JP 3 13 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ix CHAPTER I OVERVIEW • • • Introduction I-1 The Information Environment I-1 The Information and Influence Relational Framework and the Application of Information-Related Capabilities I-3 CHAPTER II INFORMATION OPERATIONS • • • • • Introduction II-1 Terminology II-1 Information Operations and the Information-Influence Relational Framework II-1 The Information Operations Staff and Information Operations Cell II-2 Relationships and Integration II-5 CHAPTER III AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBILITIES AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS • • • • Introduction III-1 Authorities III-1 Responsibilities III-1 Legal Considerations III-3 CHAPTER IV INTEGRATING INFORMATION-RELATED CAPABILITIES INTO THE JOINT OPERATION PLANNING PROCESS • • • Introduction IV-1 Information Operations Planning IV-1 Information Operations Phasing and Synchronization IV-11 CHAPTER V MULTINATIONAL INFORMATION OPERATIONS • • • • Introduction V-1 Other Nations and Information Operations V-2 Multinational Information Operations Considerations V-2 Planning Integration and Command and Control of Information Operations in Multinational Operations V-3 v Table of Contents • • Multinational Organization for Information Operations Planning V-5 Multinational Policy Coordination V-5 CHAPTER VI INFORMATION OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT • Introduction VI-1 • Understanding Information Operations Assessment VI-1 • Purpose of Assessment in Information Operations VI-2 • Impact of the Information Environment on Assessment VI-2 • The Information Operations Assessment Process VI-3 • Barriers to Information Operations Assessment VI-10 • Organizing for Operation Assessment VI-10 • Measures and Indicators VI-11 • Considerations VI-13 • Categories of Assessment VI-13 APPENDIX A B References A-1 Administrative Instructions B-1 GLOSSARY Part I Part II Abbreviations and Acronyms GL-1 Terms and Definitions GL-3 FIGURE I-1 I-2 I-3 I-4 I-5 II-1 II-2 II-3 II-4 II-5 IV-1 IV-2 IV-3 V-1 vi The Information Environment I-2 Target Audiences I-4 Application of Means to Achieve Influence I-6 Application of Information-Related Capabilities to Achieve Influence I-7 Influence Leads to Achievement of an End s I-8 Notional Operation Plan Phases II-2 Information Operations Cell Chief Functions II-5 Notional Information Operations Cell II-6 Notional Joint Interagency Coordination Group Structure II-8 Notional Joint Intelligence Support Element and Joint Intelligence Operations Center II-11 Information Operations Planning within the Joint Operation Planning Process IV-3 Examples of Measures of Performance Feedback IV-8 Possible Sources of Measures of Effectiveness Feedback IV-9 Information Operations in the Multinational Environment V-1 JP 3-13 Table of Contents V-2 VI-1 Notional Multinational Information Operations Coordination Board V-4 Information Operations Assessment Framework VI-3 vii Table of Contents Intentionally Blank JP 3 13 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY COMMANDER’S OVERVIEW • Provides an Overview of Information Operations IO and the Information Environment • Describes IO and Its Relationships and Integration • Addresses IO Authorities Responsibilities and Legal Considerations • Explains Integrating Information-Related Capabilities into the Joint Operation Planning Process • Covers Multinational Information Operations Overview The ability to share information in near real time anonymously and or securely is a capability that is both an asset and a potential vulnerability to us our allies and our adversaries The instruments of national power diplomatic informational military and economic provide leaders in the US with the means and ways of dealing with crises around the world Employing these means in the information environment requires the ability to securely transmit receive store and process information in near real time The nation’s state and non-state adversaries are equally aware of the significance of this new technology and will use information-related capabilities IRCs to gain advantages in the information environment just as they would use more traditional military technologies to gain advantages in other operational environments As the strategic environment continues to change so does information operations IO Based on these changes the Secretary of Defense now characterizes IO as the integrated employment during military operations of IRCs in concert with other lines of operation to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp the decision making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own The Information Environment The information environment is the aggregate of individuals organizations and systems that collect process disseminate or act on information This environment consists of three ix Executive Summary The joint force commander’s operational environment is the composite of the conditions circumstances and influences that affect employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander encompassing physical areas and factors of the air land maritime and space domains as well as the information environment which includes cyberspace interrelated dimensions which continuously interact with individuals organizations and systems These dimensions are known as physical informational and cognitive The physical dimension is composed of command and control systems key decision makers and supporting infrastructure that enable individuals and organizations to create effects The informational dimension specifies where and how information is collected processed stored disseminated and protected The cognitive dimension encompasses the minds of those who transmit receive and respond to or act on information The Information and Influence Relational Framework and the Application of InformationRelated Capabilities IRCs are the tools techniques or activities that affect any of the three dimensions of the information environment The joint force means employs IRCs ways to affect the information provided to or disseminated from the target audience TA in the physical and informational dimensions of the information environment to affect decision making Information Operations The relational framework describes the Information Operations and the Information-Influence Relational application integration and synchronization of IRCs to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp the Framework decision making of TAs to create a desired effect to support achievement of an objective The Information Operations Staff Joint force commanders JFCs may establish an and Information Operations Cell IO staff to provide command-level oversight and collaborate with all staff directorates and supporting organizations on all aspects of IO Most combatant commands CCMDs include an IO staff to serve as the focal point for IO Faced with an ongoing or emerging crisis within a geographic combatant commander’s GCC’s area of responsibility a JFC can establish an IO cell to provide additional expertise and coordination across the staff and interagency x JP 3-13 Executive Summary Relationships and Integration IO is not about ownership of individual capabilities but rather the use of those capabilities as force multipliers to create a desired effect There are many military capabilities that contribute to IO and should be taken into consideration during the planning process These include strategic communication joint interagency coordination group public affairs civil-military operations cyberspace operations CO information assurance space operations military information support operations MISO intelligence military deception operations security special technical operations joint electromagnetic spectrum operations and key leader engagement Authorities Responsibilities and Legal Considerations Department of Defense DOD and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CJCS directives delegate authorities to DOD components Among these directives Department of Defense Directive The authority to employ information-related capabilities is 3600 01 Information Operations is the principal IO policy document Its joint counterpart rooted foremost in Title 10 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction United States Code 3210 01 Joint Information Operations Policy provides joint policy regarding the use of IRCs professional qualifications for the joint IO force as well as joint IO education and training requirements Based upon the contents of these two documents authority to conduct joint IO is vested in the combatant commander CCDR who in turn can delegate operational authority to a subordinate JFC as appropriate Authorities Responsibilities Under Secretary of Defense for Policy oversees and manages DOD-level IO programs and activities Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence develops coordinates and oversees the implementation of DOD intelligence policy programs and guidance for intelligence activities supporting IO xi Executive Summary Joint Staff As the Joint IO Proponent the Deputy Director for Global Operations J-39 DDGO serves as the CJCS’s focal point for IO and coordinates with the Joint Staff CCMDs and other organizations that have direct or supporting IO responsibilities Joint Information Operations Warfare Center JIOWC is a CJCS controlled activity reporting to the operations directorate of a joint staff via J39 DDGO The JIOWC supports the Joint Staff by ensuring operational integration of IRCs in support of IO improving DOD’s ability to meet CCMD IRC requirements as well as developing and refining IRCs for use in support of IO across DOD Combatant Commands The Unified Command Plan provides guidance to CCDRs assigning them missions and force structure as well as geographic or functional areas of responsibility In addition to these responsibilities the Commander United States Special Operations Command is also responsible for integrating and coordinating MISO This responsibility is focused on enhancing interoperability and providing other CCDRs with MISO planning and execution capabilities In similar fashion the Commander United States Strategic Command is responsible for advocating on behalf of the IRCs of electronic warfare and CO Service component command responsibilities include recommending to the JFC the proper employment of the Service component IRCs in support of joint IO Like Service component commands functional component commands have authority over forces or in the case of IO IRCs as delegated by the establishing authority normally a CCDR or JFC Legal Considerations xii IO planners deal with legal considerations of an extremely diverse and complex nature For this JP 3-13 Executive Summary reason joint IO planners should consult their staff judge advocate or legal advisor for expert advice Integrating Information-Related Capabilities into the Joint Operation Planning Process Information Operations Planning The IO cell chief is responsible to the JFC for integrating IRCs into the joint operation planning process JOPP Thus the IO staff is responsible for coordinating and synchronizing IRCs to accomplish the JFC’s objectives The IO cell chief ensures joint IO planners adequately represent the IO cell within the joint planning group and other JFC planning processes Doing so will help ensure that IRCs are integrated with all planning efforts As part of JOPP designation of release and execution authorities for IRCs is required Normally the JFC is designated in the execution order as the execution authority Given the fact that IRC effects are often required across multiple operational phases each capability requires separate and distinct authorities Information Operations Phasing and Synchronization Through its contributions to the GCC’s theater campaign plan it is clear that joint IO is expected to play a major role in all phases of joint operations This means that the GCC’s IO staff and IO cell must account for logical transitions from phase to phase as joint IO moves from the main effort to a supporting effort Multinational Information Operations Other Nations and Information Operations Multinational partners recognize a variety of information concepts and possess sophisticated doctrine procedures and capabilities Given these potentially diverse perspectives regarding IO it is essential for the multinational force commander MNFC to resolve potential conflicts as soon as possible It is vital to integrate multinational partners into IO planning as early as possible to gain agreement on an integrated and achievable IO strategy When the JFC is also the MNFC the joint force Multinational Organization for Information Operations Planning staff should be augmented by planners and subject xiii Executive Summary matter experts from the multinational force MNF MNF IO planners and IRC specialists should be trained on US and MNF doctrine requirements resources and how the MNF is structured to integrate IRCs IO planners should seek to accommodate the requirements of each multinational partner within given constraints with the goal of using all the available expertise and capabilities of the MNF Multinational Policy Coordination The Joint Staff coordinates US positions on IO matters delegated to them as a matter of law or policy and discusses them bilaterally or in multinational organizations to achieve interoperability and compatibility in fulfilling common requirements Direct discussions regarding multinational IO planning in specific theaters are the responsibility of the GCC Information Operations Assessment Information Operations assessment is iterative continuously repeating rounds of analysis within the operations cycle in order to measure the progress of information related capabilities toward achieving objectives Assessment of IO is a key component of the commander’s decision cycle helping to determine the results of tactical actions in the context of overall mission objectives and providing potential recommendations for refinement of future plans Assessments also provide opportunities to identify IRC shortfalls changes in parameters and or conditions in the information environment which may cause unintended effects in the employment of IRCs and resource issues that may be impeding joint IO effectiveness The Information Operations Assessment Process A solution to these assessment requirements is the eight-step assessment process • • • • • xiv Focused characterization of the information environment Integrate information operations assessment into plans and develop the assessment plan Develop information operations assessment information requirements and collection plans Build modify information operations assessment baseline Coordinate and execute information operations and collection activities JP 3-13 Executive Summary • • • Monitor and collect focused information environment data for information operations assessment Analyze information operations assessment data Report information operations assessment results and recommendations Measures and Indicators Measures of performance MOPs and measures of effectiveness MOEs help accomplish the assessment process by qualifying or quantifying the intangible attributes of the information environment The MOP for any one action should be whether or not the TA was exposed to the IO action or activity MOEs should be observable to aid with collection quantifiable to increase objectivity precise to ensure accuracy and correlated with the progress of the operation to attain timeliness Indicators are crucial because they aid the joint IO planner in informing MOEs and should be identifiable across the center of gravity critical factors Considerations Assessment teams may not have direct access to a TA for a variety of reasons The goal of measurement is not to achieve perfect accuracy or precision—given the ever present biases of theory and the limitations of tools that exist—but rather to reduce uncertainty about the value being measured CONCLUSION This publication provides joint doctrine for the planning preparation execution and assessment of information operations across the range of military operations xv Executive Summary Intentionally Blank JP 3 13 CHAPTER I OVERVIEW “The most hateful human misfortune is for a wise man to have no influence ” Greek Historian Herodotus 484-425 BC 1 Introduction a The growth of communication networks has decreased the number of isolated populations in the world The emergence of advanced wired and wireless information technology facilitates global communication by corporations violent extremist organizations and individuals The ability to share information in near real time anonymously and or securely is a capability that is both an asset and a potential vulnerability to us our allies and our adversaries Information is a powerful tool to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp an adversary’s ability to make and share decisions b The instruments of national power diplomatic informational military and economic provide leaders in the United States with the means and ways of dealing with crises around the world Employing these means in the information environment requires the ability to securely transmit receive store and process information in near real time The nation’s state and non-state adversaries are equally aware of the significance of this new technology and will use information-related capabilities IRCs to gain advantages in the information environment just as they would use more traditional military technologies to gain advantages in other operational environments These realities have transformed the information environment into a battlefield which poses both a threat to the Department of Defense DOD combatant commands CCMDs and Service components and serves as a force multiplier when leveraged effectively c As the strategic environment continues to change so does IO Based on these changes the Secretary of Defense now characterizes IO as the integrated employment during military operations of IRCs in concert with other lines of operation to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp the decision making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own This revised characterization has led to a reassessment of how essential the information environment can be and how IRCs can be effectively integrated into joint operations to create effects and operationally exploitable conditions necessary for achieving the joint force commander’s JFC’s objectives 2 The Information Environment The information environment is the aggregate of individuals organizations and systems that collect process disseminate or act on information This environment consists of three interrelated dimensions which continuously interact with individuals organizations and systems These dimensions are the physical informational and cognitive see Figure I-1 The JFC’s operational environment is the composite of the conditions circumstances and influences that affect employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander I-1 Chapter I The Information Environment Cognitive Dimension Human-Centric Informational Dimension Physical Dimension Data-Centric Tangible Real World Figure I-1 The Information Environment encompassing physical areas and factors of the air land maritime and space domains as well as the information environment which includes cyberspace a The Physical Dimension The physical dimension is composed of command and control C2 systems key decision makers and supporting infrastructure that enable individuals and organizations to create effects It is the dimension where physical platforms and the communications networks that connect them reside The physical dimension includes but is not limited to human beings C2 facilities newspapers books microwave towers computer processing units laptops smart phones tablet computers or any other objects that are subject to empirical measurement The physical dimension is not confined solely to military or even nation-based systems and processes it is a defused network connected across national economic and geographical boundaries I-2 JP 3-13 Overview b The Informational Dimension The informational dimension encompasses where and how information is collected processed stored disseminated and protected It is the dimension where the C2 of military forces is exercised and where the commander’s intent is conveyed Actions in this dimension affect the content and flow of information c The Cognitive Dimension The cognitive dimension encompasses the minds of those who transmit receive and respond to or act on information It refers to individuals’ or groups’ information processing perception judgment and decision making These elements are influenced by many factors to include individual and cultural beliefs norms vulnerabilities motivations emotions experiences morals education mental health identities and ideologies Defining these influencing factors in a given environment is critical for understanding how to best influence the mind of the decision maker and create the desired effects As such this dimension constitutes the most important component of the information environment 3 The Information and Influence Relational Framework and the Application of Information-Related Capabilities a IRCs are the tools techniques or activities that affect any of the three dimensions of the information environment They affect the ability of the target audience TA to collect process or disseminate information before and after decisions are made The TA is the individual or group selected for influence The joint force means employs IRCs ways to affect the information provided to or disseminated from the TA in the physical and informational dimensions of the information environment to affect decision making see Figure I-2 The change in the TA conditions capabilities situational awareness and in some cases the inability to make and share timely and informed decisions contributes to the desired end state Actions or inactions in the physical dimension can be assessed for future operations The employment of IRCs is complemented by a set of capabilities such as operations security OPSEC information assurance IA counterdeception physical security electronic warfare EW support and electronic protection These capabilities are critical to enabling and protecting the JFC’s C2 of forces Key components in this process are 1 Information Data in context to inform or provide meaning for action 2 Data Interpreted signals that can reduce uncertainty or equivocality 3 Knowledge Information in context to enable direct action Knowledge can be further broken down into the following a Explicit Knowledge Knowledge that has been articulated through words diagrams formulas computer programs and like means b Tacit Knowledge Knowledge that cannot be or has not been articulated through words diagrams formulas computer programs and like means 4 Influence The act or power to produce a desired outcome or end on a TA I-3 Chapter I Target Audiences Cognitive Dimension Information Environment Human-Centric Target Audiences nF I nf or m atio Data-Centric w Flo tion rma Info Informational Dimension low Key Influencers Mass Audiences Physical Dimension Tangible Real World Vulnerable Populations Information Flow Figure I-2 Target Audiences 5 Means The resources available to a national government non-nation actor or adversary in pursuit of its end s These resources include but are not limited to public- and private-sector enterprise assets or entities 6 Ways How means can be applied in order to achieve a desired end s They can be characterized as persuasive or coercive 7 Information-Related Capabilities Tools techniques or activities using data information or knowledge to create effects and operationally desirable conditions within the physical informational and cognitive dimensions of the information environment 8 Target Audience An individual or group selected for influence 9 Ends A consequence of the way of applying IRCs I-4 JP 3-13 Overview 10 Using the framework the physical informational and cognitive dimensions of the information environment provide access points for influencing TAs see Figure I-2 b The purpose of integrating the employment of IRCs is to influence a TA While the behavior of individuals and groups as human social entities are principally governed by rules norms and beliefs the behaviors of systems principally reside within the physical and informational dimensions and are governed only by rules Under this construct rules norms and beliefs are 1 Rules Explicit regulative processes such as policies laws inspection routines or incentives Rules function as a coercive regulator of behavior and are dependent upon the imposing entity’s ability to enforce them 2 Norms Regulative mechanisms accepted by the social collective Norms are enforced by normative mechanisms within the organization and are not strictly dependent upon law or regulation 3 Beliefs The collective perception of fundamental truths governing behavior The adherence to accepted and shared beliefs by members of a social system will likely persist and be difficult to change over time Strong beliefs about determinant factors i e security survival or honor are likely to cause a social entity or group to accept rules and norms c The first step in achieving an end s through use of the information-influence relational framework is to identify the TA Once the TA has been identified it will be necessary to develop an understanding of how that TA perceives its environment to include analysis of TA rules norms and beliefs Once this analysis is complete the application of means available to achieve the desired end s must be evaluated see Figure I-3 Such means may include but are not limited to diplomatic informational military or economic actions as well as academic commercial religious or ethnic pronouncements When the specific means or combinations of means are determined the next step is to identify the specific ways to create a desired effect d Influencing the behavior of TAs requires producing effects in ways that modify rules norms or beliefs Effects can be created by means e g governmental academic cultural and private enterprise using specific ways i e IRCs to affect how the TAs collect process perceive disseminate and act or do not act on information see Figure I-4 e Upon deciding to persuade or coerce a TA the commander must then determine what IRCs it can apply to individuals organizations or systems in order to produce a desired effect s see Figure I-5 As stated IRCs can be capabilities techniques or activities but they do not necessarily have to be technology-based Additionally it is important to focus on the fact that IRCs may come from a wide variety of sources Therefore in IO it is not the ownership of the capabilities and techniques that is important but rather their integrated application in order to achieve a JFC’s end state I-5 Chapter I Application of Means to Achieve Influence Information Environment Cognitive Dimension s an Me Key Influencers rm atio Info w Fl o Mass Audiences Vulnerable Populations Rules-Norms-Beliefs M ns ea Physical Dimension n atio Informational Dimension rm Info nF lo w Rules-Norms-Beliefs Information Flow Rules-Norms-Beliefs Target Audiences M ea ns Figure I-3 Application of Means to Achieve Influence I-6 JP 3-13 Overview Application of Information-Related Capabilities to Achieve Influence ans Me WAYS Activity Dimension Collect Physical Process Informational Disseminate Physical Act Cognitive Cognitive Dimension Information Environment Key Influencers IRCs nF rm atio Info Informational Dimension w Flo tion rma Info low Rules-Norms-Beliefs Mass Audiences Vulnerable Populations Rules-Norms-Beliefs Information Flow WAYS Activity Dimension Collect Physical Process Informational IRCs Disseminate Physical Act Cognitive s n a Me IRC Physical Dimension Rules-Norms-Beliefs WAYS Activity Dimension Collect Physical IRCs Process Informational Disseminate Physical Act Cognitive Me an s information-related capability Figure I-4 Application of Information-Related Capabilities to Achieve Influence I-7 Chapter I Influence Leads to Achievement of an End s Information Environment Cognitive Dimension Ends IRCs Ways Activity Dimension Collect Physical Process Informational Disseminate Physical Act Cognitive Key Influencers Rules-NormsBeliefs In f orm atio nF low low nF atio orm Inf IRC In tegr s Target Audiences Mass Audiences Vulnerable Populations Rules-NormsBeliefs Information Flow IRCs IRCs Rules-NormsBeliefs Ways Activity Dimension Collect Physical Process Informational Disseminate Physical Act Cognitive Physical Dimension Means Informational Dimension s Mean Ways Activity Dimension Collect Physical Process Informational Disseminate Physical Act Cognitive gration Inte Mea n C IR atio n Objective Legend IRC information-related capability Figure I-5 Influence Leads to Achievement of an End s I-8 JP 3-13 CHAPTER II INFORMATION OPERATIONS “There is a war out there old friend- a World War And it’s not about whose got the most bullets it’s about who controls the information ” Cosmo in the 1992 Film “Sneakers” 1 Introduction This chapter addresses how the integrating and coordinating functions of IO help achieve a JFC’s objectives Through the integrated application of IRCs the relationships that exist between IO and the various IRCs should be understood in order to achieve an objective 2 Terminology a Because IO takes place in all phases of military operations in concert with other lines of operation and lines of effort some clarification of the terms and their relationship to IO is in order 1 Military Operations The US military participates in a wide range of military operations as illustrated in Figure II-1 Phase 0 Shape and phase I Deter may include defense support of civil authorities peace operations noncombatant evacuation foreign humanitarian assistance and nation-building assistance which fall outside the realm of major combat operations represented by phases II through V 2 Lines of Operation and Lines of Effort IO should support multiple lines of operation and at times may be the supported line of operation IO may also support numerous lines of effort when positional references to an enemy or adversary have little relevance such as in counterinsurgency or stability operations b IO integrates IRCs ways with other lines of operation and lines of effort means to create a desired effect on an adversary or potential adversary to achieve an objective ends 3 Information Operations and the Information-Influence Relational Framework Influence is at the heart of diplomacy and military operations with integration of IRCs providing a powerful means for influence The relational framework describes the application integration and synchronization of IRCs to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp the decision making of TAs to create a desired effect to support achievement of an objective Using this description the following example illustrates how IRCs can be employed to create a specific effect against an adversary or potential adversary II-1 Chapter II Notional Operation Plan Phases Plan Phases Phase 0 Shape Phase I Deter Phase II Seize Initiative Phase III Dominate Phase IV Stabilize Phase V Enable Civil Authority Phase 0 Shape Level of Military Effort Enabling Civil Authority Activity Dominating Activities Stabilizing Activities Seizing the Initiative Activities Deterring Activities Shaping Activities Theater Shaping Global Shaping OPLAN Approval OPORD Activation OPORD Execution OPORD Termination Legend OPLAN operation plan OPORD operation order Figure II-1 Notional Operation Plan Phases 4 The Information Operations Staff and Information Operations Cell Within the joint community the integration of IRCs to achieve the commander’s objectives is managed through an IO staff or IO cell JFCs may establish an IO staff to provide command-level oversight and collaborate with all staff directorates and supporting organizations on all aspects of IO Most CCMDs include an IO staff to serve as the focal point for IO Faced with an ongoing or emerging crisis within a geographic combatant commander’s GCC’s area of responsibility AOR a JFC can establish an IO cell to provide additional expertise and coordination across the staff and interagency II-2 JP 3-13 Information Operations APPLICATION OF INFORMATION-RELATED CAPABILITIES TO THE INFORMATION AND INFLUENCE RELATIONAL FRAMEWORK This example provides insight as to how information-related capabilities IRCs can be used to create lethal and nonlethal effects to support achievement of the objectives to reach the desired end state The integration and synchronization of these IRCs require participation from not just information operations planners but also organizations across multiple lines of operation and lines of effort They may also include input from or coordination with national ministries provincial governments local authorities and cultural and religious leaders to create the desired effect Situation An adversary is attempting to overthrow the government of Country X using both lethal and nonlethal means to demonstrate to the citizens that the government is not fit to support and protect its people Joint Force Commander’s Objective Protect government of Country X from being overthrown Desired Effects 1 Citizens have confidence in ability of government to support and protect its people 2 Adversary is unable to overthrow government of Country X Potential Target Audience s 1 Adversary leadership adversary 2 Country X indigenous population friendly neutral and potential adversary Potential Means available to achieve the commander’s objective  Diplomatic action e g demarche public diplomacy  Informational assets e g strategic communication media  Military forces e g security force assistance combat operations military information support operations public affairs military deception  Economic resources e g sanctions against the adversary infusion of capital to Country X for nation building  Commercial cultural or other private enterprise assets II-3 Chapter II Potential Ways persuasive communications or coercive force  Targeted radio and television broadcasts  Blockaded adversary ports  Government commercially operated Web sites  Key leadership engagement Regardless of the means and ways employed by the players within the information environment the reality is that the strategic advantage rests with whoever applies their means and ways most efficiently a IO Staff 1 In order to provide planning support the IO staff includes IO planners and a complement of IRCs specialists to facilitate seamless integration of IRCs to support the JFC’s concept of operations CONOPS 2 IRC specialists can include but are not limited to personnel from the EW cyberspace operations CO military information support operations MISO civil-military operations CMO military deception MILDEC intelligence and public affairs PA communities They provide valuable linkage between the planners within an IO staff and those communities that provide IRCs to facilitate seamless integration with the JFC’s objectives b IO Cell 1 The IO cell integrates and synchronizes IRCs to achieve national or combatant commander CCDR level objectives Normally the chief of the CCMD’s IO staff will serve as the IO cell chief however at the joint task force level someone else may serve as the IO cell chief Some of the functions of the IO cell chief are listed in Figure II-2 2 The IO cell comprises representatives from a wide variety of organizations to coordinate and integrate additional activities in support of a JFC When considering the notional example in Figure II-3 note that the specific makeup of an IO cell depends on the situation It may include representatives from organizations outside DOD even allied or multinational partners II-4 JP 3-13 Information Operations Information Operations Cell Chief Functions  Coordinate the overall information operations IO portion of the plan for the joint force commander JFC  Coordinate IO issues within the joint force staff and with counterpart IO planners on the component staffs and supporting organizations  Coordinate employment of information-related capabilities and activities to support the JFC concept of operations  Recommend IO priorities to accomplish planned objectives  Determine the availability of information-related capability resources to carry out IO plans  Request planning support from organizations that plan and execute informationrelated capabilities  Serve as the primary “advocate” throughout the target nomination and review process for targets that if engaged will create a desired effect within the information environment  Coordinate the planning and execution of information-related capabilities among joint organizations including components and agencies that support IO objectives  Identify and coordinate intelligence and assessment requirements that support IO planning and associated activities  Coordinate support with the Joint Information Operations Warfare Center Joint Warfare Analysis Center and other joint centers and agencies Figure II-2 Information Operations Cell Chief Functions 5 Relationships and Integration a IO is not about ownership of individual capabilities but rather the use of those capabilities as force multipliers to create a desired effect There are many military capabilities that contribute to IO and should be taken into consideration during the planning process 1 Strategic Communication SC a The SC process consists of focused United States Government USG efforts to create strengthen or preserve conditions favorable for the advancement of national interests policies and objectives by understanding and engaging key audiences through the use of coordinated programs plans themes messages and products synchronized with the actions of all instruments of national power SC is a whole-of-government approach driven by interagency processes and integration that are focused upon effectively communicating national strategy II-5 Chapter II Notional Information Operations Cell Targeting Cell OPSEC MILDEC J-2 J-9 Rep MILDEC Rep MIS Rep EW Rep STO Cyberspace Operations Special Ops Task Force Physical Security Civil-Military Operations J-2T Rep J-2 Rep J-2X Rep OPSEC Rep MISO JCEWS EWC Counterintelligence STO Rep J-4 Rep J-5 J-5 Rep IO Cell Chief J-39 Cyberspace Rep J-6 Rep IO Cell J-6 J-7 Rep J-7 SOF Rep JIACG Rep Physical Security Rep Joint Fires Rep MNF Reps Joint Fires Element J-4 PA Rep Component Liaison Officers JIACG Legal Rep PA Legal MNF Services Legend electronic warfare electronic warfare cell information operations intelligence directorate of a joint staff deputy directorate for targeting joint force counterintelligence and human intelligence staff element J-39 information operations staff logistics directorate of a joint staff J-4 plans directorate of a joint staff J-5 communications system directorate of a joint staff J-6 force development directorate of a joint staff J-7 civil-military operations directorate of a joint staff J-9 EW EWC IO J-2 J-2T J-2X JCEWS JIACG MILDEC MIS MISO MNF Ops OPSEC PA Rep SOF STO joint force commander’s electronic warfare staff joint interagency coordination group military deception military information support military information support operations multinational force operations operations security public affairs representative special operations forces special technical operations Figure II-3 Notional Information Operations Cell b The elements and organizations that implement strategic guidance both internal and external to the joint force must not only understand and be aware of the joint force’s IO objectives they must also work closely with members of the interagency community in order to ensure full coordination and synchronization of USG efforts Hence the JFC’s IO objectives should complement the overall objectives in accordance with strategic guidance The joint interagency coordination group JIACG representative within the IO cell facilitates coordination to comply with strategic guidance and facilitate SC II-6 JP 3-13 Information Operations 2 Joint Interagency Coordination Group Interagency coordination occurs between DOD and other USG departments and agencies as well as with private-sector entities nongovernmental organizations and critical infrastructure activities for the purpose of accomplishing national objectives Many of these objectives require the combined and coordinated use of the diplomatic informational military and economic instruments of national power Due to their forward presence the CCMDs are well situated to coordinate activities with elements of the USG regional organizations foreign forces and host nations In order to accomplish this function the GCCs have established JIACGs as part of their normal staff structures see Figure II-4 The JIACG is well suited to help the IO cell with interagency coordination Although IO is not the primary function of the JIACG the group’s linkage to the IO cell and the rest of the interagency is an important enabler for synchronization of guidance and IO 3 Public Affairs a PA comprises public information command information and public engagement activities directed toward both the internal and external publics with interest in DOD External publics include allies neutrals adversaries and potential adversaries When addressing external publics opportunities for overlap exist between PA and IO b By maintaining situational awareness between IO and PA the potential for information conflict can be minimized The IO cell provides an excellent place to coordinate IO and PA activities that may affect the adversary or potential adversary Because there will be situations such as counterpropaganda in which the TA for both IO and PA converge close cooperation and deconfliction are extremely important Such coordination and deconfliction efforts can begin in the IO cell However since it involves more than just IO equities final coordination should occur within the joint planning group JPG c While the IO cell can help synchronize and deconflict specific IO-related and PA objectives when implementing strategic guidance that affects the adversary care must be taken to carefully follow all legal and policy constraints in conducting the different activities For example see Department of Defense Directive DODD S-3321 1 Overt Psychological Operations Conducted by the Military Services in Peacetime and in Contingencies Short of Declared War 4 Civil-Military Operations a CMO is another area that can directly affect and be affected by IO CMO activities establish maintain influence or exploit relations between military forces governmental and nongovernmental civilian organizations and authorities and the civilian populace in a friendly neutral or hostile operational area in order to achieve US objectives These activities may occur prior to during or subsequent to other military operations In CMO personnel perform functions normally provided by the local regional or national government placing them into direct contact with civilian populations This level of interaction results in CMO having a significant effect on the perceptions of the local populace Since this populace may include potential adversaries their perceptions are of great interest to the IO community For this reason CMO representation in the IO cell can II-7 Chapter II Notional Joint Interagency Coordination Group Structure Combatant Commander Staff Directorates Interagency Planners International and Regional Planners Joint Interagency Coordination Group Core Element Mission Augmentation as needed Virtual Commander Joint Task Force JTF JTF Staff Habitual Links US Ambassador Country Team Group Functions  Participate in combatant command security cooperation contingency crisis and transition planning  Advise on civilian agency planning efforts  Work military civilian operational issues  Present civilian agency perspectives approaches capabilities and limitations  Provide habitual links to interagency regional and international planners  Arrange interface on interagency activities  Coordinate with regional players Notional Core Staffing Directory Deputy US Agency for International Development Department of Commerce Department of Health and Human Services Department of Justice Department of State Department of the Treasury Department of Defense Executive Officer Administration Senior Civilian Military Civilian Civilian Civilian Civilian Civilian Civilian Civilian Military Military Figure II-4 Notional Joint Interagency Coordination Group Structure assist in identifying TAs synchronizing communications media assets and messages and providing news and information to the local population II-8 JP 3-13 Information Operations b Although CMO and IO have much in common they are distinct disciplines The TA for much of IO is the adversary however the effects of IRCs often reach supporting friendly and neutral populations as well In a similar vein CMO seeks to affect friendly and neutral populations although adversary and potential adversary audiences may also be affected This being the case effective integration of CMO with other IRCs is important and a CMO representative on the IO staff is critical The regular presence of a CMO representative in the IO cell will greatly promote this level of coordination 5 Cyberspace Operations a Cyberspace is a global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures and resident data including the Internet telecommunications networks computer systems and embedded processors and controllers CO are the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace Cyberspace capabilities when in support of IO deny or manipulate adversary or potential adversary decision making through targeting an information medium such as a wireless access point in the physical dimension the message itself an encrypted message in the information dimension or a cyber-persona an online identity that facilitates communication decision making and the influencing of audiences in the cognitive dimension When employed in support of IO CO generally focus on the integration of offensive and defensive capabilities exercised in and through cyberspace in concert with other IRCs and coordination across multiple lines of operation and lines of effort b As a process that integrates the employment of IRCs across multiple lines of effort and lines of operation to affect an adversary or potential adversary decision maker IO can target either the medium a component within the physical dimension such as a microwave tower or the message itself e g an encrypted message in the informational dimension CO is one of several IRCs available to the commander For more information see Joint Publication JP 3-12 Cyberspace Operations 6 Information Assurance IA is necessary to gain and maintain information superiority The JFC relies on IA to protect infrastructure to ensure its availability to position information for influence and for delivery of information to the adversary Furthermore IA and CO are interrelated and rely on each other to support IO 7 Space Operations Space capabilities are a significant force multiplier when integrated with joint operations Space operations support IO through the space force enhancement functions of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missile warning environmental monitoring satellite communications and space-based positioning navigation and timing The IO cell is a key place for coordinating and deconflicting the space force enhancement functions with other IRCs 8 Military Information Support Operations MISO are planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions motives objective reasoning and ultimately the behavior of foreign governments II-9 Chapter II organizations groups and individuals MISO focuses on the cognitive dimension of the information environment where its TA includes not just potential and actual adversaries but also friendly and neutral populations MISO are applicable to a wide range of military operations such as stability operations security cooperation maritime interdiction noncombatant evacuation foreign humanitarian operations counterdrug force protection and counter-trafficking Given the wide range of activities in which MISO are employed the military information support representative within the IO cell should consistently interact with the PA CMO JIACG and IO planners 9 Intelligence a Intelligence is a vital military capability that supports IO The utilization of information operations intelligence integration IOII greatly facilitates understanding the interrelationship between the physical informational and cognitive dimensions of the information environment b By providing population-centric socio-cultural intelligence and physical network lay downs including the information transmitted via those networks intelligence can greatly assist IRC planners and IO integrators in determining the proper effect to elicit the specific response desired Intelligence is an integrated process fusing collection analysis and dissemination to provide products that will expose a TA’s potential capabilities or vulnerabilities Intelligence uses a variety of technical and nontechnical tools to assess the information environment thereby providing insight into a TA c A joint intelligence support element JISE may establish an IO support office see Figure II-5 to provide IOII This is due to the long lead time needed to establish information baseline characterizations provide timely intelligence during IO planning and execution efforts and to properly assess effects in the information environment In addition to generating intelligence products to support the IO cell the JISE IO support office can also work with the JISE collection management office to facilitate development of collection requirements in support of IO assessment efforts 10 Military Deception a One of the oldest IRCs used to influence an adversary’s perceptions is MILDEC MILDEC can be characterized as actions executed to deliberately mislead adversary decision makers creating conditions that will contribute to the accomplishment of the friendly mission While MILDEC requires a thorough knowledge of an adversary or potential adversary’s decision-making processes it is important to remember that it is focused on desired behavior It is not enough to simply mislead the adversary or potential adversary MILDEC is designed to cause them to behave in a manner advantageous to the friendly mission such as misallocation of resources attacking at a time and place advantageous to friendly forces or avoid taking action at all II-10 JP 3-13 Information Operations Notional Joint Intelligence Support Element and Joint Intelligence Operations Center JTF J-2 Joint Intelligence Support Element JTF J-2 Joint Intelligence Operations Center Air Order of Battle Watch Air All-Source Analysis Watch Ground Order of Battle Collection Management Ground All-Source Analysis Collection Requirements and Operations Naval Order of Battle Targets Naval All-Source Analysis GEOINT Cell Missile and Space Order of Battle Requests for Information Missile and Space All-Source Analysis Requests for Information Terrorism WMD Analysis Information Operations Support Red Team Terrorism Open Source Analysis National Intelligence Support Team J-2X CSA DFE NGA CIA NSA CSS J-3 J-5 Liaison Legend CIA CSA CSS DFE GEOINT J-2 J-2X Central Intelligence Agency combat support agency Central Security Service Defense Intelligence Agency forward element geospatial intelligence intelligence directorate of a joint staff joint force counterintelligence and human intelligence staff element J-3 J-5 JTF NGA NSA WMD operations directorate of a joint staff plans directorate of a joint staff joint task force National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency National Security Agency weapons of mass destruction Figure II-5 Notional Joint Intelligence Support Element and Joint Intelligence Operations Center b When integrated with other IRCs MILDEC can be a particularly powerful way to affect the decision-making processes of an adversary or potential adversary The IO cell provides a coordinating mechanism for enabling or integrating MILDEC with other IRCs II-11 Chapter II c MILDEC differs from other IRCs in several ways Due to the sensitive nature of MILDEC plans goals and objectives a strict need-to-know should be enforced 11 Operations Security a OPSEC is a standardized process designed to meet operational needs by mitigating risks associated with specific vulnerabilities in order to deny adversaries critical information and observable indicators OPSEC identifies critical information and actions attendant to friendly military operations to deny observables to adversary intelligence systems Once vulnerabilities are identified other IRCs e g MILDEC CO can be used to satisfy OPSEC requirements OPSEC practices must balance the responsibility to account to the American public with the need to protect critical information The need to practice OPSEC should not be used as an excuse to deny noncritical information to the public b The effective application coordination and synchronization of other IRCs are critical components in the execution of OPSEC Because a specified IO task is “to protect our own” decision makers OPSEC planners require complete situational awareness regarding friendly activities to facilitate the safeguarding of critical information This kind of situational awareness exists within the IO cell where a wide range of planners work in concert to integrate and synchronize their actions to achieve a common IO objective 12 Special Technical Operations STO IO need to be deconflicted and synchronized with STO Detailed information related to STO and its contribution to IO can be obtained from the STO planners at CCMD or Service component headquarters IO and STO are separate but have potential crossover and for this reason an STO planner is a valuable member of the IO cell 13 Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations JEMSO a All information-related mission areas increasingly depend on the electromagnetic spectrum EMS JEMSO consisting of EW and joint EMS management operations enable EMS-dependent systems to function in their intended operational environment EW is the mission area ultimately responsible for securing and maintaining freedom of action in the EMS for friendly forces while exploiting or denying it to adversaries JEMSO therefore supports IO by enabling successful mission area operations b EW activities are normally planned and managed by personnel dedicated to JEMSO and members of either the joint force commander’s electronic warfare staff JCEWS or joint electronic warfare cell EWC The JCEWS or EWC integrates their efforts into the JFC’s targeting cycle and coordinates with the JFC’s IO cell to align objective priorities and help synchronize EW employment with other IRCs For more information on EW see JP 3-13 1 Electronic Warfare For more information on JEMSO see JP 6-01 Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations II-12 JP 3-13 Information Operations 14 Key Leader Engagement KLE a KLEs are deliberate planned engagements between US military leaders and the leaders of foreign audiences that have defined objectives such as a change in policy or supporting the JFC’s objectives These engagements can be used to shape and influence foreign leaders at the strategic operational and tactical levels and may also be directed toward specific groups such as religious leaders academic leaders and tribal leaders e g to solidify trust and confidence in US forces b KLEs may be applicable to a wide range of operations such as stability operations counterinsurgency operations noncombatant evacuation operations security cooperation activities and humanitarian operations When fully integrated with other IRCs into operations KLEs can effectively shape and influence the leaders of foreign audiences b The capabilities discussed above do not constitute a comprehensive list of all possible capabilities that can contribute to IO This means that individual capability ownership will be highly diversified The ability to access these capabilities will be directly related to how well commanders understand and appreciate the importance of IO II-13 Chapter II Intentionally Blank 11 14 JP 3 13 CHAPTER III AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBILITIES AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS “Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country’s peace and prosperity ” President James K Polk 1845 Inaugural Address 1 Introduction This chapter describes the JFC’s authority for the conduct of IO delineates various roles and responsibilities established in DODD 3600 01 Information Operations and addresses legal considerations in the planning and execution of IO 2 Authorities a The authority to employ IRCs is rooted foremost in Title 10 United States Code USC While Title 10 USC does not specify IO separately it does provide the legal basis for the roles missions and organization of DOD and the Services Title 10 USC Section 164 gives command authority over assigned forces to the CCDR which provides that individual with the authority to organize and employ commands and forces assign tasks designate objectives and provide authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations b DOD and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CJCS directives delegate authorities to DOD components Among these directives DODD 3600 01 Information Operations is the principal IO policy document Its joint counterpart Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction CJCSI 3210 01 Joint Information Operations Policy provides joint policy regarding the use of IRCs professional qualifications for the joint IO force as well as joint IO education and training requirements Based upon the contents of these two documents authority to conduct joint IO is vested in the CCDR who in turn can delegate operational authority to a subordinate JFC as appropriate c The nature of IO is such that the exercise of operational authority inherently requires a detailed and rigorous legal interpretation of authority and or legality of specific actions Legal considerations are addressed in more detail later in this chapter 3 Responsibilities a Under Secretary of Defense for Policy USD P The USD P oversees and manages DOD-level IO programs and activities In this capacity USD P manages guidance publications e g DODD 3600 01 and all IO policy on behalf of the Secretary of Defense The office of the USD P coordinates IO for all DOD components in the interagency process III-1 Chapter III b Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence USD I USD I develops coordinates and oversees the implementation of DOD intelligence policy programs and guidance for intelligence activities supporting IO c Joint Staff In accordance with the Secretary of Defense memorandum on Strategic Communication and Information Operations in the DOD dated 25 January 2011 the Joint Staff is assigned the responsibility for joint IO proponency CJCS responsibilities for IO are both general such as establishing doctrine as well as providing advice and recommendations to the President and Secretary of Defense and specific e g joint IO policy As the Joint IO Proponent the Deputy Director for Global Operations J-39 DDGO serves as the CJCS’s focal point for IO and coordinates with the Joint Staff CCMDs and other organizations that have direct or supporting IO responsibilities Joint Staff J-39 DDGO also provides IO-related advice and advocacy on behalf of the CCMDs to the CJCS and across DOD As designated in the Secretary of Defense memorandum on SC and IO the Joint Staff also serves as the proponent for the IRCs of MILDEC and OPSEC d Joint Information Operations Warfare Center JIOWC The JIOWC is a CJCScontrolled activity reporting to the operations directorate of a joint staff J-3 via J-39 DDGO The JIOWC supports the Joint Staff by ensuring operational integration of IRCs in support of IO improving DOD’s ability to meet CCMD IRC requirements as well as developing and refining IRCs for use in support of IO across DOD JIOWC’s specific organizational responsibilities include 1 Provide IO subject matter experts and advice to the Joint Staff and the CCMDs 2 Develop and maintain a joint IO assessment framework 3 Assist the Joint IO Proponent in advocating for and integrating CCMD IO requirements 4 Upon the direction of the Joint IO Proponent provide support in coordination and integration of DOD IRCs for JFCs Service component commanders and DOD agencies e Combatant Commands The Unified Command Plan provides guidance to CCDRs assigning them missions and force structure as well as geographic or functional areas of responsibility In addition to these responsibilities the Commander United States Special Operations Command is also responsible for integrating and coordinating MISO This responsibility is focused on enhancing interoperability and providing other CCDRs with MISO planning and execution capabilities In similar fashion the Commander United States Strategic Command USSTRATCOM is responsible for advocating on behalf of the IRCs of EW and CO The Commander USSTRATCOM is also focused on enhancing interoperability and providing other CCDRs with contingency EW expertise in support of their missions For CO the Commander USSTRATCOM synchronizes CO planning CCDRs integrate plan execute and assess IO when conducting operations or campaigns f Service Component Commands Service component command responsibilities are derived from their parent Service These responsibilities include recommending to the JFC III-2 JP 3-13 Authorities Responsibilities and Legal Considerations the proper employment of the Service component IRCs in support of joint IO The JFC will execute IO using component capabilities g Functional Component Commands Like Service component commands functional component commands have authority over forces or in the case of IO IRCs as delegated by the establishing authority normally a CCDR or JFC Functional component commands may be tasked to plan and execute IO as an integrated part of joint operations 4 Legal Considerations a Introduction US military activities in the information environment as with all military operations are conducted as a matter of law and policy Joint IO will always involve legal and policy questions requiring not just local review but often national-level coordination and approval The US Constitution laws regulations and policy and international law set boundaries for all military activity to include IO Whether physically operating from locations outside the US or virtually from any location in the information environment US forces are required by law and policy to act in accordance with US law and the law of war b Legal Considerations IO planners deal with legal considerations of an extremely diverse and complex nature Legal interpretations can occasionally differ given the complexity of technologies involved the significance of legal interests potentially affected and the challenges inherent for law and policy to keep pace with the technological changes and implementation of IRCs Additionally policies are regularly added amended and rescinded in an effort to provide clarity As a result IO remains a dynamic arena which can be further complicated by multinational operations as each nation has its own laws policies and processes for approving plans The brief discussion in this publication is not a substitute for sound legal advice regarding specific IRC- and IO-related activities For this reason joint IO planners should consult their staff judge advocate or legal advisor for expert advice c Implications Beyond the JFC Bilateral agreements to which the US is a signatory may have provisions concerning the conduct of IO as well as IRCs when they are used in support of IO IO planners at all levels should consider the following broad areas within each planning iteration in consultation with the appropriate legal advisor 1 Could the execution of a particular IRC be considered a hostile act by an adversary or potential adversary 2 Do any non-US laws concerning national security privacy or information exchange criminal and or civil issues apply 3 What are the international treaties agreements or customary laws recognized by an adversary or potential adversary that apply to IRCs 4 How is the joint force interacting with or being supported by US intelligence organizations and other interagency entities III-3 Chapter Intentionally Blank JP 3 13 CHAPTER IV INTEGRATING INFORMATION-RELATED CAPABILITIES INTO THE JOINT OPERATION PLANNING PROCESS “Support planning is conducted in parallel with other planning and encompasses such essential factors as IO information operations SC strategic communication …” Joint Publication 5-0 Joint Operation Planning 11 August 2011 1 Introduction The IO cell chief is responsible to the JFC for integrating IRCs into the joint operation planning process JOPP Thus the IO staff is responsible for coordinating and synchronizing IRCs to accomplish the JFC’s objectives Coordinated IO are essential in employing the elements of operational design Conversely uncoordinated IO efforts can compromise complicate negate and pose risks to the successful accomplishment of the JFC and USG objectives Additionally when uncoordinated other USG and or multinational information activities may complicate defeat or render DOD IO ineffective For this reason the JFC’s objectives require early detailed IO staff planning coordination and deconfliction between the USG and partner nations’ efforts within the AOR in order to effectively synchronize and integrate IRCs 2 Information Operations Planning a The IO cell and the JPG The IO cell chief ensures joint IO planners adequately represent the IO cell within the JPG and other JFC planning processes Doing so will help ensure that IRCs are integrated with all planning efforts Joint IO planners should be integrated with the joint force planning directing monitoring and assessing process b IO Planning Considerations 1 IO planners seek to create an operational advantage that results in coordinated effects that directly support the JFC’s objectives IRCs can be executed throughout the operational environment but often directly impact the content and flow of information 2 IO planning begins at the earliest stage of JOPP and must be an integral part of not an addition to the overall planning effort IRCs can be used in all phases of a campaign or operation but their effective employment during the shape and deter phases can have a significant impact on remaining phases 3 The use of IO to achieve the JFC’s objectives requires the ability to integrate IRCs and interagency support into a comprehensive and coherent strategy that supports the JFC’s overall mission objectives The GCC’s theater security cooperation guidance contained in the theater campaign plan TCP serves as an excellent platform to embed specific long-term information objectives during phase 0 operations For this reason the IO IV-1 Chapter IV staff and IO cell should work closely with their plans directorate staff as well as the JIACG in the development of the security cooperation portion of the TCP 4 Many IRCs require long lead time for development of the joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment JIPOE and release authority The intelligence directorate of a joint staff J-2 identifies intelligence and information gaps shortfalls and priorities as part of the JIPOE process in the early stages of the JOPP Concurrently the IO cell must identify similar intelligence gaps in its understanding of the information environment to determine if it has sufficient information to successfully plan IO Where identified shortfalls exist the IO cell may need to work with J-2 to submit requests for information RFIs to the J-2 to fill gaps that cannot be filled internally 5 There may be times where the JFC may lack sufficient detailed intelligence data and intelligence staff personnel to provide IOII Similarly a JFC’s staff may lack dedicated resources to provide support For this reason it is imperative the IO cell take a proactive approach to intelligence support The IO cell must also review and provide input to the commander’s critical information requirements CCIRs especially priority intelligence requirements PIRs and information requirements The joint intelligence staff using PIRs as a basis develops information requirements that are most critical These are also known as essential elements of information EEIs In the course of mission analysis the intelligence analyst identifies the intelligence required to CCIRs Intelligence staffs develop more specific questions known as information requirements EEIs pertinent to the IO staff may include target information specifics such as messages and counter-messages adversary propaganda and responses of individuals groups and organizations to adversary propaganda 6 As part of JOPP designation of release and execution authorities for IRCs is required For example release authority provides approval for the employment of specific IRCs in support of a commander’s objectives and normally specifies the allocation of specific offensive means and IRCs For its part the execution authority constitutes the authority to employ IRCs Normally the JFC is designated in the execution order as the execution authority Given the fact that IRC effects are often required across multiple operational phases each capability requires separate and distinct authorities c IO and the Joint Operation Planning Process Throughout JOPP IRCs are integrated with the JFC’s overall CONOPS see Figure IV1 An overview of the seven steps of JOPP follow however a more detailed discussion of the planning process can be found in JP 5-0 Joint Operation Planning 1 Planning Initiation Integration of IRCs into joint operations should begin at step 1 planning initiation Key IO staff actions during this step include the following a Review key strategic documents IV-2 JP 3-13      CDR’s Approved COA w Corresponding IO Concept JPG Guidance Type of order to be developed FRAGORD matrix graphic etc IO Staff Estimate IO Inputs for COA Approval Briefing As Required IO Concept of Support CDR’s Governing Factors      CDR’s Wargaming Guidance IO Concept of Support  IO Synchronization Matrix  Target Nominations  COG CV Products Mission Analysis Products  IO-Related CDR’s Planning Guidance  Intel Support Updated IPB and CIO   SecDef IPR-C Approved Concept SecDef IPR-F Approved Plan IV-3 IO Concept of Support Refined As Required  IO effects tasks moes refined  IO synchronization matrix inputs refined  Targets refined  IO-related risks refined  IO-related decision points refined   IO Staff Estimate Continues Refined CCIRs Additional IO-Related Shortfalls As Required  IO Staff Estimate Continues   CDR Approve COA IO Cell Inputs to CDR’s Estimate    Appendix-3 to Annex-C Staff Coordination Back-briefs from Component IO Cells Rehearsals etc  Maintain Up-To-Date IO Estimate      Advantages Disadvantages of IO Concept of Support IO Staff Estimate Continues Recommended COA to J-3 JPG  Submit IO-Related COA Approval Brief Inputs to JPG   Initial IO-Related Recommended CCIRs IO Staff Estimate Commenced  Submit Recommended CDR’s IO Planning Guidance   IO Concept of Support  IO effects  IO tasks  MOEs  Target development and prioritization  IO synchronization inputs  IO concept of operations narrative sketch  Identify required supplemental ROE IO Mission Statement IO Tasks IO Assumptions  IO Constraints Restraints  Initial IO Shortfalls Identified  Initial IO Risks Identified       Convene the IO Cell Review Strategic Guidance Documents Identify Level of Planning Detail Required Level 1 2 3 4  Submit RFIs As Required  Monitor Situation IO Cell Functions and Outputs Figure IV-1 Information Operations Planning within the Joint Operation Planning Process Typical time when warning orders are issued to subordinates may vary as directed by CDR 3 Step 7 Plan or Order Development Step 6 COA Approval COA Brief Presented to CDR Step 5 COA Comparison Step 4 COA Analysis and War Gaming 2 Step 3 COA Development CDR Issues Planning Guidance SecDef IPR-A Approved Mission Step 2 Mission Analysis HHQ WARNORD PLANORD FRAGORD OR JSCP COG CV Analysis JIPOE and CIO  Commander’s Intelligence Estimate    1 Step 1 Planning Initiation Planning Step HHQ WARNORD PLANORD FRAGORD OR JSCP  Legend Part 1 of 2 IO Intelligence Integration JIPOE Continuous Input Information Operations Planning within the Joint Operation Planning Process Integrating Information-Related Capabilities Into the Joint Operation Planning Process Chapter IV Information Operations Planning within the Joint Operation Planning Process continued Legend Part 2 of 2 CCIR CDR CIO COA COG CV FRAGORD HHQ IPB IPR IO commander’s critical information requirement commander combined information overlay course of action center of gravity critical vulnerability fragmentary order higher headquarters intelligence preparation of the battlespace in-progress review information operations J-3 JIPOE operations directorate of a joint staff joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment JPG joint planning group JSCP Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan MOE measure of effectiveness PLANORD planning order RFI request for information ROE rules of engagement SecDef Secretary of Defense WARNORD warning order Figure IV-1 Information Operations Planning within the Joint Operation Planning Process cont’d b Monitor the situation receive initial planning guidance and review staff estimates from applicable operation plans OPLANs and concept plans CONPLANs c Alert subordinate and supporting commanders of potential tasking with regard to IO planning support d Gauge initial scope of IO required for the operation e Identify location standard operating procedures and battle rhythm of other staff organizations that require integration and divide coordination responsibilities among the IO staff f Identify and request appropriate authorities g Begin identifying information required for mission analysis and course of action COA development h Identify IO planning support requirements including staff augmentation support products and services and issue requests for support according to procedures established locally and by various supporting organizations i Validate initiate and revise PIRs and RFIs keeping in mind the long lead times associated with satisfying IO requirements j Provide IO input and recommendations to COAs and provide resolutions to conflicts that exist with other plans or lines of operation k In coordination with the targeting cell submit potential candidate targets to JFC or component joint targeting coordination board JTCB For vetting validation and deconfliction follow local targeting cell procedures because these three separate processes do not always occur at the JTCB IV-4 JP 3-13 Integrating Information-Related Capabilities Into the Joint Operation Planning Process l Ensure IO staff and IO cell members participate in all JFC or component planning and targeting sessions and JTCBs 2 Mission Analysis The purpose of step 2 mission analysis is to understand the problem and purpose of an operation and issue the appropriate guidance to drive the remaining steps of the planning process The end state of mission analysis is a clearly defined mission and thorough staff assessment of the joint operation Mission analysis orients the JFC and staff on the problem and develops a common understanding before moving forward in the planning process During mission analysis all staff sections including the IO cell will examine the mission from their own functional perspective and contribute the results of that analysis to the JPG As IO impacts each element of the operational environment it is important for the IO staff and IO cell during mission analysis to remain focused on the information environment Key IO staff actions during mission analysis are a Assist the J-3 and J-2 in the identification of friendly and adversary center s of gravity and critical factors e g critical capabilities critical requirements and critical vulnerabilities b Identify relevant aspects of the physical informational and cognitive dimensions whether friendly neutral adversary or potential adversary of the information environment c Identify specified implied and essential tasks d Identify facts assumptions constraints and restraints affecting IO planning e Analyze IRCs available to support IO and authorities required for their employment f Develop and refine proposed PIRs RFIs and CCIRs g Conduct initial IO-related risk assessment h Develop IO mission statement i Begin developing the initial IO staff estimate This estimate forms the basis for the IO cell chief’s recommendation to the JFC regarding which COA it can best support j Conduct initial force allocation review k Identify and develop potential targets and coordinate with the targeting cell no later than the end of target development Compile and maintain target folders in the Modernized Integrated Database Coordinate with the J-2 and targeting cell for participation and representation in vetting validation and targeting boards e g JTCB joint targeting working group IV-5 Chapter IV l Develop mission success criteria 3 COA Development Output from mission analysis such as initial staff estimates mission and tasks and JFC planning guidance are used in step 3 COA development Key IO staff actions during this step include the following a Identify desired and undesired effects that support or degrade JFC’s information objectives b Develop measures of effectiveness MOEs and measures of effectiveness indicators MOEIs c Develop tasks for recommendation to the J-3 d Recommend IRCs that may be used to accomplish supporting information tasks for each COA e Analyze required supplemental rules of engagement ROE f Identify additional operational risks and controls mitigation g Develop the IO CONOPS narrative sketch h Synchronize IRCs in time space and purpose i Continue update development of the IO staff estimate j Prepare inputs to the COA brief k Provide inputs to the target folder 4 COA Analysis and War Gaming Based upon time available the JFC staff should war game each tentative COA against adversary COAs identified through the JIPOE process Key IO staff and IO cell actions during this step include the following a Analyze each COA from an IO functional perspective b Reveal key decision points c Recommend task adjustments to IRCs as appropriate d Provide IO-focused data for use in a synchronization matrix or other decision-making tool e Identify IO portions of branches and sequels f Identify possible high-value targets related to IO g Submit PIRs and recommend CCIRs for IO IV-6 JP 3-13 Integrating Information-Related Capabilities Into the Joint Operation Planning Process h Revise staff estimate i Assess risk 5 COA Comparison Step 5 COA comparison starts with all staff elements analyzing and evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each COA from their respective viewpoints Key IO staff and IO cell actions during this step include the following a Compare each COA based on mission and tasks b Compare each COA in relation to IO requirements versus available IRCs c Prioritize COAs from an IO perspective d Revise the IO staff estimate During execution the IO cell should maintain an estimate and update as required 6 COA Approval Just like other elements of the JFC’s staff during step 6 COA approval the IO staff provides the JFC with a clear recommendation of how IO can best contribute to mission accomplishment in the COA s being briefed It is vital this recommendation is presented in a clear concise manner that is not only able to be quickly grasped by the JFC but can also be easily understood by peer subordinate and higherheadquarters command and staff elements Failure to foster such an understanding of IO contribution to the approved COA can lead to poor execution and or coordination of IRCs in subsequent operations 7 Plan or Order Development Once a COA is selected and approved the IO staff develops appendix 3 Information Operations to annex C Operations of the operation order OPORD or OPLAN Because IRC integration is documented elsewhere in the OPORD or OPLAN it is imperative that the IO staff conduct effective staff coordination within the JPG during step 7 plan or order development Key staff actions during this step include the following a Refine tasks from the approved COA b Identify shortfalls of IRCs and recommend solutions c Facilitate development of supporting plans by keeping the responsible organizations informed of relevant details as access restrictions allow throughout the planning process d Advise the supported commander on IO issues and concerns during the supporting plan review and approval process e Participate in time-phased force and deployment data refinement to ensure IO supports the OPLAN or CONPLAN IV-7 Chapter IV f Assist in the development of OPLAN or CONPLAN appendix 6 IO Intelligence Integration to annex B Intelligence d Plan Refinement The information environment is continuously changing and it is critical for IO planners to remain in constant interaction with the JPG to provide updates to OPLANs or CONPLANs e Assessment of IO Assessment is integrated into all phases of the planning and execution cycle and consists of assessment activities associated with tasks events or programs in support of joint military operations Assessment seeks to analyze and inform on the performance and effectiveness of activities The intent is to provide relevant feedback to decision makers in order to modify activities that achieve desired results Assessment can also provide the programmatic community with relevant information that informs on return on investment and operational effectiveness of DOD IRCs It is important to note that integration of assessment into planning is the first step of the assessment process Planning for assessment is part of broader operational planning rather than an afterthought Iterative in nature assessment supports the Adaptive Planning and Execution process and provides feedback to operations and ultimately IO enterprise programmatics For more on assessments see JP 5-0 Joint Operation Planning f Relationship Between Measures of Performance MOPs and MOEs Effectiveness assessment is one of the greatest challenges facing a staff Despite the continuing evolution of joint and Service doctrine and the refinement of supporting tactics techniques and procedures assessing the effectiveness of IRCs continues to be challenging MOEs attempt to accomplish this assessment by quantifying the intangible attributes within the information environment in order to assess the effectiveness of IRCs against an adversary or potential adversary Figures IV-2 and IV-3 are tangible examples of MOP and MOE sources that an IO planner would have to rely on for feedback 1 MOPs are criteria used to assess friendly accomplishment of tasks and mission execution Examples of Measures of Performance Feedback  Numbers of populace listening to military information support operations MISO broadcasts  Percentage of adversary command and control facilities attacked  Number of civil-military operations projects initiated number of projects completed  Human intelligence reports number of MISO broadcasts during Commando Solo missions Figure IV-2 Examples of Measures of Performance Feedback IV-8 JP 3-13 Integrating Information-Related Capabilities Into the Joint Operation Planning Process Possible Sources of Measures of Effectiveness Feedback  Intelligence assessments human intelligence etc  Open source intelligence  Internet newsgroups etc  Military information support operations and civil-military operations teams face to face activities  Contact with the public  Press inquiries and comments  Department of State polls reports and surveys reports  Open Source Center  Nongovernmental organizations intergovernmental organizations international organizations and host nation organizations  Foreign policy advisor meetings  Commercial polls  Operational analysis cells Figure IV-3 Possible Sources of Measures of Effectiveness Feedback 2 In contrast to MOPs MOEs are criteria used to assess changes in system behavior capability or operational environment that are tied to measuring the attainment of an end state achievement of an objective or creation of an effect Ultimately MOEs determine whether actions being executed are creating desired effects thereby accomplishing the JFC’s information objectives and end state 3 MOEs and MOPs are both crafted and refined throughout JOPP In developing MOEs and or MOPs the following general criteria should be considered a Ends Related MOEs and or MOPs should directly relate to the objectives and desired tasks required to accomplish effects and or performance b Measurable MOEs should be specific measurable and observable Effectiveness or performance is measured either quantitatively e g counting the number of attacks or qualitatively e g subjectively evaluating the level of confidence in the security forces In the case of MOEs a baseline measurement must be established prior to the execution against which to measure system changes c Timely A time for required feedback should be clearly stated for each MOE and or MOP and a plan made to report within that specified time period d Properly Resourced The collection analysis and reporting of MOE or MOP data requires personnel financial and materiel resources The IO staff or IO cell IV-9 Chapter IV should ensure that these resource requirements are built into IO planning during COA development and closely coordinated with the J-2 collection manager to ensure the means to assess these measures are in place 4 Measure of Effectiveness Indicators An MOEI is a unit location or event observed or measured that can be used to assess an MOE These are often used to add quantitative data points to qualitative MOEs and can assist an IO staff or IO cell in answering a question related to a qualitative MOE The identification of MOEIs aids the IO staff or IO cell in determining an MOE and can be identified from across the information environment MOEIs can be independently weighted for their contribution to an MOE and should be based on separate criteria Hundreds of MOEIs may be needed for a large scale contingency Examples of how effects can be translated into MOEIs include the following a Effect Increase in the city populace’s participation in civil governance 1 MOE Qualitative Metropolitan citizens display increased support for the democratic leadership elected on 1 July What activity trends show progress toward or away from the desired behavior 2 MOEI decrease in the number of anti-government a A rallies demonstrations in a city since 1 July this indicator might be weighted heavily at 60 percent of this MOE’s total assessment based on rallies demonstrations observed b An increase in the percentage of positive new government media stories since 1 July this indicator might be weighted less heavily at 20 percent of this MOE’s total assessment based on media monitoring c An increase in the number of citizens participating in democratic functions since 1 July this indicator might be weighted at 20 percent of this MOE’s total assessment based on government data criteria like voter registration city council meeting attendance and business license registration b Effect Insurgent leadership does not orchestrate terrorist acts in the western region 1 MOE Qualitative Decrease in popular support toward extremists and insurgents 2 MOEI a An increase in the number of insurgents turned in identified since 1 October b An increase in the amount of money disbursed to citizens from the “rewards program” since 1 October IV-10 JP 3-13 Integrating Information-Related Capabilities Into the Joint Operation Planning Process c The percentage of blogs supportive of the local officials 3 Information Operations Phasing and Synchronization Through its contributions to the GCC’s TCP it is clear that joint IO is expected to play a major role in all phases of joint operations This means that the GCC’s IO staff and IO cell must account for logical transitions from phase to phase as joint IO moves from the main effort to a supporting effort Regardless of what operational phase may be underway it is always important for the IO staff and IO cell to determine what legal authorities the JFC requires to execute IRCs during the subsequent operations phase a Phase 0–Shape Joint IO planning should focus on supporting the TCP to deter adversaries and potential adversaries from posing significant threats to US objectives Joint IO planners should access the JIACG through the IO cell or staff Joint IO planning during this phase will need to prioritize and integrate efforts and resources to support activities throughout the interagency Due to competing resources and the potential lack of available IRCs executing joint IO during phase 0 can be challenging For this reason the IO staff and IO cell will need to consider how their IO activities fit in as part of a whole-of-government approach to effectively shape the information environment to achieve the CCDR’s information objectives b Phase I–Deter During this phase joint IO is often the main effort for the CCMD Planning will likely emphasize the JFC’s flexible deterrent options FDOs complementing US public diplomacy efforts in order to influence a potential foreign adversary decision maker to make decisions favorable to US goals and objectives Joint IO planning for this phase is especially complicated because the FDO typically must have a chance to work while still allowing for a smooth transition to phase II and more intense levels of conflict if it does not Because the transition from phase I to phase II may not allow enough time for application of IRCs to create the desired effects on an adversary or potential adversary the phase change may be abrupt c Phase II-Seize Initiative In phase II joint IO is supporting multiple lines of operation Joint IO planning during phase II should focus on maximizing synchronized IRC effects to support the JFC’s objectives and the component missions while preparing the transition to the next phase d Phase III–Dominate Joint IO can be a supporting and or a supported line of operation during phase III Joint IO planning during phase III will involve developing an information advantage across multiple lines of operation to execute the mission e Phase IV–Stabilize CMO or even IO is likely the supported line of operation during phase IV Joint IO planning during this phase will need to be flexible enough to simultaneously support CMO and combat operations As the US military and interagency information activity capacity matures and eventually slows the JFC should assist the hostnation security forces and government information capacity to resume and expand as necessary As host nation information capacity improves the JFC should be able to refocus IV-11 Chapter IV joint IO efforts to other mission areas Expanding host-nation capacity through military and interagency efforts will help foster success in the next phase f Phase V-Enable Civil Authority During phase V joint IO planning focuses on supporting the redeployment of US forces as well as providing continued support to stability operations IO planning during phase V should account for interagency and country team efforts to resume the lead mission for information within the host nation territory The IO staff and cell can anticipate the possibility of long term US commercial and government support to the former adversary’s economic and political interests to continue through the completion of this phase IV-12 JP 3-13 CHAPTER V MULTINATIONAL INFORMATION OPERATIONS “In order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this Treaty the Parties separately and jointly by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack ” Article 3 The North Atlantic Treaty April 4 1949 1 Introduction Joint doctrine for multinational operations including command and operations in a multinational environment is described in JP 3-16 Multinational Operations The purpose of this chapter is to highlight specific doctrinal components of IO in a multinational environment see Figure V-1 In doing so this chapter will build upon those aspects of IO addressed in JP 3-16 Additional data regarding IO in a multinational environment can be found in Allied Joint Publication AJP -3 10 Allied Joint Doctrine for Information Operations This chapter includes IO coordination processes staff requirements planning formats and matrices for staff and commanders involved in a multinational operation Information Operations in the Multinational Environment   Figure V-1 Information Operations in the Multinational Environment V-1 Chapter V 2 Other Nations and Information Operations a Multinational partners recognize a variety of information concepts and possess sophisticated doctrine procedures and capabilities Given these potentially diverse perspectives regarding IO it is essential for the multinational force commander MNFC to resolve potential conflicts as soon as possible It is vital to integrate multinational partners into IO planning as early as possible to gain agreement on an integrated and achievable IO strategy Initial requirements for coordinating synchronizing and when required integrating other nations into the US IO plan include 1 Clarifying all multinational partner information objectives 2 Understanding all multinational partner employment of IRCs 3 Establishing IO deconfliction procedures to avoid conflicting messages 4 Identifying multinational force MNF vulnerabilities as soon as possible 5 Developing a strategy to mitigate MNF IO vulnerabilities 6 Identifying MNF IRCs b Regardless of the maturity of each partner’s IO strategy doctrine capabilities tactics techniques or procedures every multinational partner can contribute to MNF IO by providing regional expertise to assist in planning and conducting IO Multinational partners have developed unique approaches to IO that are tailored for specific targets in ways that may not be employed by the US Such contributions complement US IO expertise and IRCs potentially enhancing the quality of both the planning and execution of multinational IO 3 Multinational Information Operations Considerations a Military operation planning processes particularly for IO whether JOPP based or based on established or agreed to multinational planning processes include an understanding of multinational partner s 1 Cultural values and institutions 2 Interests and concerns 3 Moral and ethical values 4 ROE and legal constraints 5 Challenges in multilingual planning for the employment of IRCs 6 IO doctrine techniques and procedures b Sharing of information with multinational partners V-2 JP 3-13 Multinational Information Operations 1 Each nation has various IRCs to provide in support of multinational objectives These nations are obliged to protect information that they cannot share across the MNF However to plan thoroughly all nations must be willing to share appropriate information to accomplish the assigned mission 2 Information sharing arrangements in formal alliances to include US participation in United Nations missions are worked out as part of alliance protocols Information sharing arrangements in ad hoc multinational operations where coalitions are working together on a short-notice mission must be created during the establishment of the coalition 3 Using National Disclosure Policy NDP 1 National Policy and Procedures for the Disclosure of Classified Military Information to Foreign Governments and International Organizations and Department of Defense Instruction DODI O-3600 02 Information Operations IO Security Classification Guidance U as guidance the senior US commander in a multinational operation must provide guidelines to the US-designated disclosure representative on information sharing and the release of classified information or capabilities to the MNF NDP 1 provides policy and procedures in the form of specific disclosure criteria and limitations definition of terms release arrangements and other guidance The disclosure of classified information is never automatic It is not necessary for MNFs to be made aware of all US intelligence capabilities or procedures that are required for planning and execution of IO The JFC should request approval from higher command authorities to release information that has not been previously cleared for multinational partners 4 Information concerning US persons may only be collected retained or disseminated in accordance with law and regulation Applicable provisions include the Privacy Act Title 5 USC Section 552a DODD 5200 27 Acquisition of Information Concerning Persons and Organizations not Affiliated with the Department of Defense Executive Order 12333 United States Intelligence Activities and DOD 5240 1-R Procedures Governing the Activities of DOD Intelligence Components that Affect United States Persons 4 Planning Integration and Command and Control of Information Operations in Multinational Operations a The role of IO in multinational operations is the prerogative of the MNFC The mission of the MNF determines the role of IO in each specific operation b Representation of key multinational partners in the MNF IO cell allows their expertise and capabilities to be utilized and the IO portion of the plan to be better coordinated and more timely c While some multinational partners may not have developed an IO concept or fielded IRCs it is important that they fully appreciate the importance of the information in achieving the MNFC’s objectives For this reason every effort should be made to provide basic-level IO training to multinational partners serving on the MNF IO staff In cases where this is not V-3 Chapter V possible it may be necessary for the MNF headquarters staff to assist the subordinate MNFCs in planning and conducting IO d MNF headquarters staff could be organized differently however as a general rule an information operations coordination board IOCB or similar organization may exist see Figure V-2 The IOCB is normally responsible for preparing inputs to relevant MNF headquarters internal and external processes such as joint targeting and provides a forum to outline current and future application of IRCs designed to achieve MNFC’s objectives A wide range of MNF headquarters staff organizations should participate in IOCB deliberations to ensure their input and subject matter expertise can be applied to satisfy a requirement in order to achieve MNFC’s objectives e Besides the coordination activities highlighted above the IOCB should also participate in appropriate joint operations planning groups JOPGs and should take part in early discussions including mission analysis An IO presence on the JOPG is essential as it is the IOCB which provides input to the overall estimate process in close coordination with other members of the MNF headquarters staff Notional Multinational Information Operations Coordination Board Political Advisor Cyberspace Representative Legal Advisor Deception Representative Intelligence J-4 Representative MISO Representative CIMIC Representative Chief Information Operations J-6 Representative OPSEC Representative Electronic Warfare Representative J-5 Representative Targeting Representative Component Representative Public Affairs Representative Legend CIMIC J-4 J-5 civil-military cooperation logistics directorate of a joint staff plans directorate of a joint staff J-6 MISO OPSEC communications system directorate of a joint staff military information support operations operations security Figure V-2 Notional Multinational Information Operations Coordination Board V-4 JP 3-13 Multinational Information Operations 5 Multinational Organization for Information Operations Planning a When the JFC is also the MNFC the joint force staff should be augmented by planners and subject matter experts from the MNF MNF IO planners and IRC specialists should be trained on US and MNF doctrine requirements resources and how the MNF is structured to integrate IRCs IO planners should seek to accommodate the requirements of each multinational partner within given constraints with the goal of using all the available expertise and capabilities of the MNF b In the case where the JFC is not the MNFC it may be necessary for the J-3 to brief the MNFC and staff on the advantages of integrating US IO processes and procedures to achieve MNF objectives The JFC should propose organizing a multinational IO staff using organizational criteria discussed earlier If this is not acceptable to the MNFC the JFC should assume responsibility for implementing IO within the joint force as a part of multinational operations to support multinational mission objectives 6 Multinational Policy Coordination The development of capabilities tactics techniques procedures plans intelligence and communications support applicable to IO requires coordination with the responsible DOD components and multinational partners Coordination with partner nations above the JFC MNFC level is normally effected within existing defense arrangements including bilateral arrangements The Joint Staff coordinates US positions on IO matters delegated to them as a matter of law or policy and discusses them bilaterally or in multinational organizations to achieve interoperability and compatibility in fulfilling common requirements Direct discussions regarding multinational IO planning in specific theaters are the responsibility of the GCC V-5 Chapter Intentionally Blank JP 3 13 CHAPTER VI INFORMATION OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT “Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted ” Dr William Cameron Informal Sociology A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking 1963 1 Introduction a This chapter provides a framework to organize develop and execute assessment of IO as conducted within the information environment The term “assessment” has been used to describe everything from analysis e g assessment of the enemy to an estimate of the situation pre-engagement assessment of blue and red forces Within the context of this chapter assessment is the determination of the progress toward achieving commander’s objectives or attaining an end state and focuses on the tactical and operational levels of assessment that assist and inform the JFC’s decision making Assessment considerations should be thoroughly integrated into IO planning b Assessment of IO is a key component of the commander’s decision cycle helping to determine the results of tactical actions in the context of overall mission objectives and providing potential recommendations for refinement of future plans The decision to adapt plans or shift resources is based upon the integration of intelligence in the operational environment and other staff estimates as well as input from other mission partners in pursuit of the desired end state c Assessments also provide opportunities to identify IRC shortfalls changes in parameters and or conditions in the information environment which may cause unintended effects in the employment of IRCs and resource issues that may be impeding joint IO effectiveness 2 Understanding Information Operations Assessment a Assessment consists of activities associated with tasks events or programs in support of the commander’s desired end state IO assessment is iterative continuously repeating rounds of analysis within the operations cycle in order to measure the progress of IRCs toward achieving objectives The assessment process begins with the earliest stages of the planning process and continues throughout the operation or campaign and may extend beyond the end of the operation to capture long-term effects of the IO effort Integrating assessment from the start to ensure future assessment requirements enables the IO planner to ensure that desirable effects that support the commander’s objectives are well-defined and measurable and provide feedback to commanders operators and planners as operations evolve b Analysis of the information environment should begin before operations start in order to establish baselines from which to measure change During operations data is CH 1 VI-1 Chapter VI continuously collected recharacterizing our understanding of the information environment and providing the ability to measure changes and determine whether desired effects are being created 3 Purpose of Assessment in Information Operations Assessments help commanders better understand current conditions The commander uses assessments to determine how the operation is progressing and whether the operation is creating the desired effects Assessing the effectiveness of IO activities challenges both the staff and commander There are numerous venues for informing and receiving information from the commander they provide opportunities to identify IRC shortfalls and resource issues that may be impeding joint IO effectiveness 4 Impact of the Information Environment on Assessment a Operation assessments in IO differ from assessments of other operations because the success of the operation mainly relies on nonlethal capabilities often including reliance on measuring the cognitive dimension or on nonmilitary factors outside the direct control of the JFC This situation requires an assessment with a focused organized approach that is developed in conjunction with the initial planning effort It also requires a clear vision of the end state an understanding of the commander’s objectives and an articulated statement of the ways in which the planned activities achieve objectives For more discussion of objective and effects see JP 5-0 Joint Operation Planning b The information environment is a complex entity an “open system” affected by variables that are not constrained by geography The mingling of people information capabilities organizations religions and cultures that exist inside and outside a commander's operational area are examples of these variables These variables can give commanders and their staffs the appreciation that the information environment is turbulent―constantly in motion and changing―which may make analysis seem like a daunting task and make identifying an IRC or IRCs most likely to create a desired effect feel nearly impossible In a complex environment seemingly minor events can produce enormous outcomes far greater in effect than the initiating event including secondary and tertiary effects that are difficult to anticipate and understand This complexity is why assessment is required and why there may be specific capabilities required to conduct assessment and subsequent analysis c A detailed study and analysis of the information environment affords the planner the ability to identify which forces impact the information environment and find order in the apparent chaos Often the complexity of the information environment relative to a specific operational area requires assets and capabilities that exceed the organic capability of the command making the required exhaustive study an impossible task The gaps in capability and information are identified by planners and are transformed into information requirements and requests request for forces and or augmentation and requests for support from external agencies Examples of capabilities forces augmentation and external support include specialized software behavioral scientists polling social-science studies operational VI-2 JP 3-13 CH 1 Information Operations Assessment research specialists statisticians demographic data held by commercial industry reachback support to other mission partners military information support personnel access to external DOD databases and support from academia But the presence of sensitive variables can be a catalyst for exponential changes in outcomes as in the aforementioned secondary and tertiary effects Joint IO planners should be cautious about making direct causal statements since many nonlinear feedback loops can render direct causal statements inaccurate Incorrect assumptions about causality in a complex system can have disastrous effects on the planning of future operations and open the assessment to potential discredit because counterexamples may exist 5 The Information Operations Assessment Process a Integrating the employment of IRCs with other lines of operation is a unique requirement for joint staffs and is a discipline that is comparatively new The variety of IRCs is broad with specific capabilities having unique purposes and focus For example an EW asset may be able to focus on disrupting a very specific piece of adversary hardware while a team from the Army’s military information support groups may sit down with the former president of a country to convince him to communicate a radio message to the people The broad range of information-related activities occurring across the three dimensions of the information environment physical informational and cognitive demand a specific validated and formal assessment process to determine whether these actions are contributing towards the fulfillment of an objective With the additional factor that some actions result in immediate effect e g jamming a radio frequency or entire band frequency modulation and others may take years or generations to fully create e g eliminating police extortion of tourists the assessment process must be able to report incremental effects in each dimension In particular when assessing the effect of an action or series of actions on behavior the effects may need to be measured in terms such as cognitive affective and action or behavioral Put another way we may need to assess how a group thinks feels and acts and whether those behaviors are a result of our deliberate actions intended to produce that effect an unintended consequence of our actions a result of another's action or activity or a combination of all of these A solution to these assessment requirements is the eightstep assessment process identified in Figure VI-1 Information Operations Assessment Framework Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 CH 1 Analyze the information environment Integrate information operations assessment into plans and develop the assessment plan Develop information operations assessment information requirements and collection plans Build modify information operations assessment baseline Coordinate and Execute Information Operations and Coordinate Intelligence Collection Activities Monitor and collect focused information environment data for information operations assessment Analyze information operations assessment data Report assessment results and make recommendations Figure VI-1 Information Operations Assessment Framework VI-3 Chapter VI b Step 1—Analyze the Information Environment 1 As the entire staff conducts analysis of the operational environment the IO staff focuses on the information environment This analysis occurs when planning for an operation begins or in some cases prior to planning for an operation e g during routine analysis in support of theater security cooperation plan activities It is a required step for viable planning and provides necessary data for among other things development of MOEs determining potential target audiences and targets baseline data from which change can be measured Analysis is conducted by interdisciplinary teams and staff sections The primary product of this step is a description of the information environment This description should include categorization or delineation of the physical informational and cognitive dimensions 2 Analysis of the information environment identifies key functions and systems within the operational environment The analysis provides the initial information to identify decision makers cognitive factors that guide the decision-making process informational and infrastructure that supports and communicates decisions and decision making physical 3 Gaps in the ability to analyze the information environment and gaps in required information are identified and transformed into information requirements and requests requests for forces and or augmentation and requests for support from external agencies The information environment is fluid Technological cultural and infrastructure changes regardless of their source or cause can all impact each dimension of the information environment Once the initial analysis is complete periodic analyses must be conducted to capture changes and update the analysis for the commander staff other units and unified action partners As assessments are executed and the subsequent data retrieved and analyzed the effects of our actions on the information are codified This information is captured and updates the analysis of the information environment as well Much like a running estimate the analysis of the information environment becomes a living document continuously updated to provide a current accurate picture c Step 2—Integrate Information Operations Assessment into Plans and Develop the Assessment Plan 1 Early integration of assessments into plans is paramount especially in the information environment One of the first things that must happen during planning is to ensure that the objectives to be assessed are clear understandable and measureable Equally important is to consider as part of the assessment baseline a control set of conditions within the information environment from which to assess the performance of the tasks assigned to any given IRC in order to determine their potential impact on IO In order to assess progress on the objectives they should portray a progression from the baseline toward the desired end state The end state should be realistic and attainable During this step several tasks occur after identifying the commander’s objectives and end state that are supportable by integrating IRCs with other lines of effort supporting objectives and tasks are developed This is followed by developing an initial assessment plan which includes MOEs and impact indicators Planners should also be aware that while each staff section participates in the planning process quite often portions of individual staff sections are simultaneously working VI-4 JP 3-13 CH 1 Information Operations Assessment on the steps of the planning process in greater depth and detail not quite keeping pace with the entire staff effort as they work on subordinate and supporting staff tasks The intelligence staff’s efforts to analyze the operational environment are an example of this as is the operations staff function of integrating IRCs 2 In order to achieve the objectives specific effects need to be identified It is during COA development Step 3 of JOPP that specific tasks are determined that will create the desired effects based on the commander’s objectives Effects should be clearly distinguishable from the objective they support as a condition for success or progress and not be misidentified as another objective These effects ultimately support tasks to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp the decision making of our adversaries or to protect our own Effects should provide a clear and common description of the desired change in the information environment UNDERSTANDING TASK AND OBJECTIVE CAUSE AND EFFECT INTERRELATIONSHIPS Understanding the interrelationships of the tasks and objectives and the desired cause and effect can be challenging for the planner Mapping the expected change a theory of change provides the clear logical connections between activities and desired outcomes by defining intermediate steps between current situation and desired outcome and establishing points of measurement It should include clearly stated assumptions that can be challenged for correctness as activities are executed The ability to challenge assumptions in light of executed activities allows the joint information operations planner to identify flawed connections between activity and outcome incorrect assumptions or the presence of spoilers For example Training and arming local security guards increases their ability and willingness to resist insurgents which will increase security in the locale Increased security will lead to increased perceptions of security which will promote participation in local government which will lead to better governance Improved security and better governance will lead to increased stability • • CH 1 Logical connection between activities and outcomes − Activity training and arming local security guards − Outcome increased ability to resist insurgents Clearly stated assumptions − Increased ability and willingness to resist increases security in the locale − Increased security leads to increased perceptions of security VI-5 Chapter VI • Intermediate steps and points of measurement − Measures of performance regarding training activities − Measures of effectiveness MOEs regarding willingness to resist − MOEs regarding increased local security 3 This expected change shows a logical connection between activities training and arming locals and desired outcomes increased stability It makes some assumptions but those assumptions are clearly stated so they can be challenged if they are believed to be incorrect Further those activities and assumptions suggest obvious things to measure such as performance of the activities the training and arming and the outcome change in stability They also suggest measurement of more subtle elements of all the intermediate logical nodes such as capability and willingness of local security forces change in security change in perception of security change in participation in local government change in governance and so on Better still if one of those measurements does not yield the desired result the joint IO planner will be able to ascertain where in the chain the logic is breaking down which hypotheses are not substantiated They can then modify the expected change and the activities supporting it reconnecting the logical pathway and continuing to push toward the objectives 4 Such an expected change might have begun as something quite simple training and arming local security guards will lead to increased stability While this gets at the kernel of the idea it is not particularly helpful for building assessments Stopping there would suggest only the need to measure the activity and the outcome However it leaves a huge assumptive gap If training and arming security guards goes well but stability does not increase there will be no apparent reason why To begin to expand on a simple expected change the joint IO planner should ask the question “Why How might A lead to B ” In this case how would training and arming security guards lead to stability A thoughtful answer to this question usually leads to recognition of another node to the expected change If needed the question can be asked again relative to this new node until the expected change is sufficiently articulated 5 Circumstances on the ground might also require the assumptions in an expected change to be more explicitly defined For example using the expected change articulated in the above example the joint IO planner might observe that in successfully training and arming local security guards they are better able to resist insurgents leading to an increased perception of security as reported in local polls However participation in local government as measured through voting in local elections and attendance at local council meetings has not increased The existing expected change and associated measurements illustrate where the chain of logic is breaking down somewhere between perceptions of security and participation in local governance but it does not yet tell why that break is occurring Adjusting the expected change by identifying the incorrect assumption or spoiling factor preventing the successful connection between security and local governance will also help improve achievement of the objective VI-6 JP 3-13 CH 1 Information Operations Assessment d Step 3—Develop Information Requirements and Collection Plans Operations Assessment Information 1 Critical to this step is ensuring that attributes are chosen that are relevant and applicable during the planning processes as these will drive the determination of measures that display behavioral characteristics attitudes perceptions and motivations that can be examined externally Measures are categorized as follows a Qualitative—a categorical measurement expressed by means of a natural language description rather than in terms of numbers Methodologies consist of focus groups in-depth interviews ethnography media content analysis after-action reports and anecdotes individual responses sampled consistently over time b Quantitative—a numerical measurement expressed in terms of numbers rather than means of a natural language description Methodologies consist of surveys polls observational data intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance media analytics and official statistics 2 An integrated collection management plan ensures that assessment data gathered at the tactical level is incorporated into operational planning This collection management plan needs to satisfy information requirements with the assigned tactical theater and national intelligence sources and other collection resources Just as crucial is realizing that not every information requirement will be answered by the intelligence community and therefore planners must consider collaborating with other sources of information Planners must discuss collection from other sources of information with the collection manager and unit legal personnel to ensure that the information is included in the overall assessment and the process is in accordance with intelligence oversight regulations and policy 3 Including considerations for assessment collection in the plan will facilitate the return of data needed to accomplish the assessment Incorporating the assessment plan with the directions to conduct an activity will help ensure that resource requirements for assessment are acknowledged when the plan is approved The assessment plan should at a minimum include timing and frequency of data collection identify the party to conduct the collection and provide reporting instructions 4 A well-designed assessment plan will a Develop the commander’s assessment questions b Document the expected change c Document the development of information requirements needed specifically for IO d Define key terms embedded within the end state with regard to the actors or TAs operational activities effects acceptable conditions rates of change thresholds of success failure and technical tactical triggers CH 1 VI-7 Chapter VI e Verify tactical objectives—support operational objectives f Identify strategic and operational considerations—in addition to tactical considerations linking assessments to lines of operation and the associated desired conditions g Identify key nodes and connections in the expected change to be measured h Document collection and analysis methods i Establish a method to evaluate triggers to the commander’s decision points j Establish methods to determine progress towards the desired end state k Establish methods to estimate risk to the mission l Develop recommendations for plan adjustments m Establish the format for reporting assessment results e Step 4—Build Modify Information Operations Assessment Baseline A subset of JIPOE the baseline is part of the overall characterization of the information environment that was accomplished in Step 1 It serves as a reference point for comparison enabling an assessment of the way in which activities create desired effects The baseline allows the commander and staff to set goals for desired rates of change within the information environment and establish thresholds for success and failure This focuses information and intelligence collection on answering specific questions relating to the desired outcomes of the plan f Step 5—Coordinate and Execute Information Operations and Coordinate Intelligence Collection Activities 1 With information gained in steps 1 and 4 the joint IO planner should be able to build an understanding of the TA This awareness will yield a collection plan that enables the joint IO planner to determine whether or not the TA is “seeing” the activities actions presented The collection method must perceive the TA reaction IO planners assessors and intelligence planners need to be able to communicate effectively to accurately capture the required intelligence needed to perform IO assessments 2 Information requirements and subsequent indicator collection must be tightly managed during employment of IRCs in order to validate execution and to monitor TA response In the information environment coordination and timing are crucial because some IRCs are time sensitive and require immediate indicator monitoring to develop valid assessment data g Step 6—Monitor and Collect Information Environment Data for Information Operations Assessment VI-8 JP 3-13 CH 1 Information Operations Assessment 1 Monitoring is the continuous process of observing conditions relevant to current operations Assessment data are collected aggregated consolidated and validated Gaps in the assessment data are identified and highlighted in order to determine actions needed to alleviate shortfalls or make adjustments to the plan As information and intelligence are collected during execution assessments are used to validate or negate assumptions that define cause action and effect conclusion relationships between operational activities objectives and end states 2 If anticipated progress toward an end state does not occur then the staff may conclude that the intended action does not have the intended effect The uncertainty in the information environment makes the use of critical assumptions particularly important as operation planning may need to be adjusted for elements that may not have initially been well understood when the plan was developed h Step 7—Analyze Information Operations Assessment Data 1 If available personnel trained or qualified in analysis techniques should conduct data analysis Analysis can be done outside the operational area by leveraging reachback capabilities One of the more important factors for analysis is that it is conducted in an unbiased manner This is more easily accomplished if the personnel conducting analysis are not the same personnel who developed the execution plan Assessment data are analyzed and the results are compared to the baseline measurements and updated continuously as the staff continues its analysis of the information environment These comparisons help the staff determine whether the information environment has changed and if so the degree and area of that change or if it remains unchanged These changes are indications of effects on or in the information environment and help determine whether progress is being made toward achieving objectives Assessment remains an iterative process When problems or errors are found in the data feedback about what occurred and where adjustments are necessary must be reported as appropriate 2 Deficiency analysis must also occur in this step If no changes were observed in the information environment then a breakdown may have occurred somewhere The plan might be flawed execution might not have been successful collection may not have been accomplished as prescribed or more time may be needed to observe any changes i Step 8—Report Assessment Results and Make Recommendations As expressed earlier in this chapter assessment results enable staffs to ensure that tasks stay linked to objectives and objectives remain relevant and linked to desired end states They provide opportunities to identify IRC shortfalls and resource issues that may be impeding joint IO effectiveness These results may also provide information to agencies outside of the command or chain of command The primary purpose of reporting the results is to inform the command and staff concerning the progress of objective achievement and the effects on the information environment and to enable decision making The published assessment plan staff standard operating procedures battle rhythm and orders are documents in which commanders can dictate how often assessment results are provided and the format in which they are reported In designated venues and in the required format the CH 1 VI-9 Chapter VI IO staff reports progress and makes recommendations They record the decision made and implement those decisions continuing the iterative assessment process 6 Barriers to Information Operations Assessment a The preceding IO assessment methodology can support all operations and most barriers to assessment can be overcome simply by considering assessment requirements as the plan is developed But whatever the phase type of operation the biggest barriers to assessment are generally self-generated b Some of the self-generated barriers to assessment include the failure to establish objectives that are actually measurable the failure to collect baseline data against which “post-test” data can be compared and the failure to plan adequately for the collection of assessment data including the use of intelligence assets c There are other factors that complicate IO assessment Foremost it may be difficult or impossible to directly relate behavior change to an individual act or group of actions Also the logistics of data capture are not simple Contingencies and operations in uncertain or hostile environments present unique challenges in terms of operational tempo and access to conduct assessments Depending on the phase of the conflict the operational tempo might present unique challenges to access or assessment Rapidly changing conditions might also affect the accuracy and volume of data able to be collected The cognitive biases of the analyst may also act as a barrier to influence accuracy 7 Organizing for Operation Assessments a Integrating assessment into the planning effort is normally the responsibility of the lead planner with assistance across the staff The lead planner understands the complexity of the plan and decision points established as the plan develops The lead planner also understands potential indicators of success or failure For IO-specific assessments planning regarding collecting and analyzing the success of the IO message the organization responsible for IO should build the IO assessment framework into the plan This framework must include collection and reporting responsibilities b As a plan becomes operationalized the overall assessment responsibility typically transitions from the lead planner to the J-3 The IO lead provides the necessary IO-related information and analysis to guide the assessment and recommendations for implementing specific changes to better accomplish the mission c When appropriate the commander can establish an assessments cell or team to manage assessments activities When utilized this cell or team must have appropriate access to operational information appropriate access to the planning process and the representation of other staff elements to include IRCs 8 Measures and Indicators a As emphasized in Chapter IV “Integrating Information-Related Capabilities into the Joint Operation Planning Process ” paragraph 2 f “Relationship Between Measures of VI-10 JP 3-13 CH 1 Information Operations Assessment Performance MOPs and Measures of Effectiveness MOEs ” MOPs and MOEs help accomplish the assessment process by qualifying or quantifying the intangible attributes of the information environment This is done to assess the effectiveness of activities conducted in the information environment and to establish a direct cause between the activity and the effect desired b MOPs should be developed during the operation planning process should be tied directly to operation planning and at a minimum assess completion of the various phases of an activity or program Further MOPs should assess any action activity or operation at which IO actions or activities interact with the TA For certain tasks there are TA capabilities voice text video or face-to-face For instance during a leaflet-drop the point of dissemination of the leaflets would be an action or activity The MOP for any one action should be whether or not the TA was exposed to the IO action or activity 1 For each activity phase task or touch point a set of MOPs based on the operational plan outlined in the program description should be developed Task MOPs are measured via internal reporting within units and commands Touch-point MOPs can be measured in one of several ways Whether or not a TA is aware of interested in or responding to an IRC product or activity can be directly ascertained by conducting a survey or interview This information can also be gathered by direct observational methods such as field reconnaissance surveillance or intelligence collection Information can also be gathered via indirect observations such as media reports online activity or atmospherics 2 The end state of operation planning is a multi-phased plan or order from which planners can directly derive a list of MOPs assuming a higher echelon has not already designated the MOPs c MOEs need to be specific clear and observable to provide the commander effective feedback In addition there needs to be a direct link between the objectives effects and the TA Most of the IRCs have their own doctrine and discuss MOEs with slightly different language but with ultimately the same functions and roles 1 In line with JP 5-0 Joint Operation Planning development of MOEs and their associated impact indicators derived from measurable supporting objectives must be done during the planning process By determining the measure in the planning process planners ensure that organic assets and enablers such as intelligence assets are identified to assist in evaluating MOEs in the conduct of IO 2 In developing IO MOEs the following general guidelines should be considered First they should be related to the end state that is they should directly relate to the desired effects They should also be measurable quantitatively or qualitatively In order to measure effectiveness a baseline measurement must exist or be established prior to execution against which to measure system changes They should be within a defined periodical or conditional assessment framework i e the required feedback time cyclical period or conditions should be clearly stated for each MOE and a deadline made to report within a specified assessment period which clearly delineates the beginning progression and termination of a cycle in which the effectiveness of the operations is to be assessed Finally CH 1 VI-11 Chapter VI they need to be properly resourced The collection collation analysis and reporting of MOE data requires personnel budgetary and materiel resources IO staffs along with their counterparts at the component level should ensure that these resource requirements are built into the plan during its development 3 The more specific the MOE the more readily the intelligence collection manager can determine how best to collect against the requirements and provide valuable feedback pertaining to them The ability to establish MOEs and conduct combat assessment for IO requires observation and collection of information from diverse nebulous and often untimely sources These sources may include human intelligence signals intelligence air and ground-based intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance open-source intelligence including the Internet contact with the public press inquiries and comments Department of State polls reports and surveys nongovernmental organizations international organizations and commercial polls 4 One of the biggest challenges with MOE development is the difficulty of defining variables and establishing causality Therefore it is more advisable to approach this from a correlational versus a causality perspective where unrealistic “zero-defect” predictability gives way to more attainable correlational analysis which provides insights to the likelihood of particular events and effects given a certain criteria in terms of conditions and actors in the information environment While the Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manual provides a certain level of predictability which supports causality in the employment of certain munitions with desired effects such methodology is not analogous to assessments within the information environment as evidence seems to point out that correlation of indicators and events have proven more accurate than the evidence to support cause and effects relationships particularly when it comes to behavior and intangible parameters of the cognitive elements of the information environment IRCs however are directed at TAs and decision makers and the systems that support them making it much more difficult to establish concrete causal relationships especially when assessing foreign public opinion or human behavior Unforeseen factors can lead to erroneous interpretations for example a traffic accident in a foreign country involving a US service member or a local civilian’s bias against US policies can cause a decline in public support irrespective of otherwise successful IO 5 If IO effects and supporting IO tasks are not linked to the commander’s objectives or are not clearly written measuring their effectiveness is difficult Clearly written IO tasks must be linked to the commander’s objectives to justify resources to measure their contributing effects If MOEs are difficult to write for a specific IO effect the effect should be reevaluated and a rewrite considered When attempting to describe desired effects it is important to keep the effect impact in mind as a guide to what must be observed collected and measured In order to effectively identify the assessment methodology and to be able to recreate the process as part of the scientific method MOE development must be written with a documented pathway for effect creation This path should consist of indicators leading to the projected creation of the desired effect MOEs should be observable to aid with collection quantifiable to increase objectivity precise to ensure accuracy and correlated with the progress of the operation to attain timeliness VI-12 JP 3-13 CH 1 Information Operations Assessment d Indicators are crucial because they aid the joint IO planner in informing MOEs and should be identifiable across the center of gravity critical factors They can be independently weighted for their contribution to a MOE and should be based on separate criteria A single indicator can inform multiple MOEs Dozens of indicators will be required for a large-scale operation 9 Considerations a In the information environment it is unlikely that universal measures and indicators will exist because of varying perspectives In addition any data collected is likely to be incomplete Assessments need to be periodically adjusted to the changing situation in order to avoid becoming obsolete In addition assessments will usually need to be supplemented by subjective constructs that are a reflection of the joint IO planner’s scope and perspective e g intuition anecdotal evidence or limited set of evidence b Assessment teams may not have direct access to a TA for a variety of reasons The goal of measurement is not to achieve perfect accuracy or precision—given the ever present biases of theory and the limitations of tools that exist—but rather to reduce uncertainty about the value being measured Measurements of IO effects on TA can be accomplished in two ways direct observation and indirect observation Direct observation measures the attitudes or behaviors of the TA either by questioning the TA or observing behavior firsthand Indirect observation measures otherwise inaccessible attitudes and behaviors by the effects that they have on more easily measurable phenomena Direct observations are preferable for establishing baselines and measuring effectiveness while indirect observations reduce uncertainty in measurements to a lesser degree 10 Categories of Assessment a Operation assessment of IO is an evaluation of the effectiveness of operational activities conducted in the information environment Operation assessments primarily document mission success or failure for the commander and staff However operation assessments inform other types of assessment such as programmatic and budgetary assessment Programmatic assessment evaluates readiness and training while budgetary assessment evaluates return on investment b When categorized by the levels of warfare there exists tactical operational and strategic-level assessment Tactical-level assessment evaluates the effectiveness of a specific localized activity Operational-level assessment evaluates progress towards accomplishment of a plan or campaign Strategic level assessment evaluates progress towards accomplishment of a theater or national objective The skilled IO planner will link tactical actions to operational and strategic objectives CH 1 VI-13 Chapter VI Intentionally Blank JP 3 13 CH 1 APPENDIX A REFERENCES The development of JP 3-13 is based on the following primary references 1 General a National Security Strategy b Unified Command Plan c Executive Order 12333 United States Intelligence Activities d The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution e The Privacy Act Title 5 USC Section 552a f The Wiretap Act and the Pen Trap Statute Title 18 USC Sections 2510-2522 and 3121-3127 g The Stored Communications Act Title 18 USC Sections 2701-2712 h The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Title 50 USC 2 Department of State Publications Department of State Publication 9434 Treaties In Force 3 Department of Defense Publications a Secretary of Defense Memorandum dated 25 January 2011 Strategic Communication and Information Operations in the DOD b National Military Strategy c DODD S-3321 1 Overt Psychological Operations Conducted by the Military Services in Peacetime and in Contingencies Short of Declared War d DODD 3600 01 Information Operations IO e DODD 5200 27 Acquisition of Information Concerning Persons and Organizations not Affiliated with the Department of Defense f DOD 5240 1-R Procedures Governing the Activities of DOD Intelligence Components that Affect United States Persons g DODI O-3600 02 Information Operation IO Security Classification Guidance A-1 Appendix A 4 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Publications a CJCSI 1800 01D Officer Professional Military Education Policy OPMEP b CJCSI 3141 01E Management and Review of Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan JSCP -Tasked Plans c CJCSI 3150 25E Joint Lessons Learned Program d CJCSI 3210 01B Joint Information Operations Policy e Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual CJCSM 3122 01A Joint Operation Planning and Execution System JOPES Volume I Planning Policies and Procedures f CJCSM 3122 02D Joint Operation Planning and Execution System JOPES Volume III Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data Development and Deployment Execution g CJCSM 3122 03C Joint Operation Planning and Execution System JOPES Volume II Planning Formats h CJCSM 3500 03C Joint Training Manual for the Armed Forces of the United States i CJCSM 3500 04F Universal Joint Task Manual j JP 1 Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States k JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms l JP 1-04 Legal Support to Military Operations m JP 2-0 Joint Intelligence n JP 2-01 Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations o JP 2-01 3 Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment p JP 2-03 Geospatial Intelligence Support to Joint Operations q JP 3-0 Joint Operations r JP 3-08 Interorganizational Coordination During Joint Operations s JP 3-10 Joint Security Operations in Theater t JP 3-12 Cyberspace Operations u JP 3-13 1 Electronic Warfare v JP 3-13 2 Military Information Support Operations A-2 JP 3-13 References w JP 3-13 3 Operations Security x JP 3-13 4 Military Deception y JP 3-14 Space Operations z JP 3-16 Multinational Operations aa JP 3-57 Civil-Military Operations bb JP 3-60 Joint Targeting cc JP 3-61 Public Affairs dd JP 5-0 Joint Operation Planning ee JP 6-01 Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations 5 Multinational Publication AJP 3-10 Allied Joint Doctrine for Information Operations A-3 Appendix A Intentionally Blank JP 3 13 APPENDIX B ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS 1 User Comments Users in the field are highly encouraged to submit comments on this publication to Joint Staff J-7 Deputy Director Joint and Coalition Warfighting Joint and Coalition Warfighting Center ATTN Joint Doctrine Support Division 116 Lake View Parkway Suffolk VA 23435-2697 These comments should address content accuracy usefulness consistency and organization writing and appearance 2 Authorship The lead agent and the Joint Staff doctrine sponsor for this publication is the Director for Operations J-3 3 Supersession This publication supersedes JP 3-13 27 November 2012 Information Operations 4 Change Recommendations a Recommendations for urgent changes to this publication should be submitted TO JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC J7-JEDD b Routine changes should be submitted electronically to the Deputy Director Joint and Coalition Warfighting Joint Doctrine Support Division and info the lead agent and the Director for Joint Force Development J-7 JEDD c When a Joint Staff directorate submits a proposal to the CJCS that would change source document information reflected in this publication that directorate will include a proposed change to this publication as an enclosure to its proposal The Services and other organizations are requested to notify the Joint Staff J-7 when changes to source documents reflected in this publication are initiated 5 Distribution of Publications Local reproduction is authorized and access to unclassified publications is unrestricted However access to and reproduction authorization for classified JPs must be in accordance with DOD Manual 5200 1 Information Security Program Overview Classification and Declassification 6 Distribution of Electronic Publications a Joint Staff J-7 will not print copies of JPs for distribution Electronic versions are available on JDEIS at https jdeis js mil NIPRNET and http jdeis js smil mil SIPRNET and on the JEL at http www dtic mil doctrine NIPRNET B-1 Appendix B b Only approved JPs and joint test publications are releasable outside the CCMDs Services and Joint Staff Release of any classified JP to foreign governments or foreign nationals must be requested through the local embassy Defense Attaché Office to DIA Defense Foreign Liaison IE-3 200 MacDill Blvd Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Washington DC 20340-5100 c JEL CD-ROM Upon request of a joint doctrine development community member the Joint Staff J-7 will produce and deliver one CD-ROM with current JPs This JEL CDROM will be updated not less than semiannually and when received can be locally reproduced for use within the CCMDs and Services B-2 JP 3-13 GLOSSARY PART I—ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AJP AOR allied joint publication area of responsibility C2 CCDR CCIR CCMD CJCS CJCSI CJCSM CMO CO COA CONOPS CONPLAN command and control combatant commander commander’s critical information requirement combatant command Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff manual civil-military operations cyberspace operations course of action concept of operations concept plan DOD DODD DODI Department of Defense Department of Defense directive Department of Defense instruction EEI EMS EW EWC essential element of information electromagnetic spectrum electronic warfare electronic warfare cell FDO flexible deterrent option GCC geographic combatant commander IA IO IOCB IOII IRC information assurance information operations information operations coordination board information operations intelligence integration information-related capability J-2 J-3 J-39 DDGO JCEWS JEMSO JFC JIACG JIOWC intelligence directorate of a joint staff operations directorate of a joint staff Joint Staff Deputy Director for Global Operations joint force commander’s electronic warfare staff joint electromagnetic spectrum operations joint force commander joint interagency coordination group Joint Information Operations Warfare Center GL-1 Glossary JIPOE JISE JOPG JOPP JP JPG JTCB joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment joint intelligence support element joint operations planning group joint operation planning process joint publication joint planning group joint targeting coordination board KLE key leader engagement MILDEC MISO MNF MNFC MOE MOEI MOP military deception military information support operations multinational force multinational force commander measure of effectiveness measure of effectiveness indicator measure of performance NDP national disclosure policy OPLAN OPORD OPSEC operation plan operation order operations security PA PIR public affairs priority intelligence requirement RFI ROE request for information rules of engagement SC STO strategic communication special technical operations TA TCP target audience theater campaign plan USC USD I USD P USG USSTRATCOM United States Code Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Under Secretary of Defense for Policy United States Government United States Strategic Command GL-2 JP 3-13 PART II—TERMS AND DEFINITIONS computer network attack None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 computer network defense None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 computer network exploitation None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 computer network operations None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 data None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 data item None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 defense information infrastructure None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 defense support to public diplomacy None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 global information infrastructure None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 information-based processes None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 information environment The aggregate of individuals organizations and systems that collect process disseminate or act on information JP 1-02 SOURCE JP 3-13 information operations The integrated employment during military operations of information-related capabilities in concert with other lines of operation to influence disrupt corrupt or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own Also called IO Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 3-13 as the source JP information operations intelligence integration The integration of intelligence disciplines and analytic methods to characterize and forecast identify vulnerabilities determine effects and assess the information environment Also called IOII Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02 information-related capability A tool technique or activity employed within a dimension of the information environment that can be used to create effects and operationally desirable conditions Also called IRC Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02 information security None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 information superiority The operational advantage derived from the ability to collect process and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of information while exploiting or denying an adversary’s ability to do the same JP 1-02 SOURCE JP 3-13 information system None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 national information infrastructure None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 GL-3 JP 3-13 Glossary probe None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 special information operations None Approved for removal from JP 1-02 target audience An individual or group selected for influence Also called TA JP 1-02 SOURCE JP 3-13 GL-4 JP 3-13 JOINT DOCTRINE PUBLICATIONS HIERARCHY JP 1 JOINT DOCTRINE JP 1-0 JP 2-0 JP JP 3-0 3-0 JP 4-0 JP 5-0 JP 6-0 PERSONNEL INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS OPERATIONS LOGISTICS PLANS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM All joint publications are organized into a comprehensive hierarchy as shown in the chart above Joint Publication JP 3-13 is in the Operations series of joint doctrine publications The diagram below illustrates an overview of the development process STEP #1 - Initiation STEP #4 - Maintenance l l l l JP published and continuously assessed by users Formal assessment begins 24-27 months following publication Revision begins 3 5 years after publication Each JP revision is completed no later than 5 years after signature l l l l l l Maintenance Joint doctrine development community JDDC submission to fill extant operational void Joint Staff JS J-7 conducts frontend analysis Joint Doctrine Planning Conference validation Program directive PD development and staffing joint working group PD includes scope references outline milestones and draft authorship JS J-7 approves and releases PD to lead agent LA Service combatant command JS directorate Initiation ENHANCED JOINT WARFIGHTING CAPABILITY JOINT DOCTRINE PUBLICATION Approval Development STEP #3 - Approval l l l l JSDS delivers adjudicated matrix to JS J-7 JS J-7 prepares publication for signature JSDS prepares JS staffing package JSDS staffs the publication via JSAP for signature STEP #2 - Development l l l l l l LA selects primary review authority PRA to develop the first draft FD PRA develops FD for staffing with JDDC FD comment matrix adjudication JS J-7 produces the final coordination FC draft staffs to JDDC and JS via Joint Staff Action Processing JSAP system Joint Staff doctrine sponsor JSDS adjudicates FC comment matrix FC joint working group