1. Comprehensive Operations Planning:
- Introduction to NATO
- Introduction to Comprehensive Approach
Rob Schuurman, LtCol (ret’d) NLD A
+31 6 25078423
schuurmanrp@gmail.com

2. Credits:
Many individual slides in this presentation were taken from various NATO School
Oberammergau (NSO) Comprehensive Operations Planning Course (COPC) related briefings
produced and given by the following contributors:
Helge Hansen, Gen (Ret’d) DEU A Senior Mentor COPC
Walter C. Sopp, LTC USA M NSO COPC Course Director
Craig Wiggers, LTC USA M JFC BS Co-Facilitator
Chris Scully, LtCol GBR A SHAPE Co-OPR
Rob Schuurman, LtCol (Ret’d) NLD A CIMIC SME
Jean-Michel Haas, Cdr FRA N SHAPE Planner
Lars Johannessen, Cdr DAN N NSO Facilitator
Thomas Boehlke, Cdr DEU N FueAk Bw Facilitator
“Beck” Bekiaropoulos, Maj, GRC F NSO Co-Facilitator
Jeremy Digioia, Maj USA A NSO Co-Facilitator
John Catania, USA Civ ACT Systems Analyst
Klaus-Jorgen Nielsen, DAN Civ JFC BS Systems Analyst
This presentation is for internal use only and shall not be distributed any further without
permission.

3. Introduction to NATO:
the Strategic Level

4. NATO HQ: its civil and military structures
National
Authorities
Nuclear North Military
Planning Atlantic Representatives
Group Council to NATO
Military
Committee
Secretary
General
International
International Military Staff
Staff
Committees
Subordinated Allied Allied
to Command Command
NAC & NPG Operations Transformation
NATO UNCLASSIFIED

5. NATO Command Structure today
Allied Command Allied Command
Transformation Operations
• Defence Planning • Command and Control of Forces
• Strategic Concepts, Policy & • Provide Intelligence Support
Doctrine • CIS Operational Planning and
• Resources Execution
• Joint Training and Education for • Joint Exercises and Evaluation
Individuals
• Experimentation
• Research & Technology
Development

6. Allied Command Transformation (ACT)
ACT
NORFOLK-VA, USA
Operational Command
NATO HQ SACT Joint Warfare Centre Undersea Research
Representation Stavanger, NOR Centre
Brussels, BEL La Spezia, ITA
Joint Force Training
ACT Staff Centre,
Element, Bydgoszcz, POL
Mons, BEL
Joint Analysis & Centres of
Lessons Learned Centre Excellence
Monsanto, PRT
NATO
Agencies
&
NATO Education Facilities Bodies
situation 1 July 2010
NATO NATO School NATO CIS NATO Maritime Interdiction
Defence School Operational Training Centre
College O’gau, DEU Soudha Bay, GRC
Rome, ITA Latina, ITA

7. Allied Command Operations (ACO)
Strategic SHAPE
Commander
MONS, BEL
Operational
Commanders
JFC BRUNSSUM, JFC LISBON, JFC NAPLES,
NLD PRT ITA
Component
Commanders
AIR MAR FORCE AIR MAR FORCE
RAMSTEIN, NORTHWOOD, COMMAND IZMIR, NAPLES, COMMAND
DEU GBR HEIDELBERG, TUR ITA MADRID,
DEU ESP
DARS NIEUW MILLIGEN, DJSE 1 DARS MORON, DJSE 1
NLD ESP
CAOC UEDEM, DJSE 2 CAOC LARISSA, DJSE 2
DEU GRC
CAOC FINDERUP, DJSE NFS CAOC P.RENATICO, DJSE NFS
DNK ITA

8. NATO Force Structure
CIMIC Fusion NATO Special Intelligence NATO Airborne Early
Strategic
Level Centre (CFC) Forces HQ Fusion Centre Warning & Control
Force Command
Component Standard NATO Standard NATO Maritime
Level Maritime Group Counter Mining Group
High High High Forces Lower
Readiness Readiness Readiness Readiness (L)
Force (A) Force (M) Force (L)
Graduated Readiness Forces

9. New NATO Command Structure (2012)
ACT
Norfolk, USA
(645)
JALLC JFTC JWC
Monsanto, PRT Bydgoszcz, POL Stavanger, NOR
(50) (105) (250)

10. New NATO Command Structure (2012)
ACO
Mons, BEL
(950)
NAEW&C & AGS
JFHQ JFHQ AIRCOM LANDCOM MARCOM Geilenkirchen, DEU CIS GP STRIKFORNATO
Brunssum, NLD Naples, ITA Ramstein, DEU Izmir, TUR Northwood, GBR Sigonella, ITA Mons, BEL PRT
(850/500) (850/500) (500) (350) (300) (100) (MOU: 119)
(2.000)
CAOC CAOC DACC Signals Bn Signals Bn Signals Bn Signals Ele
Uedem, DEU Torrejón, ESP Poggio Renatico, ITA Grazzanise, ITA Wesel, DEU Bydgoszcz, POL NATO
(75/D-AOC: 110) (75/D-AOC: 110) (280) (350) (300) (190) (340)

11. Introduction to NATO:
the Operational Level
HQs and where do we find their planners?

12. Joint Plans Branch (JPB), JFC Main
and Forward Element (FE): Current Situation
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE
JHQ MAIN COM
POLA D
COS
SUPPORT OF STAFF
SPECIAL S TAF F
BI M FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
KNOW LED GE OPERA TIO NS RESOUR CES
MANA GE MEN T DIREC TOR A TE DIREC TOR A TE
DIREC TOR A TE
KNOW LED GE JT EFFECTS JOIN T LO GIS T CS
I COM & INFORMATION
CEN TRE MANAGEMENT PLANS RESOUR CES SYSTEMS
EXERCISE &
SYNCHR ONI - FINA NCIA L
PREPARAT ION JOIN T ENGINEER
SA T N &
IO RESOUR CES
ASSESSMEN T
JOINT EXECU T ON
I
POLICY APPLICATION &
HU MA N
LESSONS IDENTIFIED/ RESOUR CES
LESSONS LEARNED SITCEN / CJOC
JHQ FE/DJSE COM JLSG HQ (Deployed)
Cos Fwd
FS E
JLSG HQ Element (Core)
Staff Supp ort
(Pre Deployment)
JOINT COORDI NATION THEATRE ENGAGEMENT
SITUATION CELL CENTRE CENTRE
JFC = Joint Force Command (Brunssum, Naples)

13. New Joint Force HQ Model mid-2012
Protocol
POLAD COM
CSEL DCOM SWM
SPECIAL STAFF COS IMS
LEGAD STRATCOM
MPS
PAO Adv MEDAD (Twin) DOM
JF HQ Host Nation Spt
LESO Adv Financial Con (Twin) IAC/IAT Spt DJ HQ Real Life Spt
Liaison Element SOFAD DJ HQ FP
DCOS DCOS DCOS
OPERATIONS PARTNERSHIP & SUPPORT
READINESS
Knowledge Mgt Exercises &
NATO Exercise
& Acquisition Preparation Spt Manpower
& Preparation
J2 * J7 Force
NFS Readiness J1 Human
Intel Support MIL Pers
Knowledge Preparation DJHQ Readiness/Trg Resources
Knowledge Eval & Certification Civ Pers
Analysis &
Production Joint Doctrine Ops & Plans
Doctrine & NFS J4
Interoperability Land Doctrine Logistics Mvt & Transp
JOC
Lessons Learned
J3/5 Multinational
J3 Logistics
Synchronization
Operations & Execution Civ-Mil Plans & Ops
Effects J9 Civ-Mil Interaction J6 CIS
& Influence Interaction & Management
JLSG
Mil Mil
Partnership Partnerships Purch & Contr
J8
Plans Financial Budget & D
J5 J39/TEC **
Plans
Fin & Account
& Policy Policy
Infrastructure &
J-ENG Plans
Campaign
* No global agreement on that name Ops & Trg
J10 Assessment
Assessment J-MED
Operational ** Generated from J9 for deployment
Assessment

14. Joint Operations Planning
Group - JOPG
STRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL JOPG
TACTICAL

15. The Joint Operational Level of Command
Current NATO
Deployed Forces ISAF C2
Concept
Political/ NAC/MC NAC/MC
Military Develop/Implement
Strategic Political-Military
Strategy SACEUR SACEUR
Level
Plan/Direct JFC
Operational Campaigns/Major
Level Operations NRF/CJTF
ISAF
Tactical Plan/Execute
Level Tactical Operations CC/TFs Forces/PRTs
NATO/PfP UNCLASSIFIED 15

16. Introduction to NATO:
Planning in NATO

17. Types of Planning
• Advance Planning:
• Standing Defence Plan (SDP). Long-term, short notice Article 5. Fully
developed and executable.
• Contingency Plan. Possible risk, regionally focused, not executable.
• Generic Contingency Plan. Generic, based on potential transnational
threat, non-executable.
• Crisis Response Planning (CRP).
• Support Planning: supports complex/multiple operations

18. Planning Categories
… for FUTURE TASKS … for CURRENT TASKS
ADVANCE PLANNING CRISIS RESPONSE PLANNING
CONTINGENCY STANDING OPERATION
PLAN (COP) DEFENCE PLAN (SDP) PLAN (OPLAN)
- Generic - Specific - Response to crisis
- Possible risk - Executable - COP-based
- Not executable - COM Terms - Specific
- Basis for OPLAN Of Reference - Execution capable
- MC approved - NAC approved - NAC approved

19. NATO Crisis Response Planning (CRP)
NATO Crisis Response Planning
Strategic Political/Military Plan (SPMP)
PME Strategic Political/Military Plan review
development
NAC
Phase 3
Phase 2
Phase 1 Development Phase 5 Phase 6
Assessment of Phase 4 Planning
Indications and Warnings of Response Execution Transition
the Crisis
Options
SPMP Endorsed
Approved NAC
Request or Approved Transition
SMA and NID Strategic Execution Endorsed
Task the NMA’s Force Endorsed Strategic OPLAN NAC
SMA and Military CONOPS Directive Mission
Information for SMA Activation Strategic OPLAN, Execution
SSAs Request or Task Response Endorsed Request or Progress NAC Decision
Sharing Directive OPLAN, ROEREQ, Approved Directive
the NMA’s for Options Strategic Task the NMA’s Report Sheet for
(FAD) ROEREQ, TCSOR Transition
Response Options CONOPS for PMR Transition
TCSOR OPLAN
planning
Phase 3
Phase 2
Phase 1 Development Phase 5 Phase 6
Assessment of Phase 4 Planning
MC
Indications and Warnings of Response Execution Transition
the Crisis
Options
NAC Approved
Strategic Strategic Strategic
Tasker for SSA NID with MC NAC Approved Tasker for
CONOPS OPLAN, Transition Aproved
Tasker for MRO Guidance Strategic Periodic Mission NAC
Strategic with MC Guidance ROEREQ NAC OPLAN Strategic
Military OPLAN, Review Execution
Information SACEUR’s CONOPS TCSOR SPMP Execution Transition
Response ROEREQ, Directive
Sharing Strategic Provisional CJSOR, Force Activation Directive SACEUR’s NAC DS for OPLAN
Options TCSOR With MC
Assessment draft TCSOR Directive with MC Mission Transition with
(MRO) with Guidance
(SSA) With MC Progress planning with MC Guidance
MC Guidance Guidance
Guidance Report MC Guidance
Phase 4a
Phase 3 Phase 4b Phase 5
Phase 2 Strategic
SHAPE
Phase 1 Military Execution Phase 6
Strategic CONOPS Strategic OPLAN Development
Situation Awareness Response Assessment/OPLAN Transition
Assessment Development (Force Generation)
Options Review
, Approved
Warning Strategic Strategic ROEREQ Approved Operational
Order Draft MROs Planning CONOPS Approved TCSOR Strategic OPLAN Strategic
Information SACEUR’s OPLAN Disengagement
Operational Directive Operational Planning
Sharing Strategic Provisional ACTORD Assessment Planning
CONOPS Directive
Assessment Advice CJSOR,
draft TCSOR Operational Operational
CONOPS OPLAN
Phase 2 Phase 4a Phase 5
Phase 1 Phase 3 Phase 4b
Operational Operational Execution/ Campaign Phase 6
JFC
Situation Operational Operational OPLAN
Appreciation/ CONOPS Assessment Transition
Awareness Orientation Development
Assessment of Development OPLAN Review
Options
As As part the collaborative planning process documents submitted to the MC will also be passed to to subordinate Cdrs
part of of the collaborative planning process documents submitted to the MC will also be passed subordinate Cdrs

20. NATO-wide Collaborative Planning
Operations
Policy
Committee
NAC ADVICE ADVICE
DECISION Direction/Advice Political &
Partnership
Military
Committee Committee
Civil Emergency
Planning Committee
CMTF
SOPG - SHAPE •Strategic Assessment
PLANNING •Military Response Options
Products •Strategic CONOPS
•Strategic OPLAN
JOPG – JFC Collaboration
COMPONENTS
PLANNING PLANNING

21. Introduction to the
Comprehensive Approach:
what it is

22. Comprehensive Approach:
A means to ensure a co-ordinated and coherent response to a
crisis (not a definition)
Comprehensive Approach is the synergy amongst all actors
and actions of the International Community through the co-
ordination and de-confliction of its political, development and
security capabilities to face today’s challenges including
“Complex Emergencies” (working definition)

23. Comprehensive Approach:
• International community involved with a wide
spectrum of civil and military instruments of power
• Integrates all engaged actors on a desired End State
• Provides operating platform throughout all phases of
an international engagement
• Enables each actor to fulfil its share within its own
principles, however in a co-ordinated fashion

24. NATO's engagement in a
comprehensive approach
Focused at three levels:
• political and strategic level:
• NATO focus on building confidence and mutual understanding.
• operational level:
• NATO priority to co-operate with other international actors in planning
complex operations.
• theatre/tactical level:
• NATO force commanders empowered to conduct effective co-
operation and co-ordination “on the ground” with civilian actors.
All three levels must function in a collaborative and complementary
manner to achieve success.

25. Context of missions (1)
An Actor is a person or organisation, including state and non-state entities,
within the international system with the capability or desire to influence others
in pursuit of its interests and objectives.
• complex assortment of actors engaged in the JOA and beyond......
• Multinational joint forces
• Parties in a conflict
• indigenous population
• media, diplomats, IOs, NGOs, and GOs
• .....who must operate in a co-ordinated and complementary style
• ideally harmonised by a Special Representative (SR) of the UN
SecGen, EU or other multinational entity.
• SR will seek to coordinate all efforts of civil actors.
• Those entities organise themselves in a Cluster Approach, appointing
a Cluster Leader for the various working fields.
Wherever a Comprehensive Approach demands the participation of
military expertise in these clusters, CIMIC should contribute in its civil
military liaison function.

26. PMESII Domains (the full spectrum of
the problem, the “systems”)
• Political Systems - any grouping of primarily civil actors, organisations and
institutions, both formal and informal, that exercises authority or rule within a
specific geographic boundary or organization through the application of various
forms of political power and influence.
• Military Systems - the armed forces and supporting infrastructure, acquired, trained,
developed and sustained to accomplish and protect national or organizational
security objectives.
• Economic Systems - composed of the sum total of production, distribution and
consumption of all goods and services for a country or organisation.
• Social Systems - the interdependent network of social institutions that support,
enable and acculturate individuals and provide participatory opportunities to achieve
personal expectations and life-goals within hereditary and non-hereditary groups, in
either stable or unstable environments.
• Infrastructure Systems - the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the
functioning of a community, organisation, or society.
• Information Systems - the entire infrastructure, organization, personnel, and
components that collect, process, store, transmit, display, disseminate, and act on
information.

27. The instruments of power, the “tools”
• Military. The military is NATO’s main instrument. It refers to the application of
military power, including the threat or use of lethal and non-lethal force, to
coerce, deter, contain or defeat an adversary, including the disruption and
destruction of its critical military and non-military capabilities.
• Political. The political instrument refers to the use of political power, in
particular in the diplomatic arena co-operating with various actors, to influence
an adversary or to create advantageous conditions.
• Economic. The economic instrument generally refers to initiatives and
sanctions designed to affect the flow of goods and services, as well as financial
support to state and non-state actors involved in a crisis.
• Civil. The civil instrument refers to the use of powers contained within such
areas as judiciary, constabulary, education, public information and civilian
administration and support infrastructure, which can lead to access to medical
care, food, power and water. It also includes the administrative capacities of
international, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGO). The
civil instrument is controlled and exercised by sovereign nations, IOs and
NGOs.

28. A comprehensive approach
NATO Military End-State
Attained
External Support to Security Apparatus Adequate Level of Internal Security
Security Authorities regain
Control
Focus on Military
Activities Effective Security Level of Violence within
Societal Norms
CIMIC Internal Security Mechanism Adequate Level of Public Support for
Security Security
Ops
Effective Stability
Crisis Adequate level of Public Support for
Governance governance Governance
Focus for e.g. adequate level of
Economic Stability
International employment
Community
Social and Human e.g. health, education Development
living conditions

29. Civil-military organizational levels
Political – Strategic Level
International
Organisations
United Nations Non-Governmental
Non-
United Nations
Security Council
Security Council Organisations
Nations
Nations
North Atlantic Regional Authorities
North Atlantic
United Nations Council
Council
…
United Nations
Secretary General
Secretary General
Head of State
Head of State ???
Department Peace
Department Peace
Strategic
Strategic
???
Keeping Operations Command
Keeping Operations Command
Operational Level
UNSRSG
UNSRSG Senior Civil Ministers/Ministries
Senior Civil Ministers/Ministries
Representative
Representative ???
???
Political Civil Administration
Political
Affairs Civil Office
Administration
Affairs Office NATO Force
NATO Force Chiefs Of
Command Chiefs Of
Humanitarian Force Command Administration/Defense
Humanitarian Force Administration/Defense
Affairs Command Parties
Affairs Command
Military or Paramilitary
Forces
Tactical Level
Component Regional/Provincial ???
Component Regional/Provincial ???
Command Authorities
UN Command Authorities
UN
Specific Local Authorities ???
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST Specific Local Authorities ???
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST Units/Assets
Units/Assets