ASCOPE

Put this together for my Army Basic Instructors Course

1. Defining the Operational Environment 162 nd IN BDE - Security Force Assistance BN Mr. Andrew R. Major 1

2. How did we prefer to fight wars prior to Sept 11, 2001? 2 Unclassified 12/6/2012

3. Traditional Warfare Warfare between nation-states Direct military confrontation Seeks to defeat adversary’s military Influence adversary’s government Operations focused on terrain Offensive and defensive operations predominate Irregular Warfare Among state and non-state actors Indirect approach/elements of national power important Seeks to erode power, influence, and will Gain legitimacy and influence over a relevant population Operations focused on relevant population Complex mix of offense, defense, and stability operations Playing into their hands. A military force, culturally programmed to respond conventionally (and predictably) to insurgent attacks, is akin to the bull that repeatedly charges a matador’s cape – only to tire and eventually be defeated by a much weaker opponent. This is predictable – the bull does what comes naturally. While a conventional approach is instinctive, that behavior is self defeating. COMISAF Gen McChrystal COIN Guidance 2010 3 Unclassified 12/6/2012

4. “There is no substitute for a "close reading" of the environment. But it is a reading that resides in no book, but around you; in the terrain, the people, their social and cultural institutions, the way they act and think. You have to be a participant observer . And the key is to see beyond the surface differences between our societies and these environments to the deeper social and cultural drivers of conflict, drivers that locals would understand on their own terms David Kilcullen Small Wars Journal 2007 Why ASCOPE? ISAFs CDR’s COIN Guidance : Protecting the people is the mission The conflict will be won by persuading the population, not by destroying the enemy Secure and Serve the Population : The decisive terrain is the human terrain. The people are the center of gravity 4 Unclassified 12/6/2012

5. Terminal Learning Objective Action: Define the Operational Environment Using the ASCOPE Methodology Conditions: Given a class of approximately 20 students, course handouts, PowerPoint slides, and a regular classroom setting Standards: Demonstrate understanding the Operating Environment using the ASCOPE method IAW FM 3-24.2 (Tactics in COIN) Given a printed exam, correctly answering 5 out of 7 questions to receive a GO for this course. 5 Unclassified 12/6/2012

6. Administrative Notes Class Conduct Speak up if uncertain, mutual learning environment Look out for the person to your left and right Maintain professionalism, keep conduct appropriate, don’t distract from soldiers seeking improvement Safety Requirements If building evac is necessary, conduct link up in the front parking lot Stay alert, stay safe Risk Assessment: Low Environmental Considerations: It is mandatory for all DA civilians and service members to protect the environment from waste and damage. Army values and general courtesy apply Evaluation: There are multiple checks on learning throughout the class ELO B concludes with a peer graded PE A printed exam will be completed following ELO B. Students will be graded based on a GO/NO-GO basis. Students must correctly answer 5 out of 7 questions to receive a GO. Formal Introduction: Mr. Major facilitating the learning discussion on Defining the Operational Environment Using ASCOPE. 6 Unclassified 12/6/2012

7. Enabling Learning Objective: A Action: Recognize the purpose of ASCOPE and it’s function Conditions: Given a class of approximately 20 students, course handouts, PowerPoint slides and a regular classroom setting Standards: Describe the components of ASCOPE Identify significant elements within the OE to produce ASCOPE IAW FM 3-24.2 (Tactics in COIN) 7 Unclassified 12/6/2012

8. Terms and Definitions OE: Operating Environment A composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander .” In other words, the operational environment is everything, everybody and every event around you. IPB: Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield It is the systematic, continuous process of analyzing the threat, terrain, and environment. It is conducted throughout planning and the execution of the operation. COIN: Counterinsurgency Counterinsurgency is those military, paramilitary, economic, psychological and civil actions taken by a government to defeat an insurgency (JP 1‑02) IW: Irregular Warfare A violent struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations . Irregular warfare favors indirect and asymmetric approaches, though it may employ the full range of military and other capabilities. 8 Unclassified 12/6/2012

9. Terms and Definitions OAKOC: Terrain Analysis Observation/fields of fire, Avenues of approach, Key terrain, Obstacles, Cover & concealment, Civilian considerations PMES-II: Operational Variables Political, Military, Economic, Social – Infrastructure, Information METT-TC: Mission Variables Mission, Enemy, Terrain/Weather, Troop/Support – Time, Civil Considerations ASCOPE: Civil Considerations Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People, Events 9 Unclassified 12/6/2012

10. ASCOPE In a COIN environment ASCOPE is used to analyze the cultural and human environment or what is sometimes referred to as “human terrain” Understanding ASCOPE is essential to identifying the Root Causes of an insurgency It provides the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the environment. ASCOPE helps us approach the problem from the perspective of the nature of the population and nature of the insurgency It is essentially a tool that anyone can use at any level to see the environment through the eyes of the populace 10 Unclassified 12/6/2012

11. What ASCOPE Can Look Like 11 Unclassified 12/6/2012

12. Areas Address Terrain Analysis From A Civilian Perspective . Religious boundaries Political boundaries Social enclaves Criminal enclaves Agricultural, mining, labor regions Trade routes Government centers Police centers Military Centers Temporary settlements for IDPs 12 Unclassified 12/6/2012

13. Structures How does a structure’s location, function, and capabilities support or hinder operations? T raditional high payoff targets: b ridges, communications towers, power plants, and dams. International and locally significant sites: c hurches, mosques, national libraries, and hospitals, cemeteries, historical ruins, religious sites, cultural areas, and other protected sites Practical sites: jails, warehouses, toxic industrial storage sites , print plants, television and radio stations ; may influence operations. 13 Unclassified 12/6/2012

14. Capabilities Capabilities: the ability of local authorities to provide key functions and services. Those areas where the populace needs help after combat operations : Public health Security Public works and utilities Economics Commerce “SWEAT-MS” is useful tool to look at Capabilities S ewer – Local government (Mayor and council) W ater – Tribal leader (historical - for hundreds of years, tribal leader controlled and protected wells. E lectricity – Town engineer A cademic – Government and religious leaders T rash – Private business (local entrepreneurs) M edical – Tribal doctors S ecurity – Police, tribal militia 14 Unclassified 12/6/2012

15. Organizations Consider all nonmilitary groups or institutions in the AO (Political, Cultural, Social, Religious ) Tribes Political Wings of Insurgent Groups PRT Non-government organizations (NGO) Private Sector (Companies, Contractors) International Red Cross Other Government Agencies (OGA) Media (TV, Radio, Newspapers, periodicals) Criminal organizations 15 Unclassified 12/6/2012

16. People All nonmilitary personnel that military forces encounter in the AO… whose actions, opinions, or political influence can affect the mission City council leaders Imams/clerics Professionals Displaced persons or “squatters” Sources Mullahs, Tribal Leaders Identify the key communicators and the formal and informal processes used to influence people. In addition, consider how historical, cultural, and social factors that shape public perceptions beliefs, goals, and expectations. 16 Unclassified 12/6/2012

17. Events Events are routine, cyclical, planned, or spontaneous activities that significantly affect organizations, people, or military operations . National Elections Anniversaries (independence, etc.) Carnival/Ramadan (religious) Funerals Political Rallies SIGACTS (Significant Activities) Weather and Climate Patterns 17 Unclassified 12/6/2012

18. ASCOPE Simplified 18 Unclassified 12/6/2012

19. 19 Unclassified 12/6/2012 # Areas Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events   1 Social classes: Wealthy Poor District Center Governance: T. Elders HN Govt Trending down USAID Tribe B. Elder: Bernard Beaudreaux Deputy: Bobby Violence: IED, Assassinations, Kidnappings, Sporadic   2 Education levels: Higher, Lower Govt HQ Academics: HN Neutral Tribe: Leesvillan Sub: Thib . And Beaux Tribe T. Elder: Hebert Thibideaux Deputy: Henry Crawfish Boil   3 Tribes: Beaudreaux Thibideaux USAID HQ Economic: HN, USAID Neutral Criminal Monthly council “Crawfish Boil” Speeches/announcements Projects, resource dist.   4 Govt trust: Urban Rural Market Security: HNSF, CF Trending down Insurgent Other senior officials Word of mouth Downturn of stability   5 Violence: High levels, low levels Schools Intel: HNSF, CF Trending down “Boil” attendees Marketplace Word of mouth Arrival in country, halfway mark   6 Govt legitimacy: HN vs Tribal Merchants USAID reps ??? Blood feud Historical and current   7 Social classes: Wealthy Poor District Center Governance: T. Elders HN Govt Trending down USAID Tribe B. Elder: Bernard Beaudreaux Deputy: Bobby Violence: IED, Assassinations, Kidnappings, Sporadic   8 Education levels: Higher, Lower Govt HQ Academics: HN Neutral Tribe: Leesvillan Sub: Thib . And Beaux Tribe T. Elder: Hebert Thibideaux Deputy: Henry Crawfish Boil

20. Overlay Example FOB GIGANTOR Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion A - Area: Where do people live, work, play, meet, worship? Tribe C Tribe A Tribe B Tribe D Poor Poor Poor Poor Rich Ex Regime S - Structures: Why are structures in the area important? M M M M C - Capabilities: Who in the community is capable of providing for the people? G G G G Merchants O - Organizations: What are the different groups of people in the area? Merchants Merchants N N P - People: How do the people communicate/interact? T T G G Gov. Council Member Gov. Council Member Gov. Council Member Gov. Council Member Graffiti Tea Shops Graffiti Tea Shops E - Events: When are things occurring? IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED IED $ RPG RPG RPG RPG RPG RPG RPG IED IED IED IED IED IED RPG RPG RPG RPG RPG Mosque Mosque Mosque Mosque NGO NGO 20 Unclassified 12/6/2012

21. Example Spreadsheet 21 Unclassified 12/6/2012

22. Example Combined 22 Unclassified 12/6/2012

23. ELO Summary ELO A Action: Identify the purpose of ASCOPE and it’s functions Questions, Comments? 23 Unclassified 12/6/2012

24. Check on Learning What does the acronym ASCOPE represent? Area, Structure, Capabilities, Organizations, People, Events Which type of warfare is the U.S. currently employing in Afghanistan? IW or Irregular Warfare Which acronym is useful for defining the Capabilities of an AO? SWEAT-MS 24 Unclassified 12/6/2012

25. QUESTIONS? 25 Unclassified 12/6/2012

26. Enabling Learning Objective: B Action: Produce an ASCOPE chart that accurately defines the immediate operational environment Conditions: Given a classroom setting, PPT presentation, student packet containing a partially filled ASCOPE sheet, a brief fictional narrative and memory aids Standards: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the assigned OE by completing an ASCOPE chart within 5 minutes, IAW FM 3-24.2 (Tactics in COIN) 26 Unclassified 12/6/2012

27. Where to Start? Understanding the nature of IW and change of mindset “Killing a fly with a brick” “Patching bullet wounds with Band-Aids” “Experiencing Afghanistan for the first time 12 years in a row” What resources are out there to help jump-start ASCOPE development? RIP/TOA Unit Partnered or Host Nation Security Forces HN Populace (Elders, leaders, prominent individuals, random…) NGO Inter/Intra-agencies (DEA, CIA, DoS , CF Equivalents…) CF Intel Networks (S-2, CA, CMO, COist , etc…) Personal research It has been said that Afghanistan is the graveyard not of empires, but of databases. There is so much information out there that has been gathered and then lost in the morass of isolated (unlinked) proprietary databases. 27 Unclassified 12/6/2012

28. Bottom Line Think outside the box, but write your answer in the box… where you can find it when you need it. 28 Unclassified 12/6/2012

29. The Standard PE Normal Speed ASCOPE Practical Exercise Narrative   After six months of arriving in country, you’ve noticed an increase in hostility towards the CF and Host Nation Government. IEDs have substantially increased in your area and local officials are being kidnapped or assassinated almost weekly. From the time of your initial arrival until now, things were relatively quiet in the area. Projects were being developed, resources were distributed amongst the locals, and the local officials were making progress gaining back the trust of the populace, more so within the urbanized regions where most of the wealthier and educated citizens resided. However, the outlying rural swamplands, primarily occupied by undereducated and poorer citizens, are still seeing small pockets of insurgents, criminals and sporadic violence. The two sub-tribes of the dominant Leesvillan tribe ( Beaudreauxs and Thibideauxs ) have both contributed members to the local government and security forces. Bernard Beaudreaux , the Beaudreaux’s tribal elder has made significant progress towards settling ancient blood feuds with the Thibideauxs by using the customary and accepted form of community council, the Shira , locally referred to as a “Crawfish Boil”. The “Boil” takes place monthly at the district center located near the Government HQ building in downtown Leesville. Official members from the Leesvillans along with both sub-tribes attend the council to include the two sub-tribe leaders Bernard Beaudreaux and Hebert Thibideaux , their deputies Bobby Beaudreaux and Henry Thibideaux , varied other tribal officials and seniors, and of course concerned citizens. USAID reps have also been seen in attendance but they usually just return to their HQ located a few miles south of the local market without providing any input or feedback. Things appeared to be stabilizing until recently and the CF/HN intelligence analysts cannot identify the source of the recent escalation in violence. Maybe ASCOPE can help reduce some of this instability or at least identify the cause before your remaining six months are up. # Areas Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events   1 2 3 4 5 Rural swamps Security HN Decreasing Primary tribe Local Officials Arrival AORs within OE Once you’re comfortable with what you do know, start looking for what you don’t. Try to identify sources to fill those information gaps. You can add ?s to the ASCOPE as well 29 Unclassified 12/6/2012

30. After six months of arriving in country, you’ve noticed an increase in hostility towards the CF and Host Nation Government. IEDs have substantially increased in your area and local officials are being kidnapped or assassinated almost weekly. # Areas Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events   1 2 3 Arrival to the OE OP areas: CF, HNSF, HN Govt IEDs Assassinations Kidnapping Weekly Security: HNSF, CF Trending down The Product PE Talk Through Process 30 Unclassified 12/6/2012

31. The Product PE Walk Through Process From the time of your initial arrival until now, things were relatively quiet in the area. Projects were being developed, resources were distributed amongst the locals, and the local officials were making progress gaining back the trust of the populace…. # Areas Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events   1 2 3 Arrival to the OE OP areas: CF, HNSF, HN Govt IEDs Assassinations Kidnapping Weekly Security: HNSF, CF Trending down Project development, Resources distribution Projects Local official legitimacy Areas of HN Influence 31 Unclassified 12/6/2012

32. Practice Do not overthink the scenario. Just focus on placing identified elements in proper categories ASCOPE can be subjective in certain cases. If it makes sense to you, make sure you can explain why Only add what you see in the scenario. Don’t add implied or unspecified elements. When defining the OE, what you DON’T know is just as important as what you do. Blanks or “Gaps” in the data equal questions and focus points for your next patrol 32 Unclassified 12/6/2012

33. Practical Exercise Minimize talking until after the PE You have 5 minutes to complete this task 33 Unclassified 12/6/2012

34. PE Review 34 Unclassified 12/6/2012 # Areas Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events   1 Social classes: Wealthy Poor District Center Governance: T. Elders HN Govt Trending down USAID Tribe B. Elder: Bernard Beaudreaux Deputy: Bobby Violence: IED, Assassinations, Kidnappings, Sporadic   2 Education levels: Higher, Lower Govt HQ Academics: HN Neutral Tribe: Leesvillan Sub: Thib . And Beaux Tribe T. Elder: Hebert Thibideaux Deputy: Henry Crawfish Boil   3 Tribes: Beaudreaux Thibideaux USAID HQ Economic: HN, USAID Neutral Criminal Monthly council “Crawfish Boil” Speeches/announcements Projects, resource dist.   4 Govt trust: Urban Rural Market Security: HNSF, CF Trending down Insurgent Other senior officials Word of mouth Downturn of stability   5 Violence: High levels, low levels Schools Intel: HNSF, CF Trending down “Boil” attendees Marketplace Word of mouth Arrival in country, halfway mark   6 Govt legitimacy: HN vs Tribal Merchants USAID reps ??? Blood feud Historical and current   7 Social classes: Wealthy Poor District Center Governance: T. Elders HN Govt Trending down USAID Tribe B. Elder: Bernard Beaudreaux Deputy: Bobby Violence: IED, Assassinations, Kidnappings, Sporadic   8 Education levels: Higher, Lower Govt HQ Academics: HN Neutral Tribe: Leesvillan Sub: Thib . And Beaux Tribe T. Elder: Hebert Thibideaux Deputy: Henry Crawfish Boil

35. E LO Summary ELO B: Action Produce an ASCOPE chart that accurately defines the immediate operational environment Questions, Comments? 35 Unclassified 12/6/2012

36. Check on Learning What is the tool ASCOPE used for? Defining the Operational Enviroment , attacking the root sources of insurgency, seeing issues through the populace Who uses ASCOPE and when? Anyone, anytime they need information on their surroundings Name 2 resources available in theater for obtaining ASCOPE information? RIP/TOA Unit, Partnered or Host Nation Security Forces,HN Populace (Elders, leaders, prominent individuals, random …), NGO, etc… 36 Unclassified 12/6/2012

37. QUESTIONS? 37 Unclassified 12/6/2012

38. Terminal Learning Objective Action: Define the Operational Environment Using the ASCOPE Methodology Conditions: Given a class of approximately 20 students, course handouts, PowerPoint slides, and a regular classroom setting Standards: Demonstrate understanding the Operating Environment using the ASCOPE method IAW FM 3-24.2 (Tactics in COIN) Given a printed exam, correctly answering 5 out of 7 questions to receive a GO for this course. 38 Unclassified 12/6/2012

39. Evaluation Statement Student Evaluation : Given 3 minutes to complete the printed test, students must identify which ASCOPE category correctly corresponds with the adjacent statements. Students must properly identify 5 out of 7 statements to receive a GO Any students receiving a NO GO will conduct retesting shortly after ABIC class concludes in this classroom (140) 39 Unclassified 12/6/2012

40. Start Stop Timer 1 Minute 2 Minutes 40 Unclassified 12/6/2012

41. Defining the Operational Environment Using ASCOPE Circle the letter that corresponds with the appropriate category The town’s IED maker is arrested A S C O P E The DEA is operating nearby A S C O P E Local law enforcement’s jurisdiction A S C O P E The nearest detention facility A S C O P E The Mayor’s alias is “Al- Shabuti ” A S C O P E The insurgents operate at will, local security is ineffective A S C O P E The Mayor calls local law enforcement and has the IED maker released due to unfair treatment A S C O P E Student Name: Date: Grader Name: Date: Score _____ Of 7 GO / NO-GO 41 Unclassified 12/6/2012

42. TLO Summary TLO Action : Define the Operational Environment Using the ASCOPE Methodology ELO A: Action : Recognize the purpose of ASCOPE and it’s function in today’s environment ELO B: Action Produce an ASCOPE chart that accurately defines the immediate operational environment Questions, Comments? 42 Unclassified 12/6/2012

43. Check on Learning What does the A in ASCOPE represent? Areas True or False: Only Intel, Special Operations or TOC personnel should use ASCOPE? False , anyone who’s operations affect or are affected by the population should use ASCOPE The two primary types of warfare are ________ and ______? (IW) Irregular Warfare, Traditional (Conventional) 43 Unclassified 12/6/2012