Unconventional Warfare Pocket Guide/UW Phase I: Preparation

by the United States Army Special Operations Command

UW Phase I: Preparation

Preparation must begin with intelligence preparation of the environment (IPOE) to understand the dynamics within the populace. UW IPOE includes, but is not limited to, a thorough analysis of the resistance force’s strengths, weaknesses, logistics concerns, level of training and experience, political or military agendas, factional relationships, and external political ties. Along with this data, IOPE requires a thorough target area study. At a minimum, the target area study includes governmental services, living conditions, and political, religious, economic, environmental, medical, and educational issues. Analysis and planning for transition to civil governance begins, to include contingency planning for collapse of the adversary government or power and sudden victory by the resistance.

Activities

• Conduct Continual Area Assessment
• Design, Plan, and Update the UW Campaign
• Gain Access to and Identify Resistance Assets
• Continue Preparation of the Environment (PE): Civil, Military, Physical, Virtual Domains
• Conduct MISO and Civil Affairs (CA) Support to UW
• Conduct Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (JIPOE)
• Synchronize Activities with Interagency Partners
• Develop Non-Standard Logistics (NSL) Infrastructure and Plan Support to Irregular Forces
• Maintain Support Mechanisms
• Maintain/Develop PR Intelligence Analysis to Support Nonconventional Assisted Recovery (NAR)/Unconventional Assisted Recovery (UAR) mechanisms