c. JOPS is complemented by the Joint Deployment System (JDS) that consists of
personnel, procedures, communications systems, and electronic data processing
systems to directly support time-sensitive planning and execution and to complement
peacetime deliberate planning. JDS procedures bridge the gap between the deliberate
operation plan development prescribed in JOPS I, II, and III, and the time-sensitive
planning in crisis situations prescribed in JOPS IV. JOPS was designed as a
methodical aid to peacetime planning, whereas JDS is a time-responsive system
developed to handle information rapidly in a crisis. JOPS facilitates the development
of TPFDD files and movement tables/schedules during deliberate plan development.
The resultant data may be used to support execution planning in time of crisis.
4. Operation Plans (OPLANs).
a. Operation plans involve the conduct of military operations in a hostile environment
(except for the Special Intelligence Operations [SIOP]). They are prepared in either
complete format (OPLAN) or concept format (CONPLAN). OPLANs and
CONPLANs resulting from JSCP tasking and other JCS directives are submitted to
the Joint Chiefs of Staff for review and approval.
b. OPLANs are normally prepared only for those situations that would be sufficiently
critical to national security to require detailed prior planning. Such situations would
normally tax the total resources made available for planning.
c. CONPLANs are normally prepared when the contingency is not sufficiently critical
to national security to require detailed prior planning, the probability of occurrence in
the JSCP timeframe is low, or planning flexibility is desired to prepare additional
concepts of operations for a wider range of contingencies.
d. Other plans involve the conduct of military operations in a peacetime or non-
hostile environment. Examples include plans for disaster relief, evacuation of
noncombatants, protection of U.S. citizens, nuclear weapon recovery and evacuation,
and continuity of operations. Requirements for these plans should be satisfied by
command publications; e.g., CINPAC NEO PLAN, USCINCEUR Reconstitution
Plan, CINCLANT Platform Protection SOP, USCINCRED Air Defense Deployment
Plan, CINCAD FAA Support SOP. Unless specifically directed, there is no
requirement to submit these plans to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for review and approval.
5. Deliberate Planning - The Planning Process.
a. The planning process is continuous. It begins when a task is assigned and ends
when the plan is executed or the requirement for the plan is cancelled. Deliberate
planning was designed as a cyclic process during peacetime conditions and provides
the JCS an opportunity to develop and refine plans to be used in wartime. In its basic
form, deliberate planning has five formal phases (Initiation, Concept Development,
Plan Development, Plan Review, and Supporting Plans). These phases produce a
family of plans (the supported commander's plan plus all supporting plans) that have
been prepared, reviewed, and approved. Following the five formal phases, the family
of plans must be maintained. Although planning is essentially a sequential process,
Previous Page
