Commander’s Intent Across the Services

 
Commander’s intent is the commander’s clear and concise expression of what the force must do and the conditions the force must establish to accomplish the mission. It includes the purpose, end state, and associated risks.

Commander’s intent supports mission command and allows subordinates the greatest possible freedom of action. It provides focus to the staff and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander’s objectives without further orders once the operation begins, even when the operation does not unfold as planned.

Successful commanders demand subordinate leaders at all echelons exercise disciplined initiative and act aggressively and independently to accomplish the mission within the commander’s intent. Subordinates emphasize timely decision making, understanding the higher commander’s intent, and clearly identifying tasks to achieve desired objectives. Well-crafted commander’s intent improves subordinates’ situational awareness, which enables effective actions in fluid, chaotic situations.

Source: JP 3-0 Joint Operations, II-7 

With a clear understanding of the intent of an assigned mission, commanders have the responsibility and authority to act and to trust subordinates to complete their assigned missions. To that end, all commanders will:

• At all times display exemplary conduct as defined above.
• Establish a healthy command climate.
• Have a propensity for action.
• Deliberately execute the duties and responsibilities outlined above, to include all aspects of executing the mission, leading people, managing resources and improving the unit.
• Apply the tenets of effective command and control as defined in Joint Publication 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States and Air Force Doctrine Volume 1, Basic Air Force Doctrine, to increase the ability of commanders to make sound and timely decisions and enhance unity of effort.

Source: AFI 1-2 (8 May 2014) P. 5 

The commander’s intent is a clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that:

• Supports mission command
• Provides focus to the staff
• Helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander’s desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned (JP 3-0).

Commanders establish their own commander’s intent within the intent of their higher commander. The higher commander’s intent provides the basis for unity of effort throughout the larger force.

Commanders articulate the overall reason for the operation so forces understand why it is being conducted. A well-crafted commander’s intent conveys a clear image of the operation’s purpose, key tasks and the desired outcome. It expresses the broader purpose of the operation—beyond that of the mission statement. This helps subordinate commanders and Soldiers to gain insight into what is expected of them, what constraints apply, and, most important, why the mission is being undertaken. A clear commander’s intent that lower-level leaders can understand is key to maintaining unity of effort. (See ADRP 5-0 for the format of the commander’s intent.)

Successful commanders understand they cannot provide guidance or direction for all conceivable contingencies. They formulate and communicate their commander’s intent to describe the boundaries within which subordinates may exercise disciplined initiative while maintaining unity of effort. Commanders collaborate and dialogue with subordinates to ensure they understand the commander’s intent. Subordinates aware of the commander’s intent are far more likely to exercise initiative in unexpected situations. Successful mission command demands subordinates exercising their initiative to make decisions that further their higher commander’s intent.

Source: ADP 6-0 Mission Command (July 2019) 

The commander’s intent conveys the objective and the desired course of action, while the concept of operations details the commander’s estimated sequence of actions to achieve the objective. The concept of operations also contains essential elements of a plan, i.e., what is to be done and how the commander plans to do it. A significant change in the situation that requires new action will alter the concept of operations, but the commander’s intent — their overriding objective — usually remains unchanged.

Source: Coast Guard Publication 1: Doctrine for the U.S. Coast Guard (Feb. 2014) P.81 

We achieve this harmonious initiative in large part through the use of the commander’s intent, a device designed to help subordinates understand the larger context of their actions. The purpose of providing intent is to allow subordinates to exercise judgment and initiative — to depart from the original plan when the unforeseen occurs — in a way that is consistent with higher commanders’ aims.

Source: MCDP1 Warfighting P. 4-19

A commander’s clear, concise articulation of the purpose(s) behind one or more tasks assigned to a subordinate. It is one of two parts of every mission statement which guides the exercise of initiative in the absence of instructions. (MCRP 5-12C) 

Source: MCDP 1-0, P. Glossary-9

Commander’s intent is the commander’s personal expression of the purpose of the operation. It must be clear, concise, and easily understood two levels down. It may also include end state or conditions that, when satisfied, accomplish the purpose. Commander’s intent helps subordinates understand the larger context of their actions and guides them in the absence of orders. It allows subordinates to exercise judgment and initiative—in a way that is consistent with their higher commander’s aims—when the unforeseen occurs. This freedom of action, within the framework of commander’s intent, creates tempo during planning and execution. Source: MCDP 1-0, P. 3-15 

A clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that supports mission command, provides focus to the staff and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander’s desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned.

Source: NWP 5-01 (December 2013) P. 426 (in glossary) (Note this is the most recent policy released to the public, hosted by the Naval War College)