text: Chapter 1
  involves a transition. Cavalry units are instrumental in providing the commander with information to make
  transitions as seamless as possible. They provide protection for the main body transitioning from offense to
  defense. However, Cavalry units are vulnerable to enemy threats, unanticipated changes to the situation, and
  the danger of relaxing discipline and safety standards during their own and higher transitions. As a result,
  commanders should establish clear conditions for mission execution.
  FIGHT FOR INFORMATION
  1-23. The information friendly forces seek is generally of equal importance to the enemy who will act to
  protect the vital information. In addition, Cavalry units can satisfy some threat-based intelligence
  requirements only by learning from the enemy’s reactions. While preserving their freedom of maneuver,
  Cavalry units overcome these efforts and fight for information within their capabilities to develop the
  situation rapidly and to report accurately the specific details of the tactical situation.
  SECTION II – UNDERSTANDING THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
  1-24. BCTs develop an understanding of operational variables (political, military, economic, social,
  information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time [PMESII-PT], and mission variables of
  METT-TC (I) through reconnaissance and information collection to enhance situational awareness and an
  understanding of competing interests. The G-2 or S2 is responsible for defining the cyberspace and the
  electromagnetic operational environment (EMOE), which enables the BCT commander and staff to visualize
  both friendly and enemy cyberspace and EW assets through the three layers of cyberspace and the EMS.
  Understanding competing interests within the area of operations allows the commander and staff to frame
  specific problems. BCTs seek to understand motivations and to recognize that each interest has multiple
  perspectives. To operate effectively under conditions of complexity and in close contact with enemies and
  populations, BCTs consider political interests from multiple perspectives.
  1-25. Understanding interests requires analysis of the operational (PMESII-PT) and mission variables of
  METT-TC (I) within a particular region. To communicate effectively, BCTs must develop an understanding
  of the local audience’s cultural communication techniques. BCTs must understand the most important aspect
  of cultural communication is how the population receives the information rather than how the unit transmits
  the information. Determination of valued interests within an area provides options for BCTs to establish
  programs that incentivize cooperation leading to mission accomplishment. Comprehension of interests allows
  for understanding to implement disincentives that seek to coerce and persuade adversaries, enemies, and
  neutral parties who have interests counter to the objectives of the brigade and higher. The understanding and
  acknowledgement of interests frame information operations in future operations.
  1-26. Efforts to understand interests begin before deployment. Country studies, analysis of the social
  demographics, constructs of local, sub-national, and national governance, and understanding of key
  personalities and organizations within a brigade’s future area of operation provide a baseline knowledge to
  increase situational awareness and identify potential areas of friction before a brigade deploys. BCTs consider
  the elements of PMESII-PT within their area of operations to gain understanding of the interests and
  motivations particular to enhance situational awareness. Unified action partners, Army Special Operations
  Forces (SOF), and other joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational organizations are key
  resources all units use to develop situational understanding during shaping efforts leading to a sustainable
  security environment. The military information support operations assets organic and attached to the BCT
  can assist in conducting adversary, information message analysis, and exploitation. The military information
  support operations staff planner can obtain division or higher-level military information support operations
  support to counter the adversary information activities as necessary. Analysis of these considerations allows
  informed leaders to identify information gaps and develop courses of action that increase situational
  understanding within their area of operation.
  1-27. BCTs conduct information collection through reconnaissance operations focused on information
  requirements to bridge information gaps. Gaps identified during IPB develop into information requirements
  through continuous reconnaissance. BCTs define and collect information requirements that develop
  situational understanding of the interests within a particular area by focusing civil considerations within the
  construct of areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events. BCTs employ a range of