text: Comprehensive Tactical Planning in Counterinsurgency
  can be directed at the civilian populace as a whole, specific groups, or individuals outside the United States
  and its territories. Psychological operations can influence and modify the behavior of foreign target
  audiences in support of US objectives. In a COIN operation, PSYOP seeks to increase popular support for
  the Host Nation government. Typically, PSYOP directs its messages at the populace. However,
  psychological operations may focus on convincing enemy fighters to surrender rather than risk destruction.
  Therefore, these capabilities may be integrated into counterinsurgency targeting. Psychological operations
  units may also be task-organized with maneuver forces.
  Population
  4-51. The PSYOP message to the population in COIN has three key facets:
  • Obtain buy-in by COIN force for actions that affect the populace, such as—
  (cid:131) Control measures.
  (cid:131) Census.
  • Win over passive or neutral people by showing HN legitimacy and commitment.
  • Encourage locals to provide information about the insurgency to US or HN security forces.
  Insurgents
  4-52. The PSYOP message to the insurgents has three key facets:
  • Divide insurgent leaders and guerrillas by emphasizing differences
  (cid:131) In ideology within the insurgency.
  (cid:131) In the degree of sacrifice required by different groups.
  • Divide insurgents and mass base by emphasizing
  (cid:131) Failures of the insurgency.
  (cid:131) Successes of the government.
  • Create a means for insurgents to abandon the movement and return to the society.
  Leader and Soldier Engagement
  4-53. The actions of leaders and Soldiers are the most powerful components of information
  engagement. Visible actions coordinated with carefully chosen, truthful words influence audiences more
  than either does alone. Local and regional audiences as well as adversaries compare the friendly force’s
  message with its actions. Face-to-face interaction by leaders and Soldiers strongly influences the
  perceptions of the local populace. Meetings conducted by leaders with key communicators, civilian
  leaders, or others whose perceptions, decisions, and actions will affect mission accomplishment can be
  critical to mission success. These meetings provide the most convincing venue for conveying positive
  information, assuaging fears, and refuting rumors, lies, and misinformation.
  Techniques
  4-54. At the tactical level, there are three primary means a unit can use to disseminate its message: word
  of mouth, announcements, and town hall meetings.
  Word of Mouth
  4-55. This is the most basic form of sending and receiving information, and ultimately the form that
  every other method will become. Word of mouth is the quickest, most common, most inaccurate and most
  uncontrollable means of disseminating information; but it may be the best way to send a message. Rumors,
  spins, casual conversations and dinner-table discussions—whatever form they take, word of mouth travels
  like wild fire. It spreads out of control and the story grows and changes with each conversation. Everything
  a unit does is observed and discussed by the locals and spun by the enemy. Units should be prepared
  to counter false information. Patrols must interact with the populace. They must listen for rumors
  and correct the ones they hear, but do not waste time arguing about them. Units must spread a positive
  image and reinforce the good things the government is doing in the area to help the populace.