text: Stability
  Desired End State
  8-136. The BCT commander’s definition of the desired end state is a required input to area security
  operations. While end state is normally described as a stable, safe, and secure environment during
  stability-focused operations, this description is not sufficient. Initial MOEs and MOPs quantifying that
  environment are determined during the planning process. (See chapter 3 for additional information.)
  Measures of effectiveness and performance are important in stability-focused area security operations since
  traditional combat measures, such as territory gained, enemy personnel killed or captured, and enemy combat
  vehicles destroyed or captured do not apply. The commander also ensures the desired end state reflects the
  prolonged time-period associated with many stability-focused area security operations.
  8-137. Achieving the desired end state requires a knowledge of operational design (see chapter 4), the
  ability to achieve unity of effort, and a thorough depth of cultural awareness (see chapter 2) relating to the
  BCT’s area of operations. Through economy of forces, the commander identifies a finite amount of available
  combat powerto apply against the essential tasks associated with a given area security operation. Identifying
  essential tasks lays the foundation for the success of area security operations that represent the future stability
  of a state. Decisions about use of combatpower are more than a factor of the size of the force deployed, its
  relative composition, and the anticipated nature and duration of the mission. Assuring the long-term stability
  depends on applying unity of effort to the tasks that are, in fact, essential.
  Information Operations
  8-138. The final success or failure of the BCT’s area security operation rests with the perceptions of the
  inhabitants within and external to the BCT’s area of operations and goes beyond defeating the enemy.
  Securing the trust and confidence of the civilian population is the chief aim of information operations, which
  integrates and synchronizes information-related capabilities to generate effects in the information
  environment necessary to influence enemy, adversary, neutral, and friendly audiences.
  8-139. Information operations synchronization of information-related capabilities promotes the legitimacy
  of the mission and reduces bias, ignorance, and confusion by persuading, educating, coordinating, or
  influencing targeted audiences. Further, it promotes—through Soldier and leader engagement, civil affairs
  operations, and PSYOP, among other information-related capabilities—interaction at all echelons with these
  audiences so these target audiences understand the objectives and motives of BCT and that of higher
  headquarters, and the scope and duration of area security actions. Combined with broad efforts to build
  partner capacity, for example, SFA (see section V). Information operations are essential to achieving decisive
  results: a stable host-nation government and peaceful civilian population.
  8-140. The BCT information operations officer or noncommissioned officer coordinates with the division
  (or higher) information operations officer to synchronize information-related capabilities into the BCT’s
  information operations planning. Synchronization requires the BCT information operations officer (in
  coordination with the electromagnetic warfare officer [EWO]) to participate in targeting within the fire
  support cell as well as the various working groups and meetings chaired by the current and future operations
  and other integrating cells within the BCT. Participation allows for the development of a holistic
  understanding of the information environment within the problem sets facing the BCT staff. A staff-wide
  understanding helps synchronize the information-operations related planning and targeting and allows for
  shifts in priorities. This synchronization, in coordination with the information operations and civil-military
  operations managed at the BCT or division enables united action partners to be incorporated into planning.
  Note. Within the BCT, the information operations officer is responsible for synchronizing and
  deconflicting information-related capabilities employed in support of BCT operations. The BCT
  information operations officer synchronizes capabilities within subordinate maneuver battalions
  and squadron, and subordinate companies and troops that communicate information to audiences
  and affect information content and flow of enemy or adversary decision-making while protecting
  friendly information flow. The information operations officer prepares appendix 15 and a portion
  of appendixes 12, 13, and 14 to Annex C (Operations) to the operation order. (See chapter 3 and
  FM 3-13 for additional information.)