text: Chapter 1
  OPERATIONAL VARIABLES
  1-5. Army planners use the operational variables to describe an operational environment. Operational
  variables are a comprehensive set of information categories used to describe an operational environment
  (ADP 1-01). They are the aspects of an operational environment that affect operations, and they differ from
  one assigned area to another. The eight operational variables are: political, military, economic, social,
  information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time (also known as PMESII-PT).
  1-6. When commanders and staff analyze their specific operational environment, they also discern what
  parts or aspects of each domain and the relevant information aspects and considerations to their operation.
  They continue to refine and update their analysis even after receiving a mission and throughout the course of
  the ensuing operation. (See FM 5-0 for more information on the operational variables.)
  MISSION VARIABLES
  1-7. The mission variables are categories of specific information needed to conduct operations (ADP 1-
  01). The purpose of mission variables is to provide a set of informational categories focused on what leaders
  need to know to achieve situational understanding once assigned a mission. This ensures Army leaders
  understand the context in which they perform their missions and if necessary, take actions to modify their
  chosen tactic. The seven mission variables are mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support
  available—time available, civil considerations, and informational considerations [METT-TC(I)].
  1-8. METT-TC (I) represents the mission variables leaders use to analyze and understand a situation in
  relationship to the unit’s mission. The first six variables are not new. However, the pervasiveness of
  information and its applicability in different military contexts requires leaders to continuously assess its
  various aspects during operations. Due to this, “I” has been added to the METT-TC mnemonic. Information
  considerations are expressed as a parenthetical variable because it is not an independent consideration, but
  an important component of each variable of METT-TC that leaders must understand when developing
  understanding of a situation. (See FM 5-0 for additional information on the mission variables.)
  ROLE OF TACTICS
  1-9. Tactical actions always link to operational or strategic objectives; they are never employed in isolation.
  Tactics serve a distinct purpose and are nested within a larger military campaign. Military operations are
  inherently joint and frequently multinational in nature. Understanding how tactics fit into the larger picture
  is the starting point to planning, preparing, executing, and assessing successful tactical operations.
  JOINT OPERATIONS
  1-10. The joint force conducts joint operations through unified action. Unified action is the synchronization,
  coordination, and/or integration of the activities of governmental and nongovernmental entities with military
  operations to achieve unity of effort (JP 1, Vol 1). The Army accomplishes its mission by supporting the joint
  force and unified action partners in four strategic roles:
  * Shape operational environments.
  * Counter aggression on land during crisis.
  * Prevail in large-scale ground combat.
  * Consolidate gains.
  1-11. These strategic roles are not tasks assigned to subordinate units. The U.S. Army’s primary mission
  supports the joint force by organizing, training, and equipping its forces to conduct prompt and sustained
  land combat to defeat enemy ground forces and seize, occupy, and defend land areas.
  MULTIDOMAIN OPERATIONS
  1-12. The Army’s contribution to joint operations is multidomain operations. Multidomain operations are
  the combined arms employment of joint and Army capabilities to create and exploit relative advantages that
  achieve objectives, defeat enemy forces, and consolidate gains on behalf of joint force commanders (FM 3-
  0). Multidomain operations are how Army forces operate as part of the joint force against threats able to