text: Chapter 4
  Analysis determines the appropriate combination of decisive action (offense, defense, stability) for the
  operation and conceptual planning activities lead to prioritization of defeat and stability mechanisms.
  Defeat Mechanism
  4-50. Defeat (see paragraph 2-99) has a temporal component and is seldom permanent. A defeat mechanism
  is a method through which friendly forces accomplish their mission against enemy opposition (ADP 3-0).
  All echelons within the BCT use a combination of four defeat mechanisms: destroy (see paragraph 2-99),
  dislocate,disintegrate,and isolate relating to offensive and defensive operations. Commanders consider more
  than one defeat mechanism simultaneously to produce complementary and reinforcing effects not attainable
  with a single mechanism. Used individually,a defeat mechanism achieves results relative to how much effort
  is expended. Using defeat mechanisms in combination creates enemy dilemmas that magnify their effects
  significantly. Commanders describe defeat mechanisms by the three types of effects they produce:
  (cid:122) Physical effects are those things that are material.
  (cid:122) Temporal effects are those that occur at a specific point in time.
  (cid:122) Cognitive effects those that pertain to or affect the mind.
  4-51. The commander conceptualizes an operational approach to attain the end state by formulating the most
  effective,efficient way to apply defeat mechanisms. For example:
  (cid:122) Physically defeating an enemy deprives enemy forces of the ability to achieve those aims.
  (cid:122) Temporally defeating an enemy anticipates enemy reactions and counters them before they can
  become effective.
  (cid:122) Cognitively defeating an enemy disrupts decision-making and deprives that enemy of the will to
  fight.
  4-52. Dislocate is to employ forces to obtain significant positional advantage, rendering the enemy’s
  dispositions less valuable, perhaps even irrelevant (ADP 3-0). For example, the commander can achieve
  dislocation by placing forces in locations where the enemy does not expect them.
  4-53. Disintegrate means to disrupt the enemy’s command and control system, degrading its ability to
  conduct operations while leading to a rapid collapse of the enemy’s capabilities or will to fight (ADP 3-0).
  For example, the commander can achieve disintegration by specifically targeting an enemy’s command
  structure and communications systems.
  4-54. Isolate means to separate a force from its sources of support in order to reduce its effectiveness and
  increase its vulnerability to defeat (ADP 3-0). For example, as isolation can encompass multiple domains
  and can have both physical and psychological effects detrimental to accomplishing a mission,the commander
  can isolate a force in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) thus exacerbate the effects of physical isolation
  by reducing its situational awareness.
  Stability Mechanism
  4-55. The BCT’s mission,in addition to defeating an enemy,may require performing stability mechanisms
  related to stability operations, security, and consolidating gains in an area of operations. A stability
  mechanismis the primary method through which friendly forces affect civilians in order to attain conditions
  that support establishing a lasting, stable peace (ADP 3-0). (See paragraphs 8-23 and 8-24 for a detailed
  discussion on the four stability mechanisms: compel,control,influence,and support.)
  Conceptual Planning Outputs and Activities
  4-56. Outputs of conceptual planning include a problem statement, draft mission statement, draft
  commander’s intent, a broad concept sketch, initial decision points, commander’s critical information
  requirements (CCIRs), and initial planning guidance. Conceptual planning activities should include initial
  framing of branches and sequels to the plan and the ideal end state or posture.