text: Chapter 1
  Continually Understand the Situation
  1-53. Army leaders must constantly have situational understanding of an operational environment, relevant
  actors, and dynamics. The staff’s analysis of the operational variables (political, military, economic, social,
  information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time, known collectively as PMESII-PT) contribute
  to understanding threats to civilians and ways to protect them.
  1-54. Units have to influence (and, in many cases, should be influenced by) a wide range of other actors.
  These actors may be loosely categorized as adversaries, vulnerable civilians, bystanders, negative actors,
  and positive actors. These categories may overlap and could change over time. For example, a particular
  ethnic group could be both a perpetrator and victim of violence against civilians. In many situations, the
  military operates in support of other actors whose efforts are more important for achieving protection of
  civilians.
  1-55. Additionally, effective Army leaders comprehend dynamics. These dynamics include evolving
  strategic guidance and mandates, the strategic logic of perpetrators, the impact of operations, changing
  vulnerabilities and threats that relate to protection of civilians, emerging opportunities to enhance
  protection of civilians, and changes in an operational environment or among the actors.
  1-56. A situation often features a complex and evolving relationship among the operational variables and
  other dynamics, requiring good intelligence, efficient information management based on the commander’s
  critical information requirements, and effective current assessments. Different actors concerned with
  protecting civilians may be reluctant to exchange information—when this exchange could compromise
  their neutrality, confidentiality, or operations security. However, it may be possible to develop formal and
  informal information-sharing mechanisms that improve Army and partner efforts to protect civilians.
  Pursue the Desired Outcomes
  1-57. Effective protection of civilians ultimately depends on achieving five outcomes (or end states)
  essential to human security:
  * Safe and secure environment.
  * Good governance.
  * Rule of law.
  * Social well-being.
  * Sustainable economy.
  1-58. These outcomes are directly related to the Army’s primary stability tasks. They are often related to
  peace building and development and usually must be pursued as parallel, mutually supporting efforts.
  Failure to achieve these end states can result in civilian harm or inflame grievances that result in conflict
  and place civilians at increased risk. Tensions and tradeoffs often exist between short-term goals and long-
  term outcomes, as well as a potential tension between protection of civilians and other objectives. Army
  units are primarily involved with establishing a safe and secure environment. In addition to improving
  protection of civilians, security is necessary to enable a political settlement, permit a normal life for
  civilians, and support the end states for which other partners are responsible. However, to maintain
  security, units must be flexible. In varying degrees, units may need to enable, monitor, or support the
  objectives of other partners. In extreme cases of last resort, Army units may have to assume temporary
  responsibility for other tasks. Army units, at a minimum, will have to be aware of the status of other
  partners’ efforts, even if these partners do not have primary responsibility and authority for those tasks.
  This awareness enables units to comprehend the big picture, do no harm, and avoid undermining
  nonmilitary tasks that may be critical to mission accomplishment.
  Design and Conduct Operations That Quickly Reduce Risks to Civilians
  1-59. During operations, Army units may be required to protect civilians, neutralize threats to civilians,
  and mitigate civilian casualties or other forms of civilian harm. While conducting operations, units must
  routinely and proactively incorporate protection of civilians’ considerations, as failure to do so can convey
  the message that violence against civilians is acceptable. Some operations, such as patrols, checkpoints,
  support for humanitarian assistance, or evacuation of noncombatants, may be conducted to enhance