ADP 6-0 Mission Command (Situational Questions)

What is mission command?

The Army’s approach to command that empowers subordinates with intent, trust, and disciplined initiative.

What are the seven principles of mission command?

Competence, mutual trust, shared understanding, commander’s intent, mission orders, disciplined initiative, and risk acceptance.

A platoon leader deviates from orders to exploits enemy weakness. Is this mission command?

Yes, if the action supports the command’s intent and adheres to disciplined initiative.

How does mission command enhance agility?

By enabling leaders at all levels to respond to changes without waiting for orders.

What is the commander’s intent?

A clear expression of purpose and desired end state that guides subordinate actions.

What is discipline initiative?

Taking action when unforeseen opportunities or threats arise, within the boundaries of the commander’s intent

A soldier asks for very detailed orders. How can a leader apply mission command here?

Coach the soldier to understand the intent, make decisions, and build confidence in judgment.

Why is trust critical to mission command?

Trust empowers subordinate leaders to act independently while maintaining unit of effort.

What does it mean to accept prudent risk?

Leaders weigh potential gains vs. potential losses and act when benefits justify the risk

During a mission, comms fail. What concepts helps junior leaders act effectively?

Shared understanding allows them to operate condfidently even without direct guidance.

What is the difference between mission orders and detailed orders?

Mission orders specify intent and objectives; detailed orders dictate specific actions.

How does a unit build shared understanding?

Through rehearsals, collaboration, effective communication, and leader presence

What role does competence play in mission command?

It builds trust and ensure leaders at all levels can execute tasks independently

A squad leader hesitates to act without direct approval. What should be reinforced?

The value of initiative and trust in subordinate decision making under mission command

How does mission command support large-scale operations?

It allows distributed elements to act decisively while synchronized overall objectives.