How to complete CG Analysis

How to Complete Center of Gravity (CG) Analysis

Based on the Eikmeier Method

Eikmeier, 2007

Start

Why?

“One of the most important tasks... during planning is identifying and analyzing friendly and adversary Centers of Gravity [CG].”

JP 5-0 Joint Planning, 2017 p. IV-23

Next

Your operational plan will be centered on what you learn about the enemy system during this process

1

2

3

4

5

Select the yellow circle to start the analysis

Determine the objective

Determine the "ways" (CCs)

Determine the "means" (CRs)

Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)

Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

CG Analysis

At the Tactical Level of War

Determine the Objective

What is the goal or purpose of the organization?

Specific to the unit being evaluated (e.g. battalion, regiment, etc.)

Next

1

Examples

Retain key terrain

Delay advance of friendly forces

Expel friendly forces from Obj A

Disrupt friendly operations

1

2

3

4

5

Delay advance of friendly forces

Determine the objective

Determine the "ways" (CCs)

Determine the "means" (CRs)

Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)

Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

CG Analysis

At the Tactical Level of War

Determine the "ways"

What actions will achieve the goal or purpose?

These are verbs; often tactical tasks.

2

Next

One of these is the Critical Capability (CC).

Eikmeier, 2016

Select the graphic that could be the Critical Capability (CC)

Attack by Fire

Interdict

Disrupt

That's Correct!

Next

Every situation is unique. Depending on the specifics, any of these could be the CC (attack by fire, interdict, or disrupt)

For our purposes, we will use "disrupt" for the analysis.

1

2

3

4

5

Determine the objective

Determine the "ways" (CCs)

Determine the "means" (CRs)

Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)

Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

Delay advance of friendly forces

Disrupt

CG Analysis

At the Tactical Level of War

Determine the "means"

Vital conditions, resources, and means to execute the critical capability (disrupt in this scenario)

Nouns specific to the unit being evaluated

Next

3

Examples

These are Critical Requirements (CR)

Eikmeier, 2016

Time

Fuel

C2 Structure

Space

Infantry

Motor Transportation

Artillery

Communications

Air Defense Radar

Engineers

CG Analysis

1

2

3

4

5

Determine the objective

Determine the "ways" (CCs)

Determine the "means" (CRs)

Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)

Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

At the Tactical Level of War

Delay advance of friendly forces

Disrupt

Time

Fuel

C2 Structure

Space

Infantry

Motor Transportation

Artillery

Communications

Air Defense Radar

Engineers

ID the Center of Gravity (CG)

Which CR inherently possesses the ability to perform the CC (disrupt) in pursuit of the objective (delay advance of friendly troops)?

Next

4

Eikmeier, 2016

The CG will be a physical unit at the tactical level of war

Richard Iron Test of CG

How do I know if I picked the right CG? Select the icon on the left to learn about the Richard Iron Test of CG

Next

Which CR is the Center of Gravity?

Infantry Unit

Engineer Unit

C2 Structure

Iron Test of CG

That's Correct!

Next

The infantry unit is the most likely CG

A physical unitThe enemy cannot win without itA dominant characteristicEverything depends on it for victoryHub of all power and movementAn effective target for a blow against itOffers resistanceStrikes effective or heavy blows

CG Analysis

1

2

3

4

5

Determine the objective

Determine the "ways" (CCs)

Determine the "means" (CRs)

Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)

Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

At the Tactical Level of War

Delay advance of friendly forces

Disrupt

Time

Fuel

C2 Structure

Space

Infantry

Motor Transportation

Artillery

Communications

Air Defense Radar

Engineers

Infantry

ID the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

What CRs, or components of CRs, that if taken away, will undermine the CG's ability to accomplish the objective?

Friendly forces must be able to exploit it, or else it's not a CV.

Next

5

Potential CVs

Situation-dependent based on the friendly capabilities, terrain, environment, time, etc.

Eikmeier, 2016

Exposed Flanks

C2 Structure

Observation

Munitions

Obstacles

Artillery

Air Defense Radar

Engineers

Reconnaissance

Completed CG Analysis

2

3

4

Determine the objective

Determine the "ways" (CCs)

Determine the "means" (CRs)

1

Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)

Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)

Delay advance of friendly forces

Disrupt

5

Time

Fuel

C2 Structure

Space

Exposed Flanks

Next

Infantry

Motor Transportation

Artillery

Communications

Air Defense Radar

Engineers

Infantry

Artillery

Air Defense Radar

Knowledge Check

Next

Knowledge Check

Next

Knowledge Check

Next

Knowledge Check

Next

Knowledge Check

Next

Summary

1. Objective. What is the enemy trying to accomplish?2. Critical Capabilities. How will they achieve the objective?3. Critical Requirements. What means do they need to execute their critical capability?4. Center of Gravity. What unit MUST the enemy have to execute the CC and achieve their objective?5. Critical Vulnerability. What CR, or aspect thereof, can we exploit to undermine the CG ?

References

References

Eikmeier, D. C. (2016). Let’s fix or kill the center of gravity concept. Joint Force Quarterly, 83(4), 109-115.Eikmeier, D. C. (2017). The Center of Gravity Still Relevant After All These Years?. Military review, 3.Joint Chiefs of Staff. (2017). Joint Planning (JP 5-0). https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/prototype/assets/joint-pub-jpub-5-0-joint-planning.pdfUSMC. (n.d.). Center of Gravity Analysis. Quantico, VA; Expeditionary Warfare School.

Enemy-oriented tactical task

Interdict

"An action to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy’s surface military potential before it can be used effectively against friendly forces."MCDP 1-0 p. C-3

Enemy-oriented tactical task

Disrupt

"To integrate fires and obstacles to break apart an enemy’s formation and tempo, interrupt his timetable, or cause premature commitment or the piecemealing of his forces."MCDP 1-0 p. C-2

C2 structure is not the best pick

Not Quite

A physical unitThe enemy cannot win without itA dominant characteristicEverything depends on it for victoryHub of all power and movementAn effective target for a blow against itOffers resistanceStrikes effective or heavy blows

The engineer unit is not the best pick

Not Quite

A physical unitThe enemy cannot win without itA dominant characteristicEverything depends on it for victoryHub of all power and movementAn effective target for a blow against itOffers resistanceStrikes effective or heavy blows

Enemy-oriented tactical task

Attack by Fire

"Fires (direct and indirect) destroy the enemy from a distance, normally used when the mission does not require or support occupation of the objective."MCDP 1-0 p. C-1

Richard Iron Test of CG

Photo by CPT S. Kuhn from DVIDS

The enemy CANNOT win without itA dominant characteristicEverything depends on it for victoryThe hub of all power and movementIt is an effective target for a blow against itOffers resistanceStrikes effective or heavy blows

Richard Iron Test of CG

Photo by CPT S. Kuhn from DVIDS

The enemy CANNOT win without itA dominant characteristicEverything depends on it for victoryThe hub of all power and movementIt is an effective target for a blow against itOffers resistanceStrikes effective or heavy blows