How to Complete Center of Gravity (CG) Analysis
Based on the Eikmeier Method
Eikmeier, 2007
Start
Select the 'play' button to view the video
Next
Back
Pause to Consider:
What was the French objective in the Battle of France?
How was France capable of preventing Germany from meeting this objective?
What did Germany see as the most powerful element of French resistance?
How did Germany undermine the Allies' key strength?
Next
Back
Learning Objective
By the end of this course, you will be able to complete a tactical level Center of Gravity Analysis using the Eikmeier Method.
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Determine the objective
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Select the yellow circle to start the analysis
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
Determine the Objective
Examples
Retain key terrain
Delay advance of friendly forces
Expel friendly forces from Obj A
Disrupt friendly operations
What is the goal or purpose of the organization?
Specific to the unit being evaluated (e.g. battalion, regiment, etc.)
Objective: Battle of France
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
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)
Determine the "ways"
What actions will achieve the goal or purpose?
These are verbs; often tactical tasks.
One of these is the Critical Capability (CC).
CCs: Battle of France
Eikmeier, 2016
Photo by Joint Combat Center Iraq from DVIDS
Next
Back
Select the graphic that could be the Critical Capability (CC)
Enemy Objective: Delay advance of friendly forces
Disrupt
Attack by Fire
Interdict
Back
That's Correct!
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.
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
Determine the "means"
Vital conditions, resources, and means to execute the critical capability ("disrupt" in this scenario)
Examples
Fuel
Space
Nouns specific to the unit being evaluated
Time
These are Critical Requirements (CR)
C2 Structure
Eikmeier, 2016
CRs: Battle of France
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Fuel
Space
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Time
C2 Structure
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
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)?
CG: Battle of France
The CG will be a physical unit at the tactical level of war
Eikmeier, 2016
Next
Back
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
Back
Which of these CRs is the best Center of Gravity?
C2 Structure
Current Analysis
Iron Test of CG
Infantry Unit
Engineer Unit
That's Correct!
The infantry unit is the most likely CG
A physical unit The enemy cannot win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory Hub of all power and movement An effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Fuel
Space
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Time
C2 Structure
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
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?
Potential CVs
Obstacles
C2 Structure
Friendly forces must be able to exploit it, or else it's not a CV.
Observation
Exposed Flanks
Eikmeier, 2016
CV: Battle of France
Next
Back
Completed CG Analysis
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Fuel
Space
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Time
C2 Structure
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Next
Exposed Flanks
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
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
Start Over
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.pdfUnited States Marine Corps. (n.d.). Center of Gravity Analysis. Quantico, VA; Expeditionary Warfare School. United States Marine Corps. (2011). MCDP 1-0, Marine Corps Operations.
Interdict
Enemy-oriented tactical task
"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
Disrupt
Enemy-oriented tactical task
"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
Not Quite
C2 structure is not the best pick
A physical unit The enemy cannot win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory Hub of all power and movement An effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Critical Requirements:
Battle of France
To block a German advance, the Allies needed the French northern armies, BEF, Maginot Line, supply lines from the south, access to reinforcements, and allied air support
Image by Goran tek-en from Wikimedia Commons
Not Quite
The engineer unit is not the best pick
A physical unit The enemy cannot win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory Hub of all power and movement An effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Objective:
Battle of France
The Allied objective during the Battle of France was to block the German advance into France.
Image by Dymetrios from Wikimedia Commons
Center of Gravity
Battle of France
The Germans perceived the Allied CG to be the BEF and the French 7th, 1st, and 9th armies in Northern France. If these units were eliminated as a fighting force, France would have little hope of resisting.
Image by Barker No. 5 from Wikimedia Commons
Attack by Fire
Enemy-oriented tactical task
"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
The enemy CANNOT win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory The hub of all power and movement It is an effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Photo by CPT S. Kuhn from DVIDS
Critical Capabilities:
Battle of France
The French ability to disrupt a German invasion using a combination of the Maginot Line and crack armies in the north presented the greatest risk to Germany achieving its objective.
Image by Dymetrios from Wikimedia Commons
Richard Iron Test of CG
The enemy CANNOT win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory The hub of all power and movement It is an effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Photo by CPT S. Kuhn from DVIDS
Critical Vulnerability
Battle of France
The vulnerable flank, north of the Maginot Line and south of the 9th Army was vulnerable to the mobility and combat power of the Panzer Divisions. Exploiting this seam would cut off the northern armies from critical support necessary to sustain resistance.
Image by Big Serge from Big Serge Thought
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Transcript
How to Complete Center of Gravity (CG) Analysis
Based on the Eikmeier Method
Eikmeier, 2007
Start
Select the 'play' button to view the video
Next
Back
Pause to Consider:
What was the French objective in the Battle of France?
How was France capable of preventing Germany from meeting this objective?
What did Germany see as the most powerful element of French resistance?
How did Germany undermine the Allies' key strength?
Next
Back
Learning Objective
By the end of this course, you will be able to complete a tactical level Center of Gravity Analysis using the Eikmeier Method.
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Determine the objective
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Select the yellow circle to start the analysis
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
Determine the Objective
Examples
Retain key terrain
Delay advance of friendly forces
Expel friendly forces from Obj A
Disrupt friendly operations
What is the goal or purpose of the organization?
Specific to the unit being evaluated (e.g. battalion, regiment, etc.)
Objective: Battle of France
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
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)
Determine the "ways"
What actions will achieve the goal or purpose?
These are verbs; often tactical tasks.
One of these is the Critical Capability (CC).
CCs: Battle of France
Eikmeier, 2016
Photo by Joint Combat Center Iraq from DVIDS
Next
Back
Select the graphic that could be the Critical Capability (CC)
Enemy Objective: Delay advance of friendly forces
Disrupt
Attack by Fire
Interdict
Back
That's Correct!
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.
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
Determine the "means"
Vital conditions, resources, and means to execute the critical capability ("disrupt" in this scenario)
Examples
Fuel
Space
Nouns specific to the unit being evaluated
Time
These are Critical Requirements (CR)
C2 Structure
Eikmeier, 2016
CRs: Battle of France
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Fuel
Space
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Time
C2 Structure
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
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)?
CG: Battle of France
The CG will be a physical unit at the tactical level of war
Eikmeier, 2016
Next
Back
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
Back
Which of these CRs is the best Center of Gravity?
C2 Structure
Current Analysis
Iron Test of CG
Infantry Unit
Engineer Unit
That's Correct!
The infantry unit is the most likely CG
A physical unit The enemy cannot win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory Hub of all power and movement An effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Next
Back
CG Analysis
At the Tactical Level of War
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Fuel
Space
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Time
C2 Structure
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
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?
Potential CVs
Obstacles
C2 Structure
Friendly forces must be able to exploit it, or else it's not a CV.
Observation
Exposed Flanks
Eikmeier, 2016
CV: Battle of France
Next
Back
Completed CG Analysis
Delay advance of friendly forces
Determine the objective
Disrupt
Determine the "ways" (CCs)
Fuel
Space
Determine the "means" (CRs)
Time
C2 Structure
Identify the Center of Gravity (CG)
Next
Exposed Flanks
Identify the Critical Vulnerability (CV)
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
Next
Knowledge Check
Back
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
Start Over
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.pdfUnited States Marine Corps. (n.d.). Center of Gravity Analysis. Quantico, VA; Expeditionary Warfare School. United States Marine Corps. (2011). MCDP 1-0, Marine Corps Operations.
Interdict
Enemy-oriented tactical task
"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
Disrupt
Enemy-oriented tactical task
"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
Not Quite
C2 structure is not the best pick
A physical unit The enemy cannot win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory Hub of all power and movement An effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Critical Requirements:
Battle of France
To block a German advance, the Allies needed the French northern armies, BEF, Maginot Line, supply lines from the south, access to reinforcements, and allied air support
Image by Goran tek-en from Wikimedia Commons
Not Quite
The engineer unit is not the best pick
A physical unit The enemy cannot win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory Hub of all power and movement An effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Objective:
Battle of France
The Allied objective during the Battle of France was to block the German advance into France.
Image by Dymetrios from Wikimedia Commons
Center of Gravity
Battle of France
The Germans perceived the Allied CG to be the BEF and the French 7th, 1st, and 9th armies in Northern France. If these units were eliminated as a fighting force, France would have little hope of resisting.
Image by Barker No. 5 from Wikimedia Commons
Attack by Fire
Enemy-oriented tactical task
"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
The enemy CANNOT win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory The hub of all power and movement It is an effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Photo by CPT S. Kuhn from DVIDS
Critical Capabilities:
Battle of France
The French ability to disrupt a German invasion using a combination of the Maginot Line and crack armies in the north presented the greatest risk to Germany achieving its objective.
Image by Dymetrios from Wikimedia Commons
Richard Iron Test of CG
The enemy CANNOT win without it A dominant characteristic Everything depends on it for victory The hub of all power and movement It is an effective target for a blow against it Offers resistance Strikes effective or heavy blows
Photo by CPT S. Kuhn from DVIDS
Critical Vulnerability
Battle of France
The vulnerable flank, north of the Maginot Line and south of the 9th Army was vulnerable to the mobility and combat power of the Panzer Divisions. Exploiting this seam would cut off the northern armies from critical support necessary to sustain resistance.
Image by Big Serge from Big Serge Thought