What is the first step in the Military Decision Making Process?

• A. Receipt of Mission
• B. Mission Analysis
• C. COA Development
• D. COA Analysis

Answer: (A)

The first step is Receipt of Mission. This moment kicks off planning by formally receiving the mission from higher headquarters and pulling together the initial guidance, intent, specified tasks, constraints, and any knowns and unknowns. It sets the boundaries and framing for everything that follows, ensuring the staff starts with a clear starting point and a shared understanding of what must be accomplished. After this, Mission Analysis begins to understand the problem in depth, and only then are Courses of Action developed, analyzed, and compared. The other steps come later because you need a solid understanding of the mission and its constraints before generating and evaluating possible solutions.