Army Doctrine Publication ADP 5-0 (FM 5-0) The Operations Process May 2012

Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 5-0, The Operations Process, constitutes the Army’s view on planning, preparing, executing, and assessing operations. (See figure 1 on page iv.) It accounts for the complex, ever-changing, and uncertain nature of operations and recognizes that a military operation is foremost a human undertaking. As such, this publication emphasizes the philosophy of mission command to include the central role of commanders (supported by their staffs) in driving the operations process. To comprehend the doctrine contained in ADP 5-0, readers must first understand the foundations of unified land operations described in ADP 3-0, Unified Land Operations. Readers must also fully understand the principles of mission command described in ADP 6-0, Mission Command. For a detailed explanation of the operations process, readers should refer to Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 5-0, The Operations Process. The principal audience for ADP 5-0 includes Army commanders, leaders, and unit staffs (officers, noncommissioned officers, and Soldiers). Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as a joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations as well as joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this manual. Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure their decisions and actions comply with applicable U.S., international, and, in some cases, host nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See Field Manual [FM] 27-10.) ADP 5-0 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the glossary and the text. Terms for which ADP 5-0 is the proponent publication (the authority) are marked with an asterisk (*) in the glossary. Definitions for which ADP 5-0 is the proponent publication are boldfaced in the text. These terms and their definitions will be in the next revision of FM 1-02. For other definitions shown in the text, the term is italicized and the number of the proponent publication follows the definition. ADP 5-0 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated. The proponent of ADP 5-0 is the United States Army Combined Arms Center. The preparing agency is the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, United States Army Combined Arms Center.