The Process for Determining Military Tasks in Humanitarian Assistance Operations.

Abstract : Between 1994 and 1996, CNA conducted a study to determine ways in which the Marine Corps could improve its ability to conduct humanitarian assistance operations (HAOs). The study identified requirements for HAOs and alternative ways to meet those requirements. CNA found that some HAO tasks match warfighting tasks, such as operating a reverse osmosis water purification unit. Many HAO tasks are similar to warfighting tasks, but by have a different focus. For example, in an HAO, logistics may be the primary mission rather than a support function for the primary mission of warfighting. In addition, some tasks in HAOs are completely different warfighting tasks, such as using the military to support civilian organizations rather than as the focus of an operation. In this analysis, we address the following question: How can the military adapt to the HAO environment so that appropriate military tasks can be determined? Our analysis focuses on how to derive tasks, particularly implied tasks, in HAOs. We define implied tasks as those tasks that have not been specified to accomplish or not, but that need to be conducted to accomplish the mission.