The commander’s intent is the goal that is to be achieved through the execution of the mission. In other words, the commander’s intent specifies the end state of the battleground in terms of the commander’s own forces, the enemy forces, and the territory. The commander’s intent can also clarify the purpose of the operation and the enemy’s intentions and vulnerabilities. The aim of formulating a clear commander’s intent prior to the mission is to allow for room for maneuver if subordinate leaders encounter obstacles preventing them from following the initial plan. Thus, subordinate leaders’ initiative is highly encouraged since it ensures that the commander’s intent is likely to be fulfilled even when the circumstances are different from expected.
An example of the commander’s intent can be identified in the article “US Marines in Grenada 1983” by Lieutenant Colonel Spector. President Ronald Reagan, also serving as the Commander-in-Chief, announced an operation that was intended to “restore order and democracy” and “safeguard the lives of approximately 1,000 American citizens” on the island of Grenada (Spector, 1987, p. 1). Hence, the commander’s intent contained information about the purpose of the mission and the desired end state of the enemy force and the terrain. The purpose was to evacuate American citizens (mainly medical students) from Grenada and restore the democratic order violated by the Grenadian People’s Revolutionary Army (PRA). Due to the second purpose, the commander’s intent also implied that the enemy force – PRA – should be defeated with the least possible collateral damage.
Subordinate leaders’ following the commander’s intent led to the success of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. The US and foreign students were evacuated from Grenada, and the order on the island was restored. The commander’s intent also encouraged the US forces to choose the attack methods that would avoid inflicting significant collateral damage (Spector, 1987). Furthermore, the desired results were achieved with relatively few victims among the US forces, the PRA, and civilians.
Reference
Spector, R. H. (1987). U.S. marines in Grenada 1983. History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.