OVERVIEW

This module builds on the understanding gained on the NATO Advance StratCom Foundation module and teaches students how to conceive, plan, coordinate, and synchronise information activities to deliver desired cognitive effects as part of the Operations Planning, Joint Effects, and Joint Targeting processes. While the focus is on the strategic, operational and upper tactical levels, it is equally applicable to all levels of the NATO Command and Force Structure and their national equivalents down to divisional level.

AIM

The aim of the NATO Advanced Information Activities Planners Module is to educate, train and certify personnel assigned to planning roles within NATO J9 CIMIC, J10 Strategic Communications, and their national equivalents, with a common understanding and approach to the conception, planning, coordination, and synchronisation of information activities as part of the Operations Planning, Joint Effects, and Joint Targeting Processes. The module will prepare students for assignment to, or liaison with, NATO military headquarters in accordance with ASCP-01: NATO StratCom Training Standards, Annex F, and the NATO StratCom Training Requirements Assessment Review dated January 2023.

TARGET AUDIENCE

The primary training audience for this module are individuals of OF4 rank and below – or civilian equivalents – assigned to positions within NATO J5, J3 Joint Effects, J3 Targeting, J9 CIMIC, and J10 Strategic Communications.  It is also relevant to those personnel assigned to J2 and J7 who may be required to liaise with or contribute to the outputs of the Information Activities Working Group.

This module is also open to senior personnel assigned to planning roles within Defence and Security institutions of NATO Allies and Partner nations.

Students must have completed a NATO Advanced StratCom Foundation module or NATO Advanced Joint Staff StratCom module run by the StratCom Academy or another NATO ETF prior to attending this module.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

a.    Interpret Strategic Communications Direction and Guidance from the highest level.
b.    Develop recommendations for information activities to deliver cognitive effects in support of
political and military aims and objectives.
c.     Integrate approved Information Activities into the Operations Planning, Joint Effects, and Joint Targeting
processes.

STRUCTURE

This is a 10-day residential module consisting of interactive lectures, case studies, moderated panel discussions, and practical individual and syndicate assignments.  The emphasis is on the education and training of students to contribute to the Information Activities Working Group as part of the Operations Planning, Joint Effects, and Joint Targeting Processes; and enable multinational interoperability.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:

a.     Interpret StratCom direction and guidance from the highest level.
b.     Interpret and apply Information Environment Assessment to planning information activities.
c.     Develop and analyse narratives.
d.     Explain the main characteristics of NATO Crisis Management and integrate StratCom
considerations.
e.    Explain the main characteristics of NATO Strategic Operations Planning Process and
integrate StratCom considerations.
f.      Explain the main characteristics of NATO Operations Planning Process and integrate
StratCom considerations.
g.     Explain NATO StratCom related functions and capabilities and their utility across the
continuum of competition.
h.     Explain utility of other military capabilities and activities as information activities across the continuum of
competition.
i.      Develop StratCom Frameworks and StratCom Implementation Guidance.
j.      Develop Integrated Communications Plan and Annex SS to an OPLAN.
k.     Plan and integrate Strategic Communications activities in BACO.
l.      Plan and integrate Strategic Communications activities in crisis.
m.   Plan and integrate Strategic Communications activities in conflict (operations).
n.     Contribute to the planning and targeting battle rythms.
o.     Explain the concept of joint effects based on communications objectives.
p.     Contribute to target analysis.
q.     Advise on the use of lethal and non-lethal capabilities to deliver cognitive effects.

PASS/FAIL CRITERIA

Attendance and participation in interactive lectures and syndicate work.

NATO CERTIFICATION REMARKS

The module is registered within the NATO Allied Command Transformation e-ITEP training catalogue under course code STC-ST-36922. It was developed based on the CCD2 developed during the ADVANCED NATO StratCom Planners Course TNA workshop. It meets the training requirements for J10 StratCom Planning Specialists set out in ASCP-1: NATO StratCom Training Standards, Annex F Para 4f, and the StratCom TRA Review dated January 2023.

COURSE DATES

Portuguese Airforce Academy, Lisbon, Portugal

SP24/1    13-24 May
SP24/2    2-12 September