Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide
Task 1 : Understand the Operational Environment
Task Description
The military force achieves an integrated appreciation of the operational environment which includes geographic , political , military / security , economic , social , informational , and infrastructural ( GPMESII ) factors . Commanders and staffs should understand key GPMESII considerations as they relate to PoC , including systems , nodes , challenges , opportunities , risks , and other issues .
Task Relevance to PoC
Other situational variables , such as the actors and dynamics , exist within the context of the operational environment . The GPMESII factors can affect civilian vulnerabilities and threats , include issues that drive conflict , and help formulate the solution sets necessary to achieve PoC . The military force should understand the elements , key nodes , and significance of these seven categories as they relate to PoC and the overall mission . This implies that PoC requires the military to understand many nonmilitary issues , as they will frequently be the most significant at any echelon , including at tactical levels .
How the Task is Accomplished
To gain a holistic understanding of the operational environment , leaders and staffs must deliberately and continually assess the GPMESII factors and avoid the natural tendency to focus exclusively on military and security issues .
GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS
a . Geographic factors including the boundaries of the area of operations ( AO ), terrain , water , climate , and natural disasters have a marked effect on civilian vulnerability and on the ability of military forces to provide protection . For example , civilians in remote and rugged areas can be isolated from responsive support and assistance in the event of natural disasters or violence directed against them . Such areas may also enable operations by spoilers who deliberately target civilians . Particularly if it has adequate aerial assets , the military force may easily be able to identify and target perpetrators in open terrain such as deserts . However , open terrain may also make it easier for perpetrators to attack civilians .
b . Water sources may be insufficient and consequently be an incentive for conflict between different groups , particularly if upstream groups over-consume or otherwise deny water to those downstream . Population centers are frequently located near major water sources , and water is critical for crop irrigation and for livestock . Lack of water is itself a threat to civilians . Additionally , water is potentially a cause of conflict between groups whose well-being is threatened by lack of access . Water pollution can be a more serious threat than violence , and areas with an abundance of water may be accompanied by other civilian threats such as pestilence , disease , and flooding .
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