REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN MILITARY OPERATIONS
Reflective Essay on Operational Environment in Military Operations
The two most important variables from the PMESSII-PT construct are physical environment and infrastructure. It is crucial to balance these two operational variables in conduction unified land operations or any other form of military operations for that matter. The military, like any other organization, should push for balance between the environment and building various military infrastructures. The physical environment needs to stay healthy despite implementation of infrastructure plans.
These two variables directly or indirectly affect all the other variables in the PMESSI-PT construct as well as the operational environment through which the Commander bases his major decisions. Socially, the community living near or within the operational environment needs to continue living their lives; thus, infrastructure efforts must not affect their way of living and must not cause scarcity of food, water, and other basic necessities that the community needs. Economically, military planners have been influenced by globalization and the rise of modern information technologies, which may affect their decision making.
Ambitious infrastructure developments using new technological and innovative means may critically affect the physical environment; thus, destroying balance. In relation to this, there may arise political turmoil because of constant misuse of power. Moreover, competition entices a race with time and the military variable becomes directly affected. The physical environment and infrastructure variables affect all the other operational variables through which the military planners base their decisions. If they fail to recognize the importance of balancing these two variables in their operations, there will likely be violence arising from conflicts of interest. People hunger for military power and so their decision making may be clouded by the will to take control of or take over the operational environment.
Reflection
If I am deployed to an operational environment, I will examine the conditions of the physical environment first and document it so I can track whatever changes are made in the course of this military operation. Situations within this career field may become unpredictable at times, so there is a need for me to look at files and look back to the original position, situation, and condition of the physical environment. This should include the community and the natural resources. Military operations may prove to be detrimental to the environment and the natural resources, but with the right knowledge and application of the PMESSI-PT construct, I should be able to maintain balance.
However, some of the strong variables that can affect this balance of the environment include the political and economic. Because of these two variables, conflicts of interest may arise from military planners, leaders, and commanders as well as the political leaders. There will likely be a competition in order to gain control or power. The hunger to become an indispensable military unit can cause disruption of peace, which will affect the community’s way of living.
Even a slight military presence can incite fear among communities, especially if there are no notifications or any form of explanation why, in the first place, the military is within or near the community. Therefore, before the military operations take place, there is a need to inform the communities and make them understand why the military needs to be there. This way, there will be balance as the rights and welfare of the community and surrounding environments are upheld and respected.
Bibliography
Kaune, Patrick N., Col. Analysis of US Army Preparation for Megacity Operations. New
York: Civilian Research Project, April 2016. https://info.publicintelligence.net/USArmyMegacityPreparations.pdf
