Basic Military Operations 2026-II

In this module, students engage with theories, concepts, doctrines, military history, and the planning and conduct of military operations relevant to the operational level of warfare. Central to the module is the study of the operating environment (OE), command and control (C2), and joint operations, with particular emphasis on multi-domain operations and the integration of effects within and across domains. 

The module is framed by the future battlefield, the contemporary operating environment, and the planning and execution of joint military operations. To support this, national and NATO operational planning methodologies and leadership doctrines are applied. The module also provides students with opportunities to reflect upon, discuss, and critically relate to their own methods and professional practice.

Requirements

Students must have a BA/professional BA degree, completed officer training at an equivalent level, or another equivalent qualification. Students enrolled in the MA in Military Studies programme must have completed the Introduction Module prior to this module.

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge

• Must be able to understand and reflect on roles, responsibilities, relationships, and processes related to the planning and conduct of military operations, including an understanding of the levels of warfare.
• Must possess specialized knowledge of operational art and joint operations at the operational level, including the practical application of the planning and conduct of joint operations.
• Must be able to understand and reflect on the unique challenges and threats within the contemporary operating environment faced by operational commanders and staffs, and the implications of these for the planning and conduct of joint operations.
• Must be able to understand and reflect on the role of the laws of armed conflict as a framing factor in the planning and execution of military operations.
• Must be able to understand and reflect on the implications of changes in the character of war for present and future operations, including the impact of technology on the character of war and the development of future operational concepts.
• Must be able to understand and reflect on the frameworks and conditions governing the command, coordination, and organization of staffs conducting tasks in complex operating environments.
• Must be able to understand and reflect on key concepts of critical thinking and creativity in relation to operational-level planning processes. 

Skills

• Must, through critical and creative thinking, be able to assess the significance of the strategic context, the operating environment, the law of armed conflict, NATO’s operational framework, and through scientific methods develop new analytical and solution models.
• Must, as part of a Joint Staff, be able to contribute to the preparation of operational-level plans and recommendations using NATO operational-level planning methodologies.
• Must, as part of a Joint Staff, be able to contribute to supporting and advising the Joint Force Commander in the planning and conduct of joint operations.
• Must be able to discuss and communicate professional issues, solutions, and recommendations clearly to military and civilian superiors, civilian partners, and peers. 

Competencies

• Must be able to manage and further develop methods for analyzing actors within the operating environment and develop new and/or adapted solutions appropriate to the given context.
• Must be able to discuss solutions to complex and hard-to-define strategic and operational issues and apply critical and creative thinking to identify practical solutions. Discussions and proposed solutions must be grounded in research-based theories, concepts, doctrines, methods, and military history, while also taking relevant international laws into consideration.
• Must be able to contribute professionally on an individual basis and also to organize and command an operational-level planning group during the planning, execution, and assessment of complex joint operations, including consideration of legal implications.
• Must take personal responsibility for their own professional development in order to further develop their operational competencies and deepen their specialization within the operational field of expertise. 

Learning activities and teaching methods

The module is conducted as blended learning with a total of 31 days of physical attendance distributed across several periods, combined with distance-learning periods.

In order to participate in this module, students must document successful completion of the Operations Introduction Module (OPIM). The module is divided into three parts. First, students participate in a two-week planning course (Planning Basic). Second, students attend three presence modules within Joint Warfare Studies covering the operating environment (OE), command and control (C2), and joint operations. Short writing and presentation assignments are completed during the OE and C2 modules. This part of the course concludes with an individual written examination following the joint operations module. The third and final part consists of a two-week Capstone Exercise, during which students participate in wargaming and other activities designed to synthesize learning from the entire module. During the final days of the Capstone Exercise, students complete a cumulative oral group examination. Asynchronous distance-learning periods take place between the four parts of the course.

Throughout the module, students are expected to apply knowledge and experience from their own professional practice, competencies acquired in previous modules, and the research-based literature in order to critically reflect upon the doctrine-based planning models applied during the module. In this context, students are expected to engage in critical reflection both in and on practice, individually and through facilitated discussions.

The language of the course is English.

Key dates and times

All events and activities are mandatory.

Examination

The module is tested through two independent examinations weighted equally. No testing takes place after Part 1 (Planning Basic); however, students who successfully complete this part will receive the relevant NATO qualification. The first examination is a written examination conducted at the end of Part 2 (Joint Warfare Studies). The second examination is an oral group examination conducted at the end of Part 3 (Capstone Exercise).

In addition, two mandatory assessment activities are included in the module and must be completed in order to continue participation. The first activity takes place during the Operating Environment component of Joint Warfare Studies, and the second during the C2 component. Should a student fail to complete either activity, the course director may assign a replacement activity to demonstrate satisfactory mastery of the material.

If the written examination is not passed in the first attempt, the student may continue to the subsequent module and will be re-examined in accordance with current regulations until the examination is either passed or failed. Both examinations must be passed in order to pass the overall Operations module.

Written exam

• Examination format: 8-hour written examination (on-site)
• Assessment: Graded according to the 7-point grading scale
• Language of examination: English
• Censorship: Internal

Oral exam

• Examination format: Oral group examination with individual grading
• Assessment: Graded according to the 7-point grading scale
• Language of examination: English
• Censorship: External

Attendance policy

According to the “MMS studieordning”, physical attendance at all presence modules is mandatory.

• If you are unable to attend one day of any module, please inform the course directors and your syndicate leader.
• If you are unable to attend more than one day of any module, please contact the MMS Office directly for guidance in accordance with the above policy.
• Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the MMS Office.