SUSTAINMENT: Anticipation & Continuity

Yesterday we opened our series on Sustainment with a review of the elements and principles of sustainment. Today we get in depth on two of the principles, using the mnemonic “A CRISIS Exists.” We’ll take the definitions out of order from the doctrine to help you recall them better later.

As always, italics added for our emphasis, and […] indicates we cut out stuff we thought was fluff. And, as always: you’re smarter reading the publication yourself to be exactly sure

Big Chunks

Anticipation

Continuity

The major takeaways:

• Anticipation is the ability to foresee operational requirements and initiate necessary actions

  • Based on experience, knowledge, education, intel and intuition.

• Continuity is the uninterrupted provision of sustainment across all levels of war.

  • Achieved through integrated network that links sustainment to operations.

Diving deep in the doctrinal details:

ANTICIPATION

1-8. Anticipation is the ability to foresee operational requirements and initiate necessary actions that most appropriately satisfy a response without waiting for operations orders or fragmentary orders. It is shaped by professional judgment resulting from experience, knowledge, education, intelligence, and intuition. Commanders and staffs must understand and visualize future operations and identify appropriate or required support. They must then start the process of acquiring the resources and capabilities that best support the operation. Anticipation is facilitated by automation systems that provide the common operational picture upon which judgments and decisions are based. Commanders integrate risk management into the operations process to identify threats, assess those threats, and emplace controls to mitigate the risk of gaps in support. Anticipation is also a principle of personnel services.

CONTINUITY

1-13. Continuity is the uninterrupted provision of sustainment across all levels of war. Continuity is achieved through a system of integrated and focused networks linking sustainment to operations. Continuity is achieved through joint interdependence; linked sustainment organizations; a strategic to tactical level distribution system, and integrated information systems. Continuity assures confidence in sustainment allowing commanders freedom of action, operational reach, and endurance.

Want to anticipate what the doctrine tells you? Take A Doctrine Deep Dive into sustainment with a read of ADP 4-0 here.