364660259 MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS.edited.docx -...

MILITARY DECISION-MAKING PROCESS- MDM
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Requirement #1: Running Estimate
A mission entails solving a critical problem that comprises of a properly-organized
assault to achieve a defined goal. MDMP is designed for problem-solving and begins by
gathering information to identify the challenge.
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According to Clark, “a problem is well
structured when all necessary information is available, and a verifiable answer can be
determined.”
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Facts
Japanese forces have begun moving some of the war detainees (POWs) northwards away
from the camp after learning that American troops are approaching. About 200 Japanese soldiers
are at the base camp, while over 500 POWs have been assembled outside Cabanatuan near the
POW camp at Pangatian. 3 The Japanese troops must move at nightfall to evade the approaching
American militaries. POWs are likely to continue to be moved northwards if not murdered and,
thus, an urgent plan is needed to raid the camp to save the POWs. The POWs are injured and
weakened for lack of enough food and mistreatment. as Skelton explains, prisoners of war
received " a half canteen cup , usually eight ounces, or 160 calories , of thin rice
gruel ( lugao ) twice , and, on rare occasions , three times a day was the standard . ”
4
A significant
security measure by Japanese warriors is the use of tanks to travel on the road. There are about a
division (around 10,000) Japanese soldiers at Cabanatuan city and an additional 800 at Cabu,
who can access tanks and automobiles. 5 The planning and organization for the invasion must
begin right now and gather intelligence through the help of Alamo Scouts. The mission should be
1 Headquarters, Department of the Army, FM 6-0 Commander and Staff Organization and Operations ,
ebook Army Knowledge Online, 2014, 76.
2 Thomas G Clark, "Army Planning Doctrine: Identifying the Problem is the Heart of the Problem," Military
Review , 2007, 70.
3 Michael J. King, Rangers: Selected Combat Operations in World War II , ebook Fort Leavenworth, KS:
Combat Studies Institute, 1985, 55.
4 William Paul Skelton, American Ex-Prisoners of War: Independent Study Course [Washington, D.C.]:
Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 2002, 16.
5 King, Rangers: Selected Combat Operations in World War II , 58.

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accomplished within 24 hours. The rangers will travel to Guimba, which is 44 miles from
Calasiao, implying that a speed of 3 miles per hour, with a one-hour break after every three
hours, will take them 17 hours.
Assumptions
After learning that the U.S. air force is preparing the rangers and guerilla for an attack
against them, Japanese forces will be distracted. The Balincarin path will be safe from adversary
forces. If the soldiers move on foot, they will be at Balincarin within 24 hours, which is 75 miles
from Guimba. Upon striking, the Japanese troops in Cabu and Cabanatuan will start running
toward Pangatian.