How to Conduct a METT-TC Analysis

METT-TC is not a checklist — it is a structured thinking framework that forces the commander and staff to analyze every factor that shapes the operation before committing to a course of action. Used rigorously, it surfaces assumptions, exposes gaps, and generates the intelligence requirements that drive the ISR plan.

When to Conduct METT-TC Analysis

METT-TC analysis occurs during Step 2: Mission Analysis of the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP), immediately after receipt of the higher headquarters order or task. The output drives:

• Restated mission statement
• Commander's initial guidance
• CCIR (Commander's Critical Information Requirements)
• Initial reconnaissance tasks

Step 1: Mission (M)

Purpose: Define what the unit must accomplish, for whom, by when, and why.

Actions:

1. Read the higher HQ order paragraph by paragraph.
2. Extract the specified tasks (tasks explicitly ordered).
3. Identify implied tasks (tasks not stated but required to accomplish specified tasks).
4. Identify essential tasks (the subset that, if not done, constitutes mission failure).
5. Identify constraints — things you must do (e.g., "maintain a reserve of one platoon") or must not do (e.g., "do not cross Phase Line RED without authorization").
6. Draft the restated mission in 5-W format: Who, What (task), When, Where, Why (purpose).

Product:

"2nd Platoon, Alpha Company conducts a deliberate attack on OBJ HAMMER NLT 041800L MAY to destroy the enemy weapons cache and deny further logistical support to insurgent networks in the eastern AO."

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Step 2: Enemy (E)

Purpose: Determine enemy composition, disposition, capability, and most likely / most dangerous courses of action.

Actions:

1. Assess enemy composition: unit size, type (infantry, armor, irregular), estimated strength.
2. Map disposition: known or templated positions, observation posts, patrol routes.
3. Analyze capabilities: direct fire systems, indirect fire, air defense, obstacle emplacement, EW/IED.
4. Identify enemy vulnerabilities: logistics dependency, communication limitations, terrain constraints.
5. Develop the Enemy Most Likely COA (EMLCOA) — what the enemy will most probably do.
6. Develop the Enemy Most Dangerous COA (EMDCOA) — what the enemy could do that would be hardest for you to counter.

Key Intelligence Questions (PIR):

• Where is the enemy's security element?
• What early warning capability does the enemy have?
• What are the enemy's likely withdrawal routes?
• Are there IEDs along the approach corridor?

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Step 3: Terrain and Weather (T)

Purpose: Identify how the physical environment advantages or disadvantages both sides.

Terrain: Use OAKOC

Factor	Questions to Answer
O — Observation and fields of fire	Where can the enemy observe your movement? Where can you observe the objective? Where are dead spaces?
A — Avenues of approach	What are the primary/alternate approach routes? What is the key terrain that dominates them?
K — Key terrain	What terrain, if controlled, gives decisive advantage? Hills, bridges, intersections, buildings?
O — Obstacles	What natural/man-made obstacles restrict movement? Rivers, cliffs, urban density, wire, mines?
C — Cover and concealment	Where does terrain provide protection from fire (cover) or from observation (concealment)?

Weather Analysis:

Factor	Mission Impact
Illumination	NVG utility, IR strobe visibility, optical sight effectiveness
Precipitation	Ground trafficability (mobility), noise discipline, aviation minimums
Wind	Smoke/CS employment, mortar trajectory correction, NBC drift
Temperature	Cold injuries, heat casualties, battery life, vehicle starting
Visibility	Engagement ranges, aviation VFR/IFR, target acquisition

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Step 4: Troops and Support Available (T)

Purpose: Inventory your combat power — organic, attached, and supporting — and identify limiting factors.

Actions:

1. Task-organize: List all organic elements and any attachments (engineer platoon, sniper team, JTAC, FSO).
2. Assess readiness: Equipment status (PMCS), personnel fill (% of authorized strength), training level on mission-specific tasks.
3. Identify OPCON / TACON relationships: Know who you can task and who you cannot.
4. Identify supporting assets: What artillery fires, CAS, MEDEVAC, logistics, SIGINT are available and on what timeline?
5. Calculate combat power ratios: Apply the 3:1 attacker-to-defender ratio as a planning baseline (adjust for surprise, terrain, and quality).

Limiting Factors to Document:

• Equipment deadline rates (non-mission-capable vehicles)
• Ammunition on hand vs. required for the operation (ACE status)
• Personnel shortfalls (crew requirements not met)
• Training gaps specific to this mission (e.g., breach tasks, CQB, language)

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Step 5: Time Available (T)

Purpose: Build a timeline that works backward from H-Hour and verify feasibility.

Reverse Planning Steps:

1. H-Hour: The moment of initiation on the objective.
2. SP (Start Point) time: H minus movement time.
3. PCI (Pre-Combat Inspection): SP minus 1–2 hours.
4. PCCs (Pre-Combat Checks): PCI minus time required.
5. Rehearsal: PCI minus rehearsal time (typically 1–2 hours for platoon, 2–4 for company).
6. OPORD issue: NLT 1/3 of available time from receipt.
7. Recon: Must complete before OPORD if possible.

One-Third / Two-Third Rule:

Use no more than one-third of available time for your own planning process. Leave two-thirds for subordinate planning, preparation, and rehearsal.

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Step 6: Civil Considerations (C)

Purpose: Understand how the civilian environment affects operations and how operations affect civilians.

ASCOPE Framework:

Factor	Questions
A — Areas	What civilian zones, cultural sites, or restricted areas affect COA options?
S — Structures	What buildings are key (hospitals, mosques, NGO facilities) and have protected status or tactical value?
C — Capabilities	What local resources (generators, vehicles, labor, medical facilities) are available to support or could be exploited by the enemy?
O — Organizations	What NGOs, government agencies, tribal structures, or criminal networks operate in the AO?
P — People	Who are the key leaders? What is the population's disposition (friendly, neutral, hostile)?
E — Events	What civilian events (markets, religious observances, elections) will affect timing or access?

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Synthesizing the Analysis

After completing all six factors, produce:

1. Restated Mission (from M)
2. EMLCOA / EMDCOA (from E)
3. Key Terrain and Critical Obstacles (from T/terrain)
4. CCIR — the information gaps that, if answered, change the decision (from E + T + C)
5. Limiting Factors (from T/troops)
6. Timeline feasibility check (from T/time)
7. Civil-Military constraints (from C)

This output directly feeds COA development — the next step in the MDMP.