SNCOA Test 3 Study Guide 2026 – Questions,
Answers & Key Concepts
Policy (The what) - correct answers -is guidance that is directive or instructive, stating what is to be
accomplished. It reflects a conscious choice to pursue certain avenues and not others
'what needs to be done' and all org are driven by 'i.e. reporting hours, dress&appearance standards,
tech procedures, standard procedures
-based on admin mental image of the world
-at our nations highest level originates from Pres. and SECDEF
-guidance that is directive and instructive
-fluctuates and flexible
-stems form national leadership; politics and money
-expressed via NSS and within military operations as ROEs 'who can kill/not kill
Strategy (The How) - correct answers --the art and science of developing and employing instruments of
national power in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater, national, and/or
multinational policy objectives
-conducted to achieve national interests
-originates in policy and addresses broad objectives, designs/plans to achieve them
-plan of action, matches a means to an end
-'what are realities of situation that may dictate the use or deviation from doctrine" "-elements that
could effect outcome of operation we cannot control? "
Ex: Island Hopping-how to defeat Japanese Military WWII
Area of Consensus - correct answers -Fundamental National goals the U.S. should be seeking in order
establish our national security
1
,-Goal of: Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty (in some form) found in the NSS or Security, Prosperity, and
values
National Security Strategy (NSS) - correct answers -There are several that address our nation's strategic
goals. Development process:
-National Security Council (NSC) is Presidents forum for considering national security and foreign policy
matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials; coordinates policies among
various governmental agencies.
-Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS): statutory military advisor to the council and director of national
intelligence is intel advisor; meetings include MGMT Budget, Pres. of economic policy, etc
Overall process of initiating, controlling, developing, writing, and publishing the NSS resides with
Assistant to president for national security affairs who leads NSC staff: provides guidance what is
important to our nation, and gives our nation as well as others an idea of how our instruments of
national power will be used or employed based on world situation at the time.
National Defense Stategy - correct answers -Department of Defense (if SECDEF desires) can have a
complementing strategy to the NSS. Not required. The NDS will support the NSS by establishing a set of
overarching defense objectives that guide DOD's security activities and provide direction for the national
Military Strategy. Links between military activities and those other government agencies in pursuit of
national goals
National Military Strategy (NMS) - correct answers -signed by the CJCS and supports the aims of the NSS
and implements the NDS. Describes Armed Forces plan to achieve military objectives in the near term
and provides the vision for ensuring they remain decisive in the future. Outlines military role in
achieving national objectives or areas of consensus.
Development of Policy - correct answers -President-> NSC->NSC->NSS->NDS->NMS
Doctrine (The playbook) - correct answers -presents considerations on how to accomplish military goals
and objectives. It is a storehouse of analyzed experience and wisdom. Military Doctrine is authoritative
but unlike policy, is not directive.
2
,-Football reference: once evaluate/assess other team SOP, or ROEs they go to their own playbook and
identify strategies previously used to counteract those SOPs/ROEs; Lessons learned; how we have
learned over time as the best way to accomplish a given task
Joint Doctrine - correct answers -is the overarching guidance and it is a bridge between policy and
doctrine employment of the Armed Forces of the United States. Represents what is taught, believed,
and advocated as what is right. Joint Doctrine presents fundamental principles that guide the
employment of U.S. Military forces. Purpose to enhance operational effectiveness of U.S. Forces. to get
us all on same page if we are to fight as an integrated force; Standardize terminology, training,
relationships, responsibilities, and processes among all U.S. Forces to free Joint Forces Commander
Operational Art - correct answers -the use of creative thinking by commanders and staffs to design
strategies, campaigns, and major operations and organize and employ military forces; Promotes unified
action by encouraging JFCs and staffs to consider the capabilities/actions. Requires a broad vision, the
ability to anticipate, and the skill to plan, prepare, execute and assess. Helps commanders order their
thoughts and understand the conditions for victory before seeking battle. Without it, events would be
disconnected. Commander is central figure in Ops Art and CC compare similarities of existing situation
with own experiences/history to require solutions.
Operational Art Elements - correct answers -Such as logistics and technology to name only a couple are
which a commander has some degree of control
Contextual Elements - correct answers -ours and enemy political systems, the physical environment and
enemy's/our national leadership to name just a few that commander has little to no control over.
Regardless, it must be taken into account when devising strategy
Considerations with operational art - correct answers --what are objectives and desired end state (end)?
-what sequence of actions is most likely to achieve those objectives and end state (ways)?
-What resources are required to accomplish that sequence of actions? (means)
-What is the likely chance of failure or unacceptable results in performing that sequence of actions?
(risk)
3
, Operational Design - correct answers -conception/construction of the framework that underpins a joint
operation plan and its subsequent execution. Key: understanding strategic guidance (determining end
state and objectives), adversary's strengths/weaknesses, developing operational concept that will
achieve strategic/operational objectives. Extends Ops Art with creative process that helps CC and
planners answer the ends-ways-means-risk questions. They are the individual tools that help the JFC
visualize and describe broad operational approach. How to approach a task (Strategy).
2. Sometimes commanders use their knowledge, experience, and skills to respond with actions to
assist during operations. Commanders have to consider certain elements they have little or no control
over, but must nonetheless take into account when devising Strategy.
This scenario BEST illustrates the differences between ___________.
a. Operational Art and Contextual Elements
b. Operational Art and Operational Design
c. Contextual Elements and Operational Design - correct answers -a. CORRECT: According to Operational
Art, it uses the application of creative imagination by commanders and staffs—supported by their
knowledge and experience, and skills—
to design strategies, campaigns, and major operations and organize and employ military
forces. Contextual Elements such as ours and the enemy's Political Systems, the physical
environment and the enemy's/our national leadership to name just a few are elements
the Commander has little or no control over, but must nonetheless take into account when
devising Strategy. See rationale for correct response for additional information.
3 areas of Range of Military Operations - correct answers -Military Engagement, Security Cooperation,
and Deterrence: Ongoing routine activities that establish, shape, maintain and refine relations with
other nations and domestic civil authorities (state govn. or local law enforcement); With Ongoing
Limited contingency operations, major ops, and campaigns
4
Answers & Key Concepts
Policy (The what) - correct answers -is guidance that is directive or instructive, stating what is to be
accomplished. It reflects a conscious choice to pursue certain avenues and not others
'what needs to be done' and all org are driven by 'i.e. reporting hours, dress&appearance standards,
tech procedures, standard procedures
-based on admin mental image of the world
-at our nations highest level originates from Pres. and SECDEF
-guidance that is directive and instructive
-fluctuates and flexible
-stems form national leadership; politics and money
-expressed via NSS and within military operations as ROEs 'who can kill/not kill
Strategy (The How) - correct answers --the art and science of developing and employing instruments of
national power in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater, national, and/or
multinational policy objectives
-conducted to achieve national interests
-originates in policy and addresses broad objectives, designs/plans to achieve them
-plan of action, matches a means to an end
-'what are realities of situation that may dictate the use or deviation from doctrine" "-elements that
could effect outcome of operation we cannot control? "
Ex: Island Hopping-how to defeat Japanese Military WWII
Area of Consensus - correct answers -Fundamental National goals the U.S. should be seeking in order
establish our national security
1
,-Goal of: Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty (in some form) found in the NSS or Security, Prosperity, and
values
National Security Strategy (NSS) - correct answers -There are several that address our nation's strategic
goals. Development process:
-National Security Council (NSC) is Presidents forum for considering national security and foreign policy
matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials; coordinates policies among
various governmental agencies.
-Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS): statutory military advisor to the council and director of national
intelligence is intel advisor; meetings include MGMT Budget, Pres. of economic policy, etc
Overall process of initiating, controlling, developing, writing, and publishing the NSS resides with
Assistant to president for national security affairs who leads NSC staff: provides guidance what is
important to our nation, and gives our nation as well as others an idea of how our instruments of
national power will be used or employed based on world situation at the time.
National Defense Stategy - correct answers -Department of Defense (if SECDEF desires) can have a
complementing strategy to the NSS. Not required. The NDS will support the NSS by establishing a set of
overarching defense objectives that guide DOD's security activities and provide direction for the national
Military Strategy. Links between military activities and those other government agencies in pursuit of
national goals
National Military Strategy (NMS) - correct answers -signed by the CJCS and supports the aims of the NSS
and implements the NDS. Describes Armed Forces plan to achieve military objectives in the near term
and provides the vision for ensuring they remain decisive in the future. Outlines military role in
achieving national objectives or areas of consensus.
Development of Policy - correct answers -President-> NSC->NSC->NSS->NDS->NMS
Doctrine (The playbook) - correct answers -presents considerations on how to accomplish military goals
and objectives. It is a storehouse of analyzed experience and wisdom. Military Doctrine is authoritative
but unlike policy, is not directive.
2
,-Football reference: once evaluate/assess other team SOP, or ROEs they go to their own playbook and
identify strategies previously used to counteract those SOPs/ROEs; Lessons learned; how we have
learned over time as the best way to accomplish a given task
Joint Doctrine - correct answers -is the overarching guidance and it is a bridge between policy and
doctrine employment of the Armed Forces of the United States. Represents what is taught, believed,
and advocated as what is right. Joint Doctrine presents fundamental principles that guide the
employment of U.S. Military forces. Purpose to enhance operational effectiveness of U.S. Forces. to get
us all on same page if we are to fight as an integrated force; Standardize terminology, training,
relationships, responsibilities, and processes among all U.S. Forces to free Joint Forces Commander
Operational Art - correct answers -the use of creative thinking by commanders and staffs to design
strategies, campaigns, and major operations and organize and employ military forces; Promotes unified
action by encouraging JFCs and staffs to consider the capabilities/actions. Requires a broad vision, the
ability to anticipate, and the skill to plan, prepare, execute and assess. Helps commanders order their
thoughts and understand the conditions for victory before seeking battle. Without it, events would be
disconnected. Commander is central figure in Ops Art and CC compare similarities of existing situation
with own experiences/history to require solutions.
Operational Art Elements - correct answers -Such as logistics and technology to name only a couple are
which a commander has some degree of control
Contextual Elements - correct answers -ours and enemy political systems, the physical environment and
enemy's/our national leadership to name just a few that commander has little to no control over.
Regardless, it must be taken into account when devising strategy
Considerations with operational art - correct answers --what are objectives and desired end state (end)?
-what sequence of actions is most likely to achieve those objectives and end state (ways)?
-What resources are required to accomplish that sequence of actions? (means)
-What is the likely chance of failure or unacceptable results in performing that sequence of actions?
(risk)
3
, Operational Design - correct answers -conception/construction of the framework that underpins a joint
operation plan and its subsequent execution. Key: understanding strategic guidance (determining end
state and objectives), adversary's strengths/weaknesses, developing operational concept that will
achieve strategic/operational objectives. Extends Ops Art with creative process that helps CC and
planners answer the ends-ways-means-risk questions. They are the individual tools that help the JFC
visualize and describe broad operational approach. How to approach a task (Strategy).
2. Sometimes commanders use their knowledge, experience, and skills to respond with actions to
assist during operations. Commanders have to consider certain elements they have little or no control
over, but must nonetheless take into account when devising Strategy.
This scenario BEST illustrates the differences between ___________.
a. Operational Art and Contextual Elements
b. Operational Art and Operational Design
c. Contextual Elements and Operational Design - correct answers -a. CORRECT: According to Operational
Art, it uses the application of creative imagination by commanders and staffs—supported by their
knowledge and experience, and skills—
to design strategies, campaigns, and major operations and organize and employ military
forces. Contextual Elements such as ours and the enemy's Political Systems, the physical
environment and the enemy's/our national leadership to name just a few are elements
the Commander has little or no control over, but must nonetheless take into account when
devising Strategy. See rationale for correct response for additional information.
3 areas of Range of Military Operations - correct answers -Military Engagement, Security Cooperation,
and Deterrence: Ongoing routine activities that establish, shape, maintain and refine relations with
other nations and domestic civil authorities (state govn. or local law enforcement); With Ongoing
Limited contingency operations, major ops, and campaigns
4
