CGSC X100 EXAM LATEST ACTUAL EXAM 110 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Foundations of Strategic Leadership | Key Domains: Strategic Thinking & Art of Design, Unified
Land Operations & Joint Functions, Doctrine & Mission Command, Leadership in a Complex World,
Ethical Reasoning & Military Professionalism, Operational Variables & Mission Analysis, and
Communication for Strategic Effect | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready Format
Introduction
This structured CGSC X100 Exam for 2026/2027 provides 110 high-quality exam-style questions
with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes the application of U.S. Army doctrine
(ADP/ADRP), the development of critical and creative thinking skills for complex problem-solving,
ethical decision-making in operational contexts, and the principles of leadership required for
planning and executing unified land operations at the strategic level.
Answer Format
All correct answers appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales explaining
the doctrinal reference, the strategic leadership principle, the appropriate application of operational
art, or the ethical guideline, and why alternative options are doctrinally incorrect, strategically
unsound, or ethically questionable.
1. According to ADP 3-0, Unified Land Operations, the Army’s basic warfighting doctrine is
centered on what two core competencies?
a) Lethality and survivability
b) Combined arms maneuver and wide area security
c) Offense and defense
, d) Initiative and agility
ADP 3-0 identifies combined arms maneuver (to defeat enemies) and wide area security (to protect
populations and terrain) as the Army’s two core competencies. These enable the Army to seize, retain,
and exploit the initiative in unified land operations.
2. The “Art of Design” in military planning emphasizes:
a) Rigid adherence to MDMP timelines
b) Framing complex problems through critical and creative thinking before applying
structured processes
c) Delegating planning to junior staff
d) Prioritizing technology over human judgment
As outlined in ADP 5-0, the Art of Design fosters deep understanding of complex operational
environments by encouraging commanders and staff to question assumptions, explore perspectives,
and develop operational approaches before engaging in detailed planning like MDMP.
3. Mission Command, as defined in ADP 6-0, is best described as:
a) Centralized control with decentralized execution
b) The exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to
enable disciplined initiative
c) Strict adherence to the commander’s intent without deviation
d) A communication protocol for joint operations
Mission Command empowers subordinates to act within the commander’s intent by fostering trust,
shared understanding, and disciplined initiative. It is not about rigid control but enabling agile,
adaptive execution in complex environments.
,4. Which of the following is a key principle of Mission Command?
a) Centralized decision-making
b) Build cohesive teams through mutual trust
c) Minimize risk at all costs
d) Require detailed orders for every action
ADP 6-0 lists six principles of Mission Command, with “build cohesive teams through mutual trust” as
foundational. Others include creating shared understanding, providing clear commander’s intent, and
accepting prudent risk.
5. The operational variable “PMESII-PT” includes all of the following EXCEPT:
a) Political
b) Military
c) Economic
d) Tactical
PMESII-PT stands for Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical
Environment, and Time. “Tactical” is a level of war, not an operational variable used to analyze the
operational environment.
6. In ethical decision-making, the “moral exemplar” approach emphasizes:
a) Following rules strictly
b) Emulating the character and virtues of respected leaders
c) Calculating consequences only
, d) Seeking legal counsel before acting
As taught in CGSC, virtue ethics (moral exemplar model) focuses on developing character traits like
courage, integrity, and selfless service—modeling behavior after ethical leaders rather than relying
solely on rules or outcomes.
7. According to ADP 1, The Army, what is the Army’s primary purpose?
a) To support civil authorities
b) To organize, train, and equip forces for prompt and sustained combat operations
c) To conduct humanitarian assistance
d) To deter all forms of conflict
ADP 1 states the Army’s fundamental purpose is to fight and win the nation’s wars through prompt
and sustained land combat, as part of the joint force. All other missions are secondary to this core
warfighting function.
8. Which joint function integrates all other functions to achieve objectives?
a) Fires
b) Command and Control (C2)
c) Intelligence
d) Sustainment
Per JP 3-0, Command and Control is the joint function that integrates and synchronizes all other
functions (Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, and Sustainment) to achieve
mission objectives through leadership and decision-making.
9. The “commander’s intent” should clearly communicate:
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Foundations of Strategic Leadership | Key Domains: Strategic Thinking & Art of Design, Unified
Land Operations & Joint Functions, Doctrine & Mission Command, Leadership in a Complex World,
Ethical Reasoning & Military Professionalism, Operational Variables & Mission Analysis, and
Communication for Strategic Effect | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready Format
Introduction
This structured CGSC X100 Exam for 2026/2027 provides 110 high-quality exam-style questions
with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes the application of U.S. Army doctrine
(ADP/ADRP), the development of critical and creative thinking skills for complex problem-solving,
ethical decision-making in operational contexts, and the principles of leadership required for
planning and executing unified land operations at the strategic level.
Answer Format
All correct answers appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales explaining
the doctrinal reference, the strategic leadership principle, the appropriate application of operational
art, or the ethical guideline, and why alternative options are doctrinally incorrect, strategically
unsound, or ethically questionable.
1. According to ADP 3-0, Unified Land Operations, the Army’s basic warfighting doctrine is
centered on what two core competencies?
a) Lethality and survivability
b) Combined arms maneuver and wide area security
c) Offense and defense
, d) Initiative and agility
ADP 3-0 identifies combined arms maneuver (to defeat enemies) and wide area security (to protect
populations and terrain) as the Army’s two core competencies. These enable the Army to seize, retain,
and exploit the initiative in unified land operations.
2. The “Art of Design” in military planning emphasizes:
a) Rigid adherence to MDMP timelines
b) Framing complex problems through critical and creative thinking before applying
structured processes
c) Delegating planning to junior staff
d) Prioritizing technology over human judgment
As outlined in ADP 5-0, the Art of Design fosters deep understanding of complex operational
environments by encouraging commanders and staff to question assumptions, explore perspectives,
and develop operational approaches before engaging in detailed planning like MDMP.
3. Mission Command, as defined in ADP 6-0, is best described as:
a) Centralized control with decentralized execution
b) The exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to
enable disciplined initiative
c) Strict adherence to the commander’s intent without deviation
d) A communication protocol for joint operations
Mission Command empowers subordinates to act within the commander’s intent by fostering trust,
shared understanding, and disciplined initiative. It is not about rigid control but enabling agile,
adaptive execution in complex environments.
,4. Which of the following is a key principle of Mission Command?
a) Centralized decision-making
b) Build cohesive teams through mutual trust
c) Minimize risk at all costs
d) Require detailed orders for every action
ADP 6-0 lists six principles of Mission Command, with “build cohesive teams through mutual trust” as
foundational. Others include creating shared understanding, providing clear commander’s intent, and
accepting prudent risk.
5. The operational variable “PMESII-PT” includes all of the following EXCEPT:
a) Political
b) Military
c) Economic
d) Tactical
PMESII-PT stands for Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical
Environment, and Time. “Tactical” is a level of war, not an operational variable used to analyze the
operational environment.
6. In ethical decision-making, the “moral exemplar” approach emphasizes:
a) Following rules strictly
b) Emulating the character and virtues of respected leaders
c) Calculating consequences only
, d) Seeking legal counsel before acting
As taught in CGSC, virtue ethics (moral exemplar model) focuses on developing character traits like
courage, integrity, and selfless service—modeling behavior after ethical leaders rather than relying
solely on rules or outcomes.
7. According to ADP 1, The Army, what is the Army’s primary purpose?
a) To support civil authorities
b) To organize, train, and equip forces for prompt and sustained combat operations
c) To conduct humanitarian assistance
d) To deter all forms of conflict
ADP 1 states the Army’s fundamental purpose is to fight and win the nation’s wars through prompt
and sustained land combat, as part of the joint force. All other missions are secondary to this core
warfighting function.
8. Which joint function integrates all other functions to achieve objectives?
a) Fires
b) Command and Control (C2)
c) Intelligence
d) Sustainment
Per JP 3-0, Command and Control is the joint function that integrates and synchronizes all other
functions (Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, and Sustainment) to achieve
mission objectives through leadership and decision-making.
9. The “commander’s intent” should clearly communicate:
